In a search of the meaning of life we think that it is written somewhere and is hidden from us. Therefore, we are looking for it as if someday we are to find a little treasure chest. Inside that treasure chest there will be a script with our name on it and it will say something like
Dear Dmitry. The meaning of your life is…
Thinking about the meaning of our lives brings about thoughts that are empowering as well as dis-empowering. Many like to focus on the dis-empowering, negative thoughts. Being a product of the negative bias, so prevalent in a Western society, we like to dwell on negativity and share it willingly.
Let me assure you that there is no treasure chest with a written script in it. Also, thinking negatively about your life and dwelling on the past will not speed up the process of finding its meaning. I will risk the criticism and say that scripting the meaning of your life is not that much different than writing your personal mission statement.
Personal mission statement writing forces us to think about our long term goals and who we want to become. It is a discovery process of our values and roles that brings together positive habits, character traits, and action in one positive, forward looking statement. Once written, personal mission statement is a road map to a more fulfilling, meaningful life.
Work that is required to write a mission statement cannot be done by someone else. You cannot have an outline of your mission statement and give it to someone to write a draft. Unless you start writing, all the great ideas floating inside your head will remain inside your head. Unless you start writing, the page will remain blank.
I know many people who have not written a mission statement. They do not keep a journal. Yet, these are great professionals, caring parents, and college students. They live happy lives and contribute to the well-being of their family and of their community. A written statement is not, by any means, a requirement. It is rather an exercise in times of uncertainty.
Life coaching can help you to get clarity around meaning of your life. The important aspect of life coaching is that when the coach asks you questions, there will be no right or wrong answers. The answers you provide are based on what you know at the moment and what are your current values. As you engage in a journey towards your new goals, the learning and discovery processes will bring forth what will be important for you and you will start looking at your actions from the stand point of an alignment to your values. You will start seeing a total picture like a bird flying thousands of feet above the ground. Imagine that!
