Discover Your True Purpose by Rita Obi

Have you ever experienced that feeling of incompletion?  Everything seems right externally. You've got a good job, your finances are in order, your business is flourishing, your friends are amazing, and you’ve got a good man by your side! Although life seems great, there’s still a feeling of emptiness that lies within you. You know there’s something missing, but you can't put your finger on it.

You're searching for your purpose. You're trying to figure out what your "WHY " is on this earth. You've probably attempted to pursue a career in medicine, law, nursing, etc. and realized it wasn’t your cup of tea. Or maybe you've even tried pursuing a career in event planning, retail, beauty, and many other business ventures that seem successful for other women. But you weren’t really into it.  And guess what? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Don’t settle, keep digging! 

Here are four tips that will help you find you purpose:

1.     Listen To Your Life 

Listening to your life is a matter of observing ongoing patterns of feelings or emotions. Pay attention to these signs. If there is a feeling of emptiness within you, don't ignore it, confront it! Outings, retail therapy, or going on a million dates will not fill that void!  Stay still for once in your life. Take some alone time out of your life to self-reflect and listen to your thoughts. This step will force you to confront your fears and embrace your strengths. More importantly, it will trigger growth.

2. Listen to Your Dissatisfaction 

You are not satisfied with where you are in life for multiple reasons. Acknowledge these reasons, accept them and work on them! Transform this frustration into motivation by doing the work that needs to be done to live a life of satisfaction.  For instance, you may realize the profession you're in isn't as fulfilling as it once was. You want more! This desire for change and growth will push you to discover your talents.

3. Listen to Your Gifts

Stop ignoring what you are great at. Yes, I know, you’re getting that degree to make your family proud. But remember, it’s your life. Start embracing your gifts. Everyone tells you how great you are at something and you push it to the back burner because you're scared of taking risks. You've become so afraid of being judged or talked about that you've started neglecting your gifts. 

Your family thinks you’re silly for pursuing a career in writing and the thought of you pursuing a career in fashion design is intimidating because of the competition. Stop doubting your potential to succeed!

Embrace your  magnificence! Your gifts and talents are entirely unique to you and your purpose in this world.  If you’re good at it, go for it.  Perfect your gift, plan it ( strategically of course) , and shoot for the stars. This gift may create doorways of opportunity for you!

4. Listen to Your Passion

You know exactly what you’re passionate about. It’s that “thing” that brings you joy, excitement, and a sudden adrenaline rush. You can easily envision yourself spending the rest of your life doing this “thing.” But because you want to "play it safe", you call it a hobby. You’ve allowed your fear of failure to convince yourself that you are content. Cut it out ladies! Don't call it a hobby, it's your passion!   Overlooking your passion will simply cultivate a life of regret. 

You were destined to do something much greater than what you are doing now. But you will only find out once you open your eyes and heart. Listen to your heart and inner wisdom. It may feel slightly uncomfortable, but that’s a good thing! Explore that passion further and see how things may go! As long as you are patient with the process, you’ll be a few steps closer to your purpose.

Rita Obi, MPH is the founder of @buildingyou, a consulting business that works with nonprofit startups to develop programs, workshops, and events suitable to their persona, in an effort to secure funding. She has over 7 years of experience providing consulting services and training to nonprofits startups in areas of program planning and fundraising. She has served organizations in New York such as Children's Hospital At Montefiore, New York City Food Policy Center and organizations in Nigeria such as UR4 Africa and Head Start Private School .

Rita is also a humanitarian and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of the educational nonprofit organization, @korfoundation, , a nonprofit organization that provides social and academic support to students in rural villages of Nigeria and the U.S Marketing Executive Director for @crystalcourtlekki, a luxury hotel in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria.

General instagram page is @oluchi_ob