What is my purpose?

When I was 13, I realized I was really good at arguing.  My nine-year old sister had given me plenty of opportunities to practice, and my tween years with my mostly-patient mother left no shortage of memorable arguments either. This revelation about my uncanny ability to convince others that my side was the "right" side (or perhaps it was just that I could outlast them in a shouting match) gave credence to an idea that I should be a lawyer when I grow up.

This idea lasted until my freshman year of college, whereupon I began my first political science class (a requirement of any pre-law program) and as quickly as you can say "Alexis de Tocqueville", the idea of Amy Birks, Esquire, was dropped from my to-do list forevermore. 

Since then my career has varied between sales jobs, service jobs, managing people, managing projects, loving what I'm doing, hating what I'm doing, feeling valued, feeling trapped, and so on. All the while, however, I've known I was meant for something BIGGER. Something more MEANINGFUL. Something with PURPOSE.

But what the F**K does that look like? 

This question plagued me for years. More less-than-stellar jobs came and went. Some giving me inklings to what I might be destined to become, others providing me with crystal clear directional signs telling me exactly what I was NOT intended to do in life. I'd set time aside on evenings and weekends to brainstorm, strategize and FIGURE IT OUT already. The best I could come up with was this:

"I'm on this planet to help people be happy. I have no idea what that looks like, or how I'll make a living doing it, but that's what I'm intended to do." 

Fast forward ten years to find me in a successful career in project management with a Fortune 25 financial institution. The skills I've accumulated throughout this amazing career, combined with those from my previous lackluster jobs, are invaluable. I've built phenomenal, life and career-changing relationships. I've learned countless life lessons about who I am, what I'm good at, and who I want to work with. But I still felt destined for more. I'm not helping anyone really be happy.

So I kept my eyes open for new possibilities.

One day, an email appeared in my inbox. It was from The Universe. Now, mind you, I get Notes from the Universe in my inbox every weekday, so this email didn't necessarily stand out amongst the rest of the fodder from Banana Republic, Zappos and the like, but when I opened it something jumped off the page at me.   

"Become an Infinite Possibilities Trainer! Mike Dooley is certifying trainers in Denver! Help people learn the art of living their dreams!" 

My heart leapt! Here was my sign. An author and thought-leader I respected and admired was coming to my city to certify trainers to teach a curriculum that would help people live happier lives! This was MY PURPOSE. I was in.

From that point forward, I knew where I was going, saw my life's vision with complete clarity, and knew exactly how I was going to get there.

Just like that.  

"I'm going to be a coach and I'll use my unique, varied skill set, combined with my foundational beliefs in the law of attraction, to help my clients get from A to B. They belong with me. THIS IS MY PURPOSE."

Over the last few months, this idea has become more and more clear. My mission has resonated at higher and higher vibrations, and the messages and confirmations I receive every day continue affirming for me that I'm on the right track. I've never before felt so sure of anything, and I feel completely at peace knowing this.

So why do I share this story with you?

Because I know I'm not alone in having worried that I might never figure out why I'm here. Because I'm certain that no matter what your age, education-level or job history might say about you, there's a good chance you still wonder what the f**k you're doing with your life. Because we all have an opportunity to figure it out.

If this is part of your journey, know you're in good company. And know that the path you've been on up until now is masterfully assisting to craft the divine vision of what's to come for you. If you're not where you want to be right now, keep your eyes open. Bring awareness to coincidences, to things that MOVE you, to messages in unlikely places. Just keep moving forward with unwavering faith that your destination will reveal itself to you even if you're unsure where it is you're going at this moment in time.

It's all part of the plan. 

With love and inspiration (and undeniable gratitude for the path that brought me here to you) 

-Amy