5 reasons to stop believing in the myth of true purpose

"Find something you like and you won't have to work a day." Have you heard something like that? The idea, you see, is attractive: it is enough to find out what kind of business it is - and that's it, life is a success. However, in reality, the idea of purpose often leads us not to harmony and success, but to disappointment. And that's why.

1. We do not prepare for difficulties

It is enough to understand what your purpose is and start following it. And then everything will work out by itself in the best way: there will be money and the right people, there will be strength, time and other resources. Creation itself will lead you in the right direction. No, some effort, of course, will have to be made.

But it will be fun and exciting. And behind the scenes, cheerful music will surely sound, like in a movie … Anyone who thinks so will have many unpleasant surprises. After all, the purpose is not only about a dream, but also about a business.

Zuckerberg won't just call, clients won't line up, no one will spread the carpet and offer a six-figure contract.

At least right away. At first, you will have to study for many years and work for a long time, sometimes even without payment, without much achievements and without positive feedback. This is a difficult test, and only those who have tuned in to possible difficulties from the very beginning can cope with it.

This proactive and pragmatic approach is called a development mindset. And it, in contrast to the ineffective set of goals - the belief that everything is predetermined, helps to cope with difficulties and not lose motivation in difficult times.

2. The myth pushes us to stupidity

Cinematography and pseudo-psychological literature have taught us that vocation is mainly about creativity, sports or long journeys. No one makes films about how an artist dropped everything and realized that his destiny was to be a clerk. But there are more than enough reverse examples.

Therefore, those to whom, at the very first difficulties, it seems that their work is too boring, not creative enough and adventurous, take all their might to seek themselves, their happiness and their work in life.

Searching, continuing to work in the office and living in the same place, of course, is not interesting. After all, everyone knows: to start looking for yourself, you must at least quit your disgusting job, or better, go on a many-month journey to Italy, India and Indonesia. Sometimes in this way you can really find an interesting activity, new friends and valuable experience.

But it also happens that seekers simply waste money and time and sit on the neck of relatives.

Nobody encourages you to stay in your unloved job, to give up travel, introspection and experimentation. Passion for your work will allow you to do it with much greater pleasure and dedication. But it is not connected with a mythical vocation, it is just a lively interest, a passion for some area.

And this passion often comes as an appetite for eating. That is, when you have already started doing something. Researchers interviewed entrepreneurs, and they said that the more money, time and effort they invest in a project, the more they are fascinated by it. And vice versa.

3. We think that nothing can be changed

Sometimes what we think is interesting and attractive, in reality, does not suit us. And it also happens that an occupation that seemed like a vocation and a matter of dreams, over time, ceases to bring satisfaction. At first, the eyes burned, but several years passed - and new interests and new circumstances appeared.

It is generally accepted that the purpose is one for life, that it cannot change.

But this approach is very limiting: because of it, we think that we must follow a decision that we made a long time ago. And in the end, we miss out on interesting opportunities and projects - just because they don't fit our vocation.

However, you may have abilities in several areas at once - such people are called, or. This means that you can develop in different directions - simultaneously or one by one, without getting hung up on the idea of purpose.

4. Searches prevent us from doing business

The search is much more exciting than work. You can selflessly read books and articles, attend lectures and trainings, make plans, hover in the clouds. It is easier than learning, making money, overcoming difficulties - but there is a risk of remaining at the stage of searching. Sometimes referred to as rocking chair syndrome, this condition causes us to prepare endlessly but never do anything.

But for a comfortable and eventful life, understanding your purpose, strictly speaking, is not necessary at all.

A group of psychologists from the University of South Florida, having interviewed several hundred people, came to the conclusion that participants who work without looking at the idea of / u200b / u200bthe idea of / u200b / u200bthe work of life, feel no worse than those who, they think, have found it. But the respondents who believe that they have a vocation, but they do not follow it, are more likely than others to suffer from stress, depression and dissatisfaction.

5. We allow ourselves to earn

Some bloggers, experts and consultants are actively enriching themselves on the idea of destination. If you dig even a little on social networks and in search engines, you will find more than a dozen different courses, marathons, seminars and programs that, in one form or another, offer to reveal your true vocation. More often than not, it's not free.

The main problem is that they are all based on false premises: the work of life is predetermined and invariable. This means that their usefulness is very doubtful. The best approach would be to listen not to self-proclaimed gurus, but to yourself, your interests and abilities. But at the same time, do not forget that the work to which the soul lies will not necessarily be easy and joyful. And that overcoming obstacles or building new routes is a real adventure. And it is more interesting than any myth.