Your core purpose transcends everything else. It has nothing to do with your your past experience, skills, relationships, etc.
Think of it this way. If you went financially bankrupt, or went through a major divorce, or your spouse and kids all died in a tragic accident, or you became a quadriplegic, it should not affect your core purpose.
To that end, here’s an exercise to figure out your core purpose.
What motivates you on a daily basis to do what you do?
- Why is that important?
- Why does that matter?
- Why is it important?
- Why does that matter?
- Why is it important?
Once you have answered these questions, you have realized or at the very least come close to realizing your core purpose.
Ultimately, a core value will fall into 1 of 4 categories:
- Service to others
- Search for knowledge and truth
- Pursuit of beauty and excellence
- Desire to change the world