If you are an introvert, you need a purpose. No matter where you are in life right now, you will keep feeling unfulfilled. Like something is missing.
You know why?
Because you’re a thinker. You feel life very deeply. Every life experience leaves an impression on your soul. You have the mind of a psychologist and the soul of a philosopher. You have ideas and insights bubbling inside you 24/7. How can you not express all of that?
With so much inside your mind, you need a medium to express it. It’s like raw material accumulating inside you day after day. Like clay for a sculptor. And creating something with this raw material is what ultimately gives meaning to your life. That becomes your life’s purpose.
But most people struggle to find it. I was no different. It was right in front of my eyes, but I just couldn’t see it.
Today I will share with you the biggest mistake people make that keeps them from finding their true life’s purpose.
I will get straight to the point. The reason is: getting influenced by other people.
Let me explain.
Humans learn from imitation (copying others). As children, we learn to smile, laugh, walk, eat, wave, clap, and talk through copying our parents. Or what they teach us. Now the problem is that even as adults this habit of imitation continues to control our lives.
You see a rockstar with long hair and torn jeans and we start dressing like them. Our mind copies what it feels will earn us love, respect, admiration, validation, or compliments from others.
You know why?
Because when you were little and you copied correctly what your parents taught you, they gave you a “Good boy! or Good girl!”, and your mind still craves it.
Remember this: there is a big difference between getting inspired and getting influenced. When you’re inspired you do your own thing with your heart and soul. On the other hand, when you’re influenced, you blindly copy someone thinking it will also give you what they have.
No. It won’t.
Imitation is a necessary skill. For example, if you want to learn to operate a camera and take a beautiful picture, you need imitation to understand the mechanism of the camera. But the real question is: Do you even want to become a photographer?
Why invest your time and energy into something that’s not you.
We’re living in a digital age. We are surrounded by the media 24/7. And getting influenced by a strong internet personality who has millions of followers is very common. Because they have the social proof of thousands agreeing with them. And it becomes nearly impossible to question their authority.
This makes you doubt your own reason. You get confused. You start overthinking. You become fearful. You lose confidence in your own decision-making.
And ultimately you reach a point where you start questioning yourself: “Am I even on the right path?”
Realize that if you’re blindly copying someone, it can never be your true purpose. Yes it can make you some money. Yes it can earn you fans. Yes it can give you all the validation your ego desires. But it will never satisfy your soul.
If that’s all you desire, copy all you want. But if you want to walk the path of greatness, you have to follow the voice of your soul.
You just need to follow these 3 life principles, and trust me, it will show you your true purpose:
1. Keep your reason steady
When you want to make an important decision, don’t jump straight to Google. Or start searching what other successful people in your field are doing.
The first step is to do your own thinking. Use your brain. Use your reason. As an introvert, you have exceptional analytical and reasoning skills. Use your intelligence to figure out what’s the best option and best strategy for you.
And finally, when you have reached a conclusion using your own reason, stick with it. No matter what other people say. No matter what the experts say. No matter what the influencer with 5 million followers says. Do not let anyone change your mind.
Trust your reason. And keep it steady like a lighthouse surrounded by crashing waves.
2. Practice indifference
I know it’s hard. Not caring what people say or think and just doing your own thing is not easy. But you cannot find your true purpose until you learn the art of not giving a shit.
Read whatever you want. Watch whatever you want. Look up to whoever you want, but don’t let any of those things influence you.
Indifference is one of the most crucial values one can cultivate. In chapter 10 of my book ‘Born to Stand Out’, I’ve given 3 Powerful Core-values of successful introverts. One of three core values is practice indifference.
Listen to everyone, but do what your own reason says.
3. Detached action
The last step is taking action. Don’t overthink it.
When you’re overthinking it’s a clear sign that you’re afraid whether you’ll get the fruits of your action or not.
In the holy book Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna says,
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi
– Chapter 2, verse 47
Which translates to: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
Just act. Fall in love with action. In the doing of things. And when you perform the action with all your heart and soul, naturally the results will be extraordinary. It’s common sense.
You’re built different. You have a purpose. Finding it is creating it.
Follow your own path. Do your own thing. Dance to the song of your soul.
Stay blessed,
Karun