Now that we are in the Christmas season and approaching the end of 2024, as we reflect on the year that has passed and prepare for the new year ahead, it is common to ask ourselves: 'What is my purpose in life and work? '

Striving for it I understand someone's intention it can be scary, often leading to confusion and anxiety. An important thing to remember is that intention evolves. As I reflect on the seven decades of my life, I believe I have had a different purpose in each decade.

Your purpose is rarely constant. It changes with age, maturity and coping with life unexpected turns. In his graduation speech at Stanford University, Steve Jobs said, “You can only connect the dots in hindsight.”, meaning that purpose is very similar to passion in that it is revealed more in the end than in the beginning. This is another reason why finding your talent, which is constant, is likely to have a longer impact than finding your passion, which can change like the wind.

As you experience new things, you will grow, change and evolve. of the challenges you face at every stage of your life will provide opportunities to find purpose. However, you likely won't realize your ultimate goal until late in your journey.

Related: 9 tips to find your life purpose

In the 1991 film City Slickers, three best friends in a midlife crisis decide to “rekindle their masculinity” and take a cattle drive through the Southwest. Everyone is trying to find out what life is, and everyone is trying to find their purpose.

The punchline comes when the old cowboy (Jack Palance) finally has had enough. He turns to one of the townspeople (Billy Crystal) and says, “You townspeople don't get it. You spend fifty weeks a year making knots in your rope, and then you think two weeks up here will fix it. that.”

“Do you know what the secret of life is?” Palance continues, extending his index finger. “It's just one thing.”

“What is that? Your finger?” Crystal asks.

Palance shakes his head. “That's what you have to understand.”

This moment has always spoken to me. It's another good way to approach the questions “Why am I here?” or “What should I do?” I believe you will find answers to these questions by exploring these seven components of purpose:

• To live
• To love you
• To learn
• To leave a legacy
• To achieve
• To connect
• To find that “one thing”

Related: 4 Steps to Building a Purpose Driven Business

I found the purpose of creating a family, building a company and trying to help other people. Ultimately, as a Christian, I believe my highest purpose on earth is to serve God and love others. The apostle Paul makes this clear in the Bible, where he talks about the “spiritual gifts” we possess and how these talents will be reflected in our purpose. No two people are exactly alike, but collectively, we come closer to this ultimate goal.

Howard Thurman (the late civil rights leader who authored over 20 books, gave thousands of sermons and speeches, and helped inspire Martin Luther King Jr.) powerfully said, “Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do it, because the world needs people who are alive.”

Every successful CEO knows their company needs one clear vision and purpose. But wouldn't it be just as important and just as powerful for each individual to have the same clarity about their purpose with the answers to these questions?

• Who are you? — Six ways you treat others
• Who are you not? – Six unique differences
• What do you stand for? – Six core values
• Why are you here? – Twenty-five words or less

I challenge you to write your statement of purpose by answering these four questions, because they will provide you with both a handrail and a North Star to guide you on your journey. But remember, finding your purpose takes patience because it will evolve over many years.