You probably don’t believe you have a purpose. Maybe you think that the only people who do have a purpose or calling in life are people that are doing something big like feeding children in third-world countries, or speaking on a stage in front of 20,000 people. Sometimes, purpose does involves doing something big like that, but more than likely it doesn’t.

Purpose, like people, comes in all different sizes and is as unique to each person as their fingerprint. God put something in you that NO ONE else has. You can do things in a way that no one else can do them. You were uniquely made for your purpose.

What often hinders us from discovering our calling is believing that it will involve doing something we’re not interested in, or have the ability or qualifications to accomplish.

But, the truth is this:

Whatever God created you to do, He gave you the passion + natural talent to do it. 

It is also a false belief that you have to get your life together and have it all figured out before you can start walking towards your passion and dreams. The only responsibility you have is to have faith, and believe that you are perfect for your purpose. You already have everything you need to fulfill it.

Purpose is something that gets clearer the more action you take towards it.

I didn’t wake up with the realization one day that my purpose in life would be to help women discover their purpose. I just knew that I loved teaching women information that would help them win in life (my passion). I also knew that I was good at seeing gifts and abilities in other people that they don’t see in themselves (my natural talent).

I took the information I knew about myself, my passion  for teaching, and my natural talent, helping women realize their gifts are valuable, and launched an Instagram class to teach them how to share their gifts and passion with the world effectively.

I never thought teaching social media classes was my calling in life, but I knew I needed to start somewhere. And true to form, as I began to take action my purpose became clearer. My classes sold out, and what followed putting myself out there were invitations to speak at conferences and join panels about leadership – as I took the first steps, doors opened for me. The same will be true for you when you take the first step.

So, let me ask you… What are you passionate about? What lights your soul on fire and gets you excited when you think about it?

Do you love advising people on how they can transform their bodies through exercise?

Do you find yourself outraged by social injustices so much that you’re willing to take action – like organizing a rally or joining a cause?

Do you find yourself staring at people’s fashion sense (or non-sense), thinking about how they could improve their style with just a few tweaks?

Tell me, what are you naturally good at?

And, don’t tell me you don’t have any talent; God gave everybody something – even if you think what He gave you is insignificant.

• Can you make people laugh without even really trying?
• Can you solve complex crisis management problems easily?

• Do you have the ability to make people comfortable enough to open up about their fears and share their vulnerabilities?

• Does building relationships and connecting people come easily to you?

Finding your purpose is the key to living an exciting, fulfilling and impactful life.

I’m not implying that you won’t have to work hard at refining your skills and building your dream. But working hard at what you love is fulfilling. Working with the grain instead of against the grain is always better.

I challenge you to take a step today towards doing the work you were born to do by asking yourself these two questions:

1. What am I passionate about?
2. What is my natural talent?

The post The Two Most Important Questions To Ask When Trying To Find Your Purpose appeared first on Angela Lucas.

When there’s finally a moment to work on your dreams after everyone else is put to bed, you’re ready to fall out yourself!

As much as you might want to, you can’t do it all. The community initiatives you’re volunteering for, the PTA groups you’re leading, and the endless other things you do to help others reach their goals is keeping you from reaching your own.

Listen, helping is good. Volunteering is good. If you know me, you already know I’m all about adding value to people and serving them. But I also believe that we have to be intentional. No one accidentally fulfills their purpose, and nobody haphazardly accomplishes their dreams. They are intentional about the moves they make.

You don’t have an endless amount of time. So the time you giveaway to others needs to be a thoughtful exchange. Guard your time. It’s the most valuable thing you have.

Be sure that the things you’re involved with serve your greater purpose.

• You want to be a writer? Are you spending at least half an hour each day in undisturbed writing time?
• You want to get that promotion or become a better manager? Are you waking up before everyone in your house to read a few chapters of a leadership book?
• You want to start your own business. Are you networking with local entrepreneurs or spending time with a business mentor working on strategy? Or once again, does that parent-teacher association meeting leave you with no time for your own development?

What’s your end-game? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you’ll look back years from now with a bunch of pats on the back, but without the deep satisfaction of having lived your dreams. You will have helped people, and that’s great. But did you serve them with your highest contribution to the world – the best work that you can only find while doing what you were born to do?

What is it that you really want to be doing with your life? You have to make the time to do it and you can’t make the time to do that if you are unintentional with your schedule.

“Lives that are lived on purpose and with purpose are rich lives” -Dave Ramsey

The post You’re SUPER busy. But are you busy doing the right things? appeared first on Angela Lucas.

Every time I hit publish on a new blog post, I. AM. SCURRED!

Will anybody care? Will anyone read it? Will I look like a fool? When I hit go live on Facebook or share a new piece of my story on Instagram, I feel instant regret. I think people are saying ‘Who does she think she is?”, “Is she supposed to be some kind of motivational speaker now?”, “Who made her the expert?”, “She’s wearing those earrings again?” (Its true, I wear my favorite earrings nearly everyday. Good thing I’m not a fashion blogger ? )

My husband then has to talk me off the ledge for the next 24 hours.

So, why do I do it? Because I’m so passionate about helping people recognize how dope they are and how much they have to give to the world! I want to give them the tools they need to shine.

I’m just starting this journey and it’s scary. I’ve panicked more than once.

But I keep showing up because I know that the things I’ve learned would be helpful for other people too, and I want to share it.

If I can do it, you can too. And, here’s why you should:

People don’t know who you are and what you are capable of doing until you show them. Once people know what you can do and that you’re looking for opportunities to share your skills— you will start to gain traction. (I got a speaking gig I have been secretly wanting , AFTER I published my first blog post.)

There’s no sense in having these hidden talents nobody knows about. Your phone will never ring for that opportunity unless you show people what you can do, and ask for opportunities to do it. Or create opportunities to do it).

Putting yourself out there, over time, gives you courage. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it gets. Those live videos? Good Lord, my first one I could hardly breathe during or even after I finished it!

Getting the opportunities to do big things requires having some credibility, and you can’t build credibility unless you step outside of your comfort zone. If you’re asking for opportunities and they can’t go somewhere to see your past work, they won’t call you back. Show them you’re legit. Nobody’s going to just take your word for it – that puts their reputation on the line.

One of the worst things you can do is live life with regret. I’m not going to look back at my life when I’m 80 and say I coulda, woulda, shoulda. I’m going to take what I was given and do something with it.

In The Art of Work, Jeff Goins says “Not until you find something you can do to the point of exhaustion, to the extent that you almost hate it but can return to it tomorrow, have you found something worth pursuing.”

I want my life to represent someone who went after what she wanted.

Go after what you want too.

The post I’m not always so brave, but I keep going anyway. Here’s why you should too. appeared first on Angela Lucas.