7 Simple Questions to Help You Determine Your Life Purpose

Here's another way to find out what you really want out of life. The questions aren't necessarily easy, so take your time.

1. If you won a $1 million, what would you do differently in life?
This is not about buying your dream house or going on a world cruise or even donating the lot to charity (because money is the root of all evil?). Think about what you would actually change, the different activities you would engage in. (Okay, maybe you do want the house, because you have a need for a secure home base to pursue your activities. Or you'll go on a world cruise, because that's where you can find the most people to start your new evangelistic religion...)

2) If you were going to die in 6 months time (and had perfect health in the meantime), how would you spend the time?
It's possible, if you are living completely on purpose, that you wouldn't change anything. There was some writer or the other, who just continued writing when he was told he only had a few months to live. He obviously felt he was living his life purpose. But are you? I can certainly think of a couple of things I'd like to squeeze in. There are still a few places I want to visit, a lot more dancing to do and so many more things to create.

3) Which one quality of your character, if you were to develop it further, would serve you the most fully in life?
This one requires some self-knowledge. How are you? Which characteristic of yours would be most useful to fulfil your dreams? Check out your other answers first, if you, like me, find this question difficult.

4) If you had a magic wand, and could grant any one skill or a ability, what would you choose?
No, I don't mean facebook inspired superhero abilities. What is it you really need to learn or do to be most in alignment with your dreams? For instance, if you want to hold workshops, learning how to teach would be useful.

5) What is it that gives you the most joy and satisfaction in life?
There are moments where you are totally in the flow and time seems to disappear. Activities can also trigger those "my cup runneth over" feelings, where you are so full of joy that you feel your heart will burst. What are you doing when you get these feelings? I can dance the night away, debate into the wee hours of the morning. Creating anything also puts me into a space time warp.

6) What legacy would you like to leave?
Imagine you were writing your obituary. What would you like to be remembered for? Try and go for more than just being a nice caring person, great parent, etc. Dream big. A guru? A media moghul? Or known for your involvement in saving the whales? Or eradicating malaria? (Even Bill Gates has his dreams he is working towards.)

7) What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew that you could not fail?
This one is usually somehow connected to the last question. Climb Everest? (It doesn't matter if someone else has already done it. If you want to do it as well, go ahead and make it your dream.
If you're already doing all or most of these things, you are really on track with your life purpose. If you aren't, ask yourself why you aren't and then start moving in that direction.

Sometimes we have more than one purpose in one life. To take Bill Gates as an example again, he built up Microsoft (and whatever anybody says about the guy, he did build the company) and now he wants to eradicate malaria. As you fulfill a dream, another takes its place. Or sometimes, life purpose changes and another dream becomes your new dream. At which point, you might want to consider asking yourself these life purpose questions again.

Now, go out and do all of those things that you wrote about. Why wait until whatever? Do it now.