Find Your Life's Purpose in 5 Minutes

Mark Twain famously said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." While profound, this quote can be puzzling. Everyone has a purpose, but uncovering it often seems like a daunting task.

Mary Morrissey, founder of the Brave Thinking Institute and author of "Brave Thinking: The Art and Science of Creating a Life You Love," suggests it's actually quite straightforward. She believes that most people feel more alive when they know they're making an impact and want their lives to have meaning.

To discover your purpose, Morrissey recommends examining four areas of your life, which collectively form the Japanese concept of ikigai, or "reason for being."

The 4 Areas of Life:

1. Profession: Work you're paid for that involves growth and achievement.
2. Passion: What you love doing - ideas you care about that have an impact.
3. Vocation: What you're naturally good at - your talents and gifts.
4. Mission: How you contribute to the world and meet others' needs.

The intersection of these four areas is where your purpose lies. To find it, Morrissey suggests this simple exercise below, get a blank sheet of paper and do the following:

The 5-Minute Exercise

1. Find a quiet place and turn off distractions.
2. Ask yourself, "What am I doing when I feel most alive?"
3. Write down your ideas for at least five minutes.
4. Look for themes in your answers.
5. Consider what work could harness your interests while benefiting others and offering room for growth.

Morrissey warns that avoiding this process can lead to problems and unfulfillment. However, when you discover and live your purpose, you'll wake up excited about your day and feel fulfilled by your contributions.