Erasing vs. Embracing: Stop Overthinking Your Purpose and Start Owning It
We live in a world obsessed with perfect narratives—clean storylines that make us look like we always knew what we were doing. But the truth is, life is messy. Success is messy. Purpose is messy. And trying to erase that messiness? It’s a losing game.
The hard-fought lessons you’ve learned, the scars you carry, and the setbacks you’ve survived are not things to hide. They’re the very things that have prepared you for the role you were designed and designated to play. But too often, we waste time questioning ourselves, second-guessing our choices, and trying to clean up the messy parts of our story to fit some polished idea of purpose.
Here’s the truth: Your purpose isn’t a feeling or a dream you chase—it’s a role you step into. And it starts with owning your story, mess and all.
Forget “You Can Be Anything You Want”
We’ve all heard it: “You can be anything you want to be.” But let’s be real—you can’t. Purpose isn’t about chasing random passions or hobbies. It’s about recognizing what you’re built for and stepping into that role.
Purpose is clarity in action. It’s aligning your strengths, values, and capacity for growth with the work you do every day.
The role you’re designed and designated to play is already within you. But instead of leaning into that role, we often get distracted by comparison, doubt, and the pressure to look perfect. And when we do that, we miss the point entirely.
The Purpose Formula: Get a GRIP on Who You Are
Passion alone doesn’t equal purpose: After years of helping people work through their purpose, I’ve found that passion alone doesn’t get you there. Purpose is more than just doing what you love—it requires clarity, consistent effort, and alignment with who you are.
Here’s a simple formula to uncover and live out your purpose:
Proficiency + Priority + Pursuit + Potential + Passion = Purpose
When all five elements are aligned, they create clarity and meaningful impact, which leads to peace. Purpose isn’t about perfection; it’s about profitable outcomes—not just financial profit, but emotional and relational impact that matters.
Challenge: Stop Erasing, Start Embracing
Here’s your challenge: Stop scrubbing away what makes you unique. Instead, take an honest look at your life and assess where you stand in the Purpose Formula. Write down your answers to these questions:
Proficiency: What Are You Great At? It’s not enough to think you’re good at something—you need real, tangible evidence. When you’re exceptional at something, it shows. You stand out.
- What evidence or feedback confirms your skill?
Priority: What Matters Most to You? This isn’t about fleeting interests—it’s about what pulls you in, even when it’s hard. It’s the work you’re willing to push through because you know the payoff is worth it.
- Why is this goal or pursuit important to you beyond just interest?
Pursuit: Are You Consistently Putting in the Work? Purpose requires effort. It’s about actively improving and staying ahead. Purpose-driven people don’t wait for motivation—they put in the work daily.
- What steps are you taking to maintain your edge and stay relevant?
Potential: Are You Growing in a Meaningful Way? Purpose isn’t stagnant. It’s about pursuing paths where you can grow and where there’s demand for what you offer. Your purpose should evolve as you do.
- How does this path capitalize on your unique strengths?
Passion: Are You Emotionally Connected to Your Work? Passion isn’t a hobby—it’s a deep emotional commitment that drives you to keep going, even when it’s hard. It’s what makes your work meaningful.
- How do you show your dedication, even in tough times?
Now, take it one step further. Write down one goal, habit, or mindset you need to let go of—a weight that’s keeping you from fully stepping into your role. And write down one action you can take today to move closer to what you’re meant to do.
Purpose Leads to Peace
When you’re living out your purpose, you’ll see the results. The impact you make in your work, relationships, and community will bring you peace—not just about your actions, but about the path you took to get there.
Peace isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about knowing you’re doing what you were designed to do and that your work is creating lasting value.
Final Thoughts: Learn from the Mess
When you clean up after cooking, do you ever stop and ask yourself: What would make this dish even better? Or How could I make the process less messy next time?
Most of us rush through the clean-up without reflecting. But here’s the truth: The real progress happens when you stop to ask why the mess happened—and how you can improve it.
The same goes for your life. The messes you’ve made, the mistakes you’ve learned from, and the hard parts you’ve survived aren’t things to hide. They’re exactly what qualifies you for the role you’re meant to play.
It’s not about making your story spotless—it’s about making it better.
Stop trying to erase the hard parts. Stop hiding your mess. Stop chasing someone else’s version of success. Instead, ask yourself: What did I learn from this mess? What can I do better next time? Then step fully into the role you were designed and designated to play.
Purpose isn’t perfection. Purpose is peace in knowing you’re showing up, improving, and doing exactly what you were made to do.
Get a GRIP on your purpose. Stop erasing. Start embracing.
Let’s play to win.