Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what you're supposed to do in life? Something that makes your heart sing, that puts a fire under your belly? Well, you're not alone.
Ancient yoga texts tell us that we have no purpose, in the sense, we don’t have to do or be anything. Deeply philosophical, yes, when you break it down and examine it. But try telling a Westerner living in a fast-paced society that they don’t need a purpose! The minds of those in Western culture are materialistic based. It gets tied up in knots. I’d agree with the yoga texts but I also see that a purpose is what will help people to untangle the knots of their complicated minds.
Life purpose doesn’t have to be one central idea; there can be strands to it. A mind map is a really useful tool to visually organise your thoughts. It starts with a central idea, in this case, purpose and branches out into related ideas, questions and experiences.
It works because it mimics the way our brains naturally think: associatively rather than linearly. That makes it a powerful tool for introspection
Step 1:
Write the word “Purpose” (or “My Purpose”) in the middle of your page and draw a circle around it. This is your anchor.
Step 2:
From the centre, draw 4–6 thick branches labelled with key life themes such as:
Passions
Values
Strengths
Life Experiences
People Who Inspire Me
Dreams/Visions
Step 3:
Now add thoughts, memories, or ideas to each category. Let your mind wander freely.
Under Passions: Writing, mentoring, travelling
Under Values: Authenticity, growth, connection
Under Life Experiences: Studied abroad, overcame anxiety, taught kids
There are no wrong answers—just let the ideas flow.
After 15–20 minutes of brainstorming, pause and step back. Ask yourself, which branches feel most full? Do certain themes repeat across different branches? What energises me when I read this back?
Maybe you notice your love for storytelling (Passions), your time teaching (Life Experiences), and your natural ability to connect with others (Values). That might point toward a purpose in teaching adults or children.
On July 7th Finding Purpose online course will open in WriteWell for 4 short weeks. You can subscribe today and enjoy 2 free weeks of writing for wellbeing.
