Pay Attention, Find Your Purpose with Michelle Perry

Purpose is another buzzword with big meaning. There are so many workshops and workbooks intended to help you “Live Your Purpose” and I think that throws us because it makes us feel as though we’re doing something wrong if we are NOT living our purpose, which is hard because it feels like it takes a LOT of work to figure it out. That’s why episode 23 of The Positively Living Podcast is about finding your purpose by paying attention!

In this episode of The Positively Living Podcast, Michelle Perry is sharing the importance of paying attention and actionable steps you can take right now to discover your purpose.

Why are so many books and teachings focused around living our purpose in life? What does it even mean to live our purpose? That’s what we’re exploring today on the Positively Living Podcast. I am starting to think, though, that I need to title my episodes “the latest buzzword” because Purpose is yet another one of them. I can think of so many grand examples of trainings and workbooks intended to help you live your Purpose and I think that throws us all because it makes us feel as though 1) we’re doing something wrong if we are NOT living our purpose and 2) that it takes a LOT of work to figure it out. I don’t think either of those is true and neither does my guest today. Keep listening to find out the surprisingly simple way to find your purpose.

I was honored to be on Michelle Perry’s Successful Diligence podcast…twice! I was a fan of hers before we met because her smooth voice expressed a genuine desire to help others and to dig deep into concepts most people pass over, which if you’ve listened to this podcast, you know I love to do.

Michelle Perry offers a unique combination of skills from a lifetime of experiences and true resilience. After almost failing out of high school, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Social Work with an Education focus from Wheelock College, and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University. Her education and decades of experience in social work and in the corporate business world, combined with a life of victory over trauma and loss, and financial hardship has equipped and enhanced her skills as a Life Empowerment Coach. Michelle uses a skills-based cognitive behavioral empowerment approach to contribute to the journey of others who are able to see results and experience an increase in confidence and momentum in their lives.

The reason I wanted to talk to Michelle about this topic is that getting clear on your purpose has many benefits. I believe knowing your purpose brings meaning to your life. And when you believe in your purpose, you can be intentional in your choices. Your purpose is a filter for making choices, which is a decluttering approach I describe in episode 2 Declutter Your Life with the SIMPLE System. It’s amazing how resilient you can be when you can connect meaning to what you’re experiencing — even if it’s a true hardship. And it’s incredible how you show up — with energy and enthusiasm and focus — when you feel as though you are doing what you are meant to do. Even better, when you do show up this way, you are able to bring kindness to others to SEE them and acknowledge them, which is a precious gift.

Michelle believes we were born to share our gifts with other people and when we realize this, things will click for us. She reminds us that it doesn’t take much to make a difference and that “a smile could save someone’s life”. I think we need to embrace this philosophy even more as global stress rises and we experience trauma at every turn.

She also sees living your purpose as a process, which I love. One of the best features of a growth mindset is being focused on a process instead of a result, which James Clear mentions in his book Atomic Habits, so it’s good for habit development as well. And that is precisely how we’re approaching discovering your purpose.

Michelle and I talk about life purpose in a different way today…an accessible way. Our conversation covers a lot of ground but I think you’ll find it easy to follow because we highlight the simplicity throughout. She shares a bit about her life of pivots that came from paying attention…to clues…to conversations with those she loved…to her gut and her heart. She credits learning to pay attention as the reason she is doing what she loves today and the secret to discovering her purpose.

You’ll find out the #1 thing you need to do today to figure out your purpose, which — spoiler alert — involves stopping and paying attention. Michelle describes what to watch for and listen for and it reminds me so much of why we find value in meditation and prayer. I do believe in the quiet is where we find our answers and you can see this concept repeated in discussions of decluttering the mind and seeking quiet to create, featured in works such as Davd Allen’s Getting Things Done and Cal Newport’s Deep Work. Once again it’s all connected and I hope you find that connection with what we share and with your purpose.

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips to create space for what really matters in your life. If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!