​The Path to Purpose and Clarity: How Healing Transforms Your Career Goals

Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay

“The more specific we are, the more universal something can become. Life is in the details. If you generalize, it doesn’t resonate. The specificity of it is what resonates” — Jacqueline Woodson

For years, I struggled to get specific about my career goals. I always felt a vague sense of wanting to do more, a purpose that seemed just out of reach. Despite having diverse experiences, I couldn’t pin down a clear direction. I read countless books and completed numerous questionnaires, striving to move beyond the nebulous desire to "evolve society".

Even while helping others define and achieve their career goals, I faced my own challenge. A mentor once pointed out that my struggle might stem from a lack of confidence, exacerbated by poor boundaries and a harsh inner critic that left me feeling exhausted. She suggested that my energy was blocked by unresolved trauma and boundary issues, and that I was still fighting old battles.

When she asked if I knew how to maintain boundaries without having to fight for them, I realised I didn’t. Despite having practiced boundary-setting extensively, I still needed deeper emotional healing. My nervous system, deeply ingrained with old survival responses, was not yet convinced it was safe to let go of its defensive stance.

So I put in the work, the work to heal my nervous system. It’s not easy, and I needed help. There are many ways to achieve what I wanted to. Here are some of many examples:

• Physical modalities: yoga, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, Tai Chi and Qigong, exercise 
• Psychological and emotional modalities: meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Experiencing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), The Completion Process, hypnotherapy       
• Nutritional and lifestyle approaches: healthy diet, supplements, adequate sleep, hydration
  
• Integrative and holistic approaches: Heilkunst homeopathy, Metaphysical Anatomy Technique, Ayurveda, Reiki, naturopathy, aromatherapy, sound therapy

Alongside many of these, I embraced nature, supportive relationships, art therapy and journaling. For me, a blend of these methods was transformative, with the Metaphysical Anatomy Technique by Evette Rose proving especially impactful. It was through this technique that I finally began to regulate my nervous system. I am now able to step back and think strategically again in triggering situations without getting thrown into a swirling vortex of panic and stagnation.

"I was life a prisoner emerging from the dungeon into the sunlight. I expanded into the space of my own life" Tilda Swinton, 3000 years of Longing

Released from the cycle of fight, flight, freeze, and fold, I could finally see what had been before me all along. I realised I yearned to contribute to conscious evolution through my skills in writing, coaching, and deep personal understanding, ideally in a collaborative, non-corporate setting where authenticity and growth are valued.

Inspired by Sarah Durham Wilson’s work, I resonated with advice like surrounding myself with supportive, like-minded people and seeking out communities, organizations, or initiatives focused on conscious evolution and authentic living.

But, more than any other is was these four questions that finally unlocked what had been there all along. 

1. What your ideal contribution to the world looks like? I want to help create a vision for new ways of educating kids and evolving healthcare. I also want to help people break free from self-limiting beliefs and habits. Plus, I like supporting people through life's big changes, including end-of-life transitions.
2. What impact do you want to make? I hope to positively influence humanity’s direction, nurturing a world where people recognize their power and our connection to the planet and all living things.
3. Who do you want to help? I want to help everyone, but especially those who are looking to grow and evolve consciously. I also want to support those who can't easily make changes themselves, like animals, plants, people nearing the end of life, children, and those with mental challenges.
4. How do you want to spend your days? I want to keep spending my days mostly at home, writing, and contributing to forums and working groups. I’m happy traveling for speaking engagements that can make a difference. But I want to wake up naturally, have time for self-care, and spend quality time with friends and family.

Funnily enough I knew as soon as I read them, answering those questions would unlock something in me, but I’d been avoiding doing that for months. I just wasn’t ready, I was healing. But one day, not so long ago, I sat and wrote out those answers, and found that illuminated the next steps for me.

I then sat down with ChatGPT and I gave it my whole career experience and asked how my history has uniquely positioned me to make the contributions I want to in life, and in the blink of an eye it was busy telling me quite clearly how my life and experiences have equipped me for the road I want to take.

The path to clarity and purpose isn't always straightforward. It often requires confronting deep-seated fears, healing old wounds, and exploring various modalities of support. Through my process, I’ve learned that specificity in our goals comes from understanding ourselves at a deeper level, including our needs, values, and boundaries.

Jacqueline Woodson's words remind us that the details matter; they’re what make our personal narratives unique and universal. Just as I found my clarity through a mix of personal healing and reflection, you too can uncover the specifics that resonate with your own life.

I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your journey. Your contributions are valuable, and the world needs your authentic voice and experiences. Ask yourself: What does your ideal contribution to the world look like? What impact do you hope to make? Who do you want to help? And how do you want to spend your days? Remember, the journey to understanding and aligning with your true purpose is ongoing. Embrace it with patience and openness, knowing that each step you take is a part of your meaningful journey.
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If you enjoyed reading this, you may enjoy Embrace a Purposeful Life to Move From Anxiety to Absolute Authenticity, The Art of Learning to Have and Hold Boundaries Healthily When Healing From Trauma Responses and Take the Quantum Leap: Nurture Your Creativity and Intuition to Craft a Life of Purpose. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog.