In my last article, we explored how many people feel stuck and how to begin finding your purpose when life feels stagnant. But as we all know, some things are easier said than done. What if you’ve acknowledged that something needs to shift—yet you still don’t know what that shift looks like? What if the idea of purpose remains just out of reach? When finding your purpose in life feels elusive, it’s easy to assume you need a grand plan to move forward. At least that’s what we are always told – “you must have a plan, a vision, and it must be very clear.”
In truth, however, purpose often reveals itself through motion. Even small, intentional steps can spark clarity, confidence, and momentum. Many times, those small intentional steps are very unclear, and you might not even know where you’ll end up.
Let Go of the Pressure for Perfect Clarity
There’s a common misconception that you must have a fully-formed vision before taking action. But waiting for a lightning bolt moment can keep you stuck. In reality, most people discover their next steps through action, not before it. Waiting for clarity can become a form of procrastination, especially when wrapped in perfectionism or fear of making the "wrong" choice. When finding your purpose in life feels elusive, this waiting game can delay your growth.
Don’t Let Overthinking Keep You Stagnant
You might feel hesitant to act because you're afraid of wasting time or resources. But overthinking, while it feels productive, often keeps us looping in indecision. The longer you wait, the more stagnant you feel—and the harder it becomes to take even the smallest step. The key is to recognize that uncertainty is not a stop sign; it's a starting point. Especially when finding your purpose in life feels elusive, motion is what creates momentum.
Start Moving: Action Leads to Clarity
Clarity is not a prerequisite for action—it’s a result of it. Think of it like this: you're driving through fog. You can't see the whole road, but you move forward slowly, and the next few meters reveal themselves. This is how purpose often works.
You don’t need to commit to a grand plan. You simply need to engage. Take a course. Attend a workshop. Start a small project. Each tiny move will either spark excitement or help you refine what you don’t want. Both are valuable forms of feedback, especially when finding your purpose in life feels elusive.
Five Small but Powerful Steps to Take When You're Unsure
Here are five ways to take action even when your vision isn't crystal clear:
1. Journal Your Curiosity
What are you drawn to lately? What topics do you find yourself Googling or reading about for fun? Write them down. Over time, patterns will emerge. This is your roadmap for when finding your purpose in life feels elusive.
2. Try Micro-Experiments
Don’t wait for the perfect moment to test an idea. Take a short online course. Volunteer. Shadow someone in a different field. Try a 30-day creative challenge. Low-risk experiments help you explore without pressure.
3. Have Exploratory Conversations
Reach out to people who are doing things that intrigue you. These conversations can open up ideas, inspire you, and help you see possibilities you hadn’t considered. Even having conversations with people you don’t necessarily think will add value to your quest, might actually help. Ideas are borne through all sorts of conversations.
To digress, I’m not a big conversationalist when it comes to strangers, but I’ve become more purposeful in engaging in conversations with them, a skill my husband is an expert in. This has helped me open up my mind and see other people’s views and beliefs in an interesting way. If I only spoke to my friends, I wouldn’t get different experiences.
4. Set a Weekly Exploration Block
Commit one hour a week to doing something outside your usual routine. It might be reading, attending a webinar, or brainstorming side projects. This creates space for inspiration to find you. I remember deciding to take a different route every now and then when going to work and from work – seems like a small thing but can help you change your perspective and notice things you never did before. Change your routine a little.
I read a book by Tim Ferris, the 4-hour work week, where he speaks about getting out of your comfort zone by doing uncomfortable things. One of his assignments is for one to ‘Make direct eye contact with people you pass on the street and don’t look away until they do’. Or to ‘Express a controversial opinion on purpose in a small group, even if it's just playing devil’s advocate’. He says getting comfortable in discomfort not only improves resilience but makes you better at decision-making and taking bold action.
5. Choose a Theme, Not a Final Destination
Instead of waiting for a crystal-clear goal, choose a theme or core value that resonates with you—such as creativity, service, independence, or leadership. Think of this theme as your north star. It may not give you the exact map, but it offers a direction that feels meaningful. This approach is especially powerful when finding your purpose in life feels elusive, because it allows you to stay in motion without being paralyzed by uncertainty.
For example, let’s say the theme that speaks to you right now is creativity. You’re not sure whether you want to become a designer, a writer, or a content creator—but you know that creative expression lights you up. Instead of fixating on figuring out “the perfect idea,” you could:
- Take a creativity course
- Start a daily journaling habit on the same
- Volunteer to help a friend with their creative work
- Join an online challenge for 30 days
These small choices are aligned with your theme of creativity. As you explore, you’ll gain insight into what energizes you most and what feels like a good fit. That’s how your bigger vision begins to take shape—organically, through action guided by value.
Letting your theme lead you not only creates momentum, it also makes the process of discovery feel joyful instead of pressured.
Reframing Uncertainty as Creative Space
Uncertainty can feel uncomfortable, but it's also fertile ground for creativity and reinvention. Think of it as a blank canvas, not a void. The discomfort you're feeling is simply a sign that you’re expanding—and that’s a good thing. Many of us flee at the first sight of uncertainty and that’s where we lose it. Change is not comfortable; growth is not comfortable.
Start Now, Start Small
You don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Start small. Start curious. Start where you are. Every bit of action brings you closer to clarity. And when finding your purpose in life feels elusive, remember: momentum creates meaning.
Downloadable Resource: A Mini Action Plan for When You're Unsure
