Knowing who you are and why you’re here (and why I have Jeremy to thank)

One of the people I’ve met online that I really enjoy chatting with is Jeremy Noel Johnson. He really is a great guy with huge dreams that puts even me to shame. He’s come a long way and has done a lot in his short time on the web, running several sites and I have no doubt whatsoever that this is only the beginning for him. He’s been to Ireland for two years doing community service. He’s written an entire fantasy fiction book on his own time and is in the process of looking for a publisher. He’s written a short (free) e-book on using movement to increase motivation and passion. He comes up with creative ways to get people going. All the while he’s got his hands full with a full time job as a programmer and a lovely family with two little girls, one of which is just over a month old. Hi, Jerm! *waves*

And much like I’ve pointed out in my comparison post, all of that only inspires me to be a better person and really work to achieve my dreams.

Clearly defined goals and values are the key to a successful, happy life

One of the things we’ve talked about is the importance of clearly defining your goals. If you don’t know who you are, where you stand, and where you want to go … well, then you’ll set yourself up for a life of inertia and frustration.

Jeremy encouraged me to really sit down, think about the things I want, and to actually spell them out clearly. At first he did an interview with me, which you can read here. But privately we’ve exchanged many goals and lists. I’ve done this before, of course, but it was never as focused as I’m doing now. As a result I’ve obtained a higher level of clarity that leaves me more confident and sure about what I’m doing. For that, I’m grateful.

Recently, Jeremy posted another interview that he found on his site. It’s basically the same theme of clearly defining who you are and why you believe you’ve been placed on this earth. Doing it publicly makes it even more powerful because now other people will hold you accountable for your actions.

I’m a bit behind in posting this, but I think it’s important to take the time to think about these things. Once you define something for yourself, your brain accepts it as the truth and acts accordingly. And based off what you believe and how you act, the Universe will work with that. If you’d like, you can also complete the interview, post it on your site or you can just post it in the comments. Before this fanfest gets completely out of hand (as if it hasn’t already!), I’ll start first and share my responses.

“What Is Your Purpose?” Interview

(Inspired by Lana, from Daring Clarity via Jeremy Noel Johnson)

1. If there was one word that would define everything you do, strive for and resonate with, what would that be? Connectedness.

2. What is (are) the core feeling(s) that drive(s) everything you do? On the positive end: Love (and the desire to love others) and gratitude (for everything that’s been done for me). On the negative end: frustration (with myself and for others) and regret (for all that I was too scared to do in the past).

3. What are the things you are most proud of from what you’ve accomplished or did so far in life? I’ve done a lot academically despite my “disabilities,” I’ve performed hundreds of hours of community service in my community, and I’ve cultivated great relationships with the people closest to me.

4. What is your genius, what are your talents? Flexibility, open-mindedness, and the ability to easily see, relate to, and argue for others’ point of views even if I don’t necessarily agree. I’m also good at seeing things and conveying things visually, through metaphor and through art. I see myself as a fledgling “universal communicator.”

5. If you were to start your career/business all over again, what would you do differently? I would have thought about my options more, majored in something different (specifically economics and nutrition – I’m interested in both and study both in my spare time), and started a business much sooner (while I was still in undergraduate).

6. What do you crave? More, deeper human connections and more personal freedoms away from most societal norms.

7. What do you want less of in your life? Less pressure from outside sources to continue down a pre-arranged path. Although admittedly I give these outside sources the power to do so.

8. What annoys you the most? When people are unaware of or are too afraid to let go of their own limited worldviews. Ironically, this is what annoys me the most about myself although I’m slowly overcoming it.

9. If there was one thing you could revolutionize, what would that be? Human connections and relationships. I often have a hard time understanding how so many people can be on completely different pages and allow stubbornness to easily destroy bonds, even though at the end of the day we all want and desire similar things. Actually, I do understand why – I just don’t like it. Pride and sticking for your beliefs are fine when necessary, but to me, it matters more to be fluid and accepting the majority of the time.

10. What are the best realizations you had that changed your life? “If you don’t choose what you want out of life, someone else will choose for you” and “Imperfection is perfection – mistakes are unavoidable, nonnegotiable, and worth every bit of pain and confusion they cause.”

11. What do you love? My family. When people are passionate about something and chase that passion regardless of the odds. Good homemade food. A good metaphor. Star Trek. Pets. Love. The simple pleasures in life.

12. What is the best material gift one can give you and why? A computer with internet capabilities. When used right, it can open so many doors and expose one to a variety of ideas and positivity. You just need to look past the ‘noise.’

13. What is your favorite flower and what do you see in it? Lilies of all kinds, because despite their gaudy displays of color and form, they have an understated grace about them. I like orchids too, for similar reasons.

14. What advice would you give your 18 year old Self? Stop worrying, disregard most of the “rules,” and go boldly where no one has gone before.

15. What are you most proud of in your country/people? The amount of opportunities available here for anyone willing to grab them.

16. Did you have a job that you hated in the past and if yes, why? Very funny! I didn’t particularly like any of them thus far because I felt/feel too closed in.

And thus ends the interview. Hope you enjoyed it and I hope it inspired you to think about your own purpose!

Related posts:

1. Just do it: Put your sneakers on and walk backwards
2. How to use expectation to your advantage
3. How to start exercising for wussies (and why you shouldn’t bother setting weight goals)