Ana Tampanna

So what is your purpose?

Two years ago, my biggest challenge was how to resist the call of computer games.

“Just one more,” I would tell myself, aware that I was falling prey to an addiction.

Playing computer games was not really the problem, it was a symptom. A symptom of boredom, a result of poor planning, and avoidance for feelings of overwhelm and failure regarding my flailing business. The one thing I was crystal clear about, was my purpose: I’m a people developer. But first, I had to develop myself. Again.

So for an entire year, I threw myself into pursuing breakthroughs, networking with new people, and learning everything I could learn about business. I hired coaches, bartered for coaches, and enrolled in seminars. I drove for miles, seeking new groups to visit, people to meet, and markets to explore. I listened to CDs, podcasts, and lectures. I read books, blogs, and more books.

It is easy to stay in a slump, to ruminate over questions like, “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why am I not smart enough?”  or to resign oneself to self- defeating thoughts such as, “I’m too old,” “I can’t keep up,” “technology is not for me.”

But anchoring oneself in “learner mode,” then meeting  people, groups, and more people, results in ultimately finding a place for one’s purpose. The treasures rolled in slowly at first, then picked up speed. I met amazing coaches, experts who either facilitated a breakthrough for me, or who accepted an invitation to work with me as a team. I discovered new aspects of myself, broke barriers of personal biases that weren’t serving me, and even rediscovered my dad’s legacy of leadership.

Finally, I negotiated a relationship with two owners of an exciting business concept. I mustered up all my courage, then took some big risks, and offered my own intuitive wisdom….combined with bits and pieces of great learnings from the past year. I’m now racing ahead, totally on track, immersed in pursuing my purpose.

Here are a few tips for finding YOUR purpose. Start out asking yourself questions such as:

• What do you know you are good at? Your talents, special gifts, and abilities?
• What experiences left you deeply satisfied in the past?
• What talents run in your family?
• What industry to you feel drawn to?
• Who do you want to serve? What do you want to rectify? What would you like to create or build?
• What do you need to learn to survive in this economy?
• How can you increase your value?
• What kinds of people around you maximize your strengths?
• Where do you need to have a breakthrough?

The next step is to create a learning plan for yourself:

• Read books on leadership (a way to increase your effectiveness;)
• Read Success Magazine and other forward thinking business magazines;
• Interview people;
• Visit groups and organizations…find one that is stimulating for you (not just comfortable;)
• Attend a conference that interests you. Offer to volunteer;
• Seek counseling. Ask your friends about life coaches;
• Write in a journal, asking yourself questions then writing for pages;
• Try a business coach.
• And make your health a BIG priority.

The main thing is to stay out there, and stay in “learner”’mode. Then have faith. You have a purpose, I promise you. You just need to find it. The process will bring you rich rewards…just be patient.