Knowing your purpose and what gives life meaning is the tried and true method for finding lasting happiness.

In a University of Wisconsin-Madison study, researchers found that people with high scores of having a sense of purpose in their life, also enjoy lasting happiness. The people who ranked high in this characteristic, one of six measured by Ryff Scales of Psychological Well Being, had a sense of direction of what they wanted in life and were aware of what gives their life meaning.

Knowing your purpose may also be a factor in helping you to live longer. Explorer and author Dan Buettner led a global study of populations who live the longest (in areas of the world he calls blue zones). Buettner found that having what he calls Lkigai and Nicoyans of Costa Rica call plan de vida – which means “why I wake up in the morning” – is worth  up to 7 extra years of life expectancy.

Some people may feel that knowing their purpose isn’t important to them. It seems as if it would be too much trouble. They would prefer to float along and let life happen to them instead of life happening for them. At times, the journey can be a little frustrating and a bit scary with the unknown popping in and out like a ghost.

Finding your purpose is an inward journey that requires your attention and desire. Fortunately, there are signature methods for discovering your purpose, you were born with them! And they are waiting for you to uncover them.

Most of us will need to actively focus on the discovery of our inner strengths that reveal our purpose. Others might accidentally stumble on what gives them pleasure, but is it what they wake up for in the morning? There a lot of ways to manifest your purpose but there are also a lot of ways to NOT manifest your purpose and feel frustrated and encounter road blocks. This is when we usually go back to starting over again. Without following your inborn passions, talents and inner strengths, your life purpose will get lost in the scuffle of daily life; you will follow the wrong path and wonder why you feel unfulfilled.

When you are seeking ways to live a more satisfying life and experience a more intentional way of living, searching inside yourself will ignite personal talents and gifts that are ready for activating your dreams to success.

Over time, your purpose can get lost.

How do you find and discover your meaningful purpose? Try this: think back to a time in your life when you were anxious to get up in the morning, excited to get going with your project. You felt satisfied and fulfilled.

Ask yourself what and who mattered the most. Philosopher, Lao –tzu says, “At the center of your being you have the answer: You know who you are and you know what you want.” The next step you take – with you inner strengths at focus, you will be on your true path to joy and happiness.

The answers you uncover in searching for your inner strengths will be like having your personal GPS to guide you.