Why are we here? This question has both plagued and challenged mankind for generations. Is there an ultimate answer, or is it all about mission statements and self-determination?

Everyone wants to have a fulfilling life. Unfortunately, many people miss a key ingredient to have it – finding their life purpose. They may spend years of their life only to find at the end that they have been trotting in the wrong direction. Many others achieve fame and financial success but still feel that something is missing.

As kids, we never really gave it a second thought. By default, our life purpose was given to us by our parents and those around us. Go to school, get good grades, hang out with friends, watch movies, have fun, rest and repeat.

Upon graduation, that purpose ‘expired’ and a void was left in its place. As adults, many don’t know what to fill that void with because it has always been filled by those around them, so it’s no wonder that they face so much difficulty in identifying their own life purpose.

Some people know what they really want but just haven’t pursued it, and for them, it just takes a little contemplation to realise what they’ve wanted all along. Others will have a more difficult time as they have never figured out what their dream is, or what they’d like to accomplish.

Most of us like to assume there is a fixed purpose in life, but the truth is, there is none. This is not to say life is unpurposeful or should be that way, but that it is up to us to choose our purpose in life.

Life purpose makes everything we do meaningful. We could be successful outside but if we don’t find meaning we will feel empty inside.

Not only can our life purpose gives us meaning, it can also give us clear direction of where to go in life. It helps us make important decisions in life. People who don’t have life purpose don’t have a strong foundation upon which to make their decisions. They will most likely just follow popular opinions.

Besides helping us make big decisions, our life purpose can also guide us in making small decisions. When you have two options in front of you, it will be easier for you to decide if you know what your life purpose is.

In life, there are always difficult times to go through. You may experience failures or rejections. In such situations, your life purpose can give you the motivation you need to keep going. Our life purpose will help us to see beyond the horizon. Our life purpose will guide us through the obstacle.

It’s never easy to find life purpose. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult things to do. One reason why finding life purpose is difficult is simply because there isn’t a universal formula for it.

Life purpose is a personal thing. Everyone has different purpose and has different way to find it. What apply to one might not apply to another and vice versa.

Another reason why it isn’t easy is that it takes time. This is perhaps the main reason why many people never find their life purpose. They want results instantly. Unfortunately, finding life purpose doesn’t work that way. It’s more like a journey than a one-time stop.

Our life purpose is related to our personal strengths. If you are good at imparting knowledge then it’s likely that your life purpose is related to teaching. If you are an analytical person, then your life purpose might have something to do with research. If you enjoy helping those in distress, then your life purpose could be to serve mankind. The main thing to bear in mind is that we all have strengths and we need to identify and develop our strong points, because it's a matter of using them or losing them.

Life purpose is also about passion. Our passions are things that we do because we love doing them and not because of the external reward such as money or recognition.

Regardless of the life purpose that we might have, we must remember that we need to make our own decisions as we control our own destiny. We are our own worst enemy and we are also our own best friend. What we are is the result of our efforts, thus it would be foolish to lead an aimless life and render our journey on earth meaningless.