Living out one’s purpose is the greatest accomplishment. Nothing takes precedence over staying committed to your Purpose Search. “Your work is to discover your world, and then with all your heart give yourself to it” (Buddha). Don’t settle. In your Purpose Search – or really anything – you’ve got to be picky. If your job is not 10/10 for you, keep on searching. Don’t let fear pause your search, or cloud your judgment. People often convince themselves “everything is alright” when things are not “alright” – and that is especially true with work. You have to get out of your head because sometimes following your heart means losing your mind. As Swami Vivekananda once stated, “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.” Our physical lives are temporary, so we might as well follow what will outlive it.
Steve Jobs (9:59) – “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoiding the trap you have something to lose. You are already naked; there is no reason not to follow your heart.”
The above quote touches on the irrational fear of following your heart – as if losing potential surface-level things outweighs the loss of deeper-level things such as peace of mind and authenticity – which you acquire through following your heart. People can’t be scared to be led by internal visions, and not by external visions. For me, my career path is unique and may not make sense on paper. But as Steve Jobs once explained, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards … ” (5:07). I have NO DOUBT my dots will connect how they are destined to because I know I’m on my true path. I’m committed to my purpose search. And there’s a certain “whatever happens – happens” mentality developed when you follow your heart. There’s no worries, no stress, etc. because nothing – no thing – can bump you off the road. Even if a storm damages your outer world, your inner world will always stay intact. So, follow your heart. Look inward and never stop searching for why you are here on this earth. You’ll find it when you’re meant to.
Jacob Nordby – “You know how every once in a while you do something and the little voice inside says, ‘There. That’s it. That’s why you’re here.’ … and you get a warm glow in your heart because you know it’s true? Do more of that.”
Steve Jobs (8:21) – “You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for work as it is for your lovers. Your work is gonna’ fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it … (12:31) … Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
– ML Inspired