069: Living on Purpose or Merely Living?

069: Living on Purpose or Merely Living?
Photo by Shreesha bhat / Unsplash

"Ikigai" or "Plan De Vida?"

You might already be ahead of me and know their meaning.

Or I realize you might not be acquainted with either the Japanese or Spanish translations so I'll clue you in.

"Ikigai" is a Japanese word that translates to "a reason to live" or "a reason to jump out of bed in the morning."

"Plan De Vida" is the Spanish equivalent with a Costa Rican vibe that means: "life plan," or a deeper reference to one's "soul purpose" or "why I wake up each morning."

Let's carry those two words into our broader discussion here about what we will call - your "purpose."

Something gets you out of bed in the morning.

If you're on the younger side of the second-half era you might say, "I gotta get up and get out the door to work."

Or if you're in the middle of the second-half pack you might think, "I'm retired so today's adventure awaits..."

And if you're on the older, more legacy-conscious side of the second-half crowd you might be thinking, "I welcome each sunrise as another golden day to be alive.

Purpose is like that: it follows you throughout your life - whatever era you're in.

But the deeper question: is your purpose truly compelling?

When aging lures you into lethargy its essential that you tap into a compelling purpose or you'll risk wasting what could be the best years of your life

A clear and compelling purpose enables you to live beyond merely existing or surviving.

  • Start doing what you love
  • Keep growing in what you do
  • Create something memorable

Do what you love

This isn't one of those coffee mug or T-shirt phrases.

It's way more fulfilling than a "pursue your passion" meme or statement.

By the time you reach mid-life you've likely ground through a major list of likes and dislikes.

Now's the time to narrow it down to what you actually love doing.

I've been a professional writer since 2006.

I began then to truly "like" what I do.

Now, all these years into it full time I can actually say I "love" the craft of writing.

I've done it for pay, have earned a good living (not always the case...but thankfully here I am), and still get paid to do it.

I would say I've entered a new zone or era of love for my skill (and not just because of the pay - though that's a major perk).

Does it get me out of bed in the morning, yes, because I still have clients who rely on my love for writing.

And I have other outlets (like what you're reading) that stoke my passion for writing.

There's purpose to what I do that exceeds merely liking it.

The Ikigai/Plan De Vida element compels you to ask some probing questions whatever aging era you're in.

  • What do you love doing?
  • What part of "do" is the most challenging or compelling for you?
  • What are the rewards for your action?

Let those questions introduce you to what could become the purposeful love-of-your-life.

Grow in what you're compelled to do

Personal growth relies on the actions you're compelled to take.

It's difficult to grow when you're unmotivated, idle, or inactive.

This is why a major theme in my content is movement.

Not just any, random movement - but rather intentional movement - physically, mentally, emotionally.

This begs the question about our previous point of "doing what you love": are you getting better...are you growing in what you love doing?

Baked into the Ikigai/Plan De Vida mindset is the idea of consistent, purposeful growth and improvement.

  • Take a course, subscribe to an online MasterClass, invest time on YouTube channels that are themed around your passions, interests, or hobbies.
  • Refuse to believe you've arrived or have acquired all the useful skills you need.
  • Stay insatiably curious about life, opportunity, and new ideas.

Create something lasting and memorable

Your purpose is in essence a creative process.

Living on purpose should naturally lead to beneficial outcomes.

Not only do the benefits compel your ongoing creativity but they flow outward into your legacy-stream.

As I've aged, I'm deeply aware of my legacy - that what I do, my personal growth initiatives, and my creative pursuits have the potential to extend way beyond my years.

That thought is one of the core reasons I create this newsletter each week.

This is one of my evergreen creations that I choose to publish as it reflects my perspective, growth, and experience.

It's a legacy-stream I'm sending out into the world.

I'm not suggesting you follow my path.

But I am challenging you to give thought to your own personal opportunities to create something of lasting value that will outlive you.

  • Journal your experiences or write a memoir
  • Take more photos of meaningful people, places, and moments.
  • Mentor someone who shares your "do-what-you-love" theme or someone who could benefit from your earned wisdom.
  • Live in creative-idea mode - believing that there's always a new and better way to do something.

You'll rest when you're done living...for now get up, get out of bed, and get moving...on purpose!

  • Start doing what you love
  • Keep growing in what you do
  • Create something memorable

Press on...

Eddie