Recently I finished reading The Seed:Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work by Jon Gordon. This book is about the search for purpose, joy and meaning in life. It’s a story of a man named Josh who had a successful career and a bright future ahead of him, but he felt something was missing. His passion and energy for his job were dwindling and he found himself at a crossroad. The book takes on you a journey with Josh as he explores his past and determines the direction of his future.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to (as the title states) find more purpose and happiness in their life and work. It’s the perfect read for someone who:
Is feeling stalled in their career and is contemplating a change.
Has become complacent in their professional life and is looking to reclaim the excitement and energy they once had in their work.
Feels as though their potential is greater than their current situation.
Wants to grow and be open to whatever direction life takes them in.
Some of the insights or lessons I highlighted within this book were:
Many of us search for answers and wish someone would just tell us what to do next. The maze of life teaches us lessons that direct us towards creating the life we want. When you're unsure where to start, begin with your heart. "It knows where you are meant to go and what you are meant to do. You just have to listen to it." The fact that you have a desire to search for your purpose means there is a purpose to be found.
We all react differently to challenges. Some choose to see a positive outcome, while others choose to see a negative outcome. Which is interesting since the outcomes are unknown. Your point of view determines how you feel and act. Its the energy and mindset that you bring to an experience that matters.
When you encounter resistance face it and learn from it. Every experience in life is trains us for the work we are meant to do in the future. Your greatest challenge likely served as the preparation to help you live and share your greatest purpose. Things that appear to be setbacks are really designed to help you fully grow into all you are meant to become.
We spend so much of our time living in the past and imagining the future that we don’t fully enjoy the present. We want the future to happen now and that keeps us from enjoying the moment. It steals our joy from the present.
For people to change, their beliefs have to change. Changed beliefs lead to changed behaviors. Changed behaviors lead to changed habits and new outcomes.
I’ll wrap up by sharing a few thought provoking questions from the book:
Is it better to race through life feeling numb to your purpose or to experience the discomfort and struggle of seeking it?
What if you’re not lost, you’re just somewhere between where you were and where you want to go?
If you find any of these insights resonate with you, I urge you to grab a copy of this book (you can find it on Amazon here) and give it a read. Then send me an email and share your favorite parts with me.
- Crystalynn
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