How to Live a Purpose-Driven Life: The DEED Formula for Achieving the Good Life
The Rugged face
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Introduction
Life often feels like a series of obligations: work, family, and endless to-do lists. In the midst of this, the idea of living a purposeful life can seem distant, almost unattainable. But what if you could break free from the monotony and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of? This is where the DEED formula comes in—Dream, Excavate, Expansion, and Do. It’s a step-by-step guide designed to help you discover and live a purpose-driven life, grounded in Christian principles but accessible to all.
Affiliate Links Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Does It Mean to Live a Purpose-Driven Life?
Living a purpose-driven life means aligning your actions and goals with your core values and beliefs. It involves finding and pursuing your life’s true calling, often guided by faith, introspection, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Key Principles:
- Identify Your Values: Understand what matters most to you and why.
- Set Meaningful Goals: Align your daily actions with long-term aspirations.
- Embrace Faith and Spirituality: Use your beliefs as a foundation for your purpose.
Quote: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
For some people, discovering their purpose is easy. For others, like myself, it’s not. I’m 37 years, and I still don’t know that I want to do when I grow up. I’ve learned that’s ok. Our dreams change. Our lives changes. And our priorities change. The desires I once had are no more. Purpose today may not be the purpose of tomorrow. That’s the beauty of living aligned with our core beliefs. We aren’t always going to know what our purpose is all the time. The key is understanding that concept.
Section 1: DREAM – Envisioning the Good Life
The journey to a purpose-driven life starts with a dream. Take the time to envision what you want your life to look like. This is about more than just setting goals; it’s about identifying your deepest desires and aspirations.
I’ve discovered that men and women in their 30’s don’t dream anymore. They simply go about their day to day tasks without giving any thought whatsoever to what they actually want in life. They have kids. Then, they go to kids activities. Followed by teaching and training their kids to be functional adults. At that point, college happens. Finally, they’ve found they’ve pursued nothing. They have regrets that they can’t amend.
Dreaming should be a part of every family’s mission.
Steps to Start Dreaming:
- Identify Desires: What do you want most in life? Where do you want to live? What kind of work do you want to do?
- Visualize Your Ideal Day: Picture a day in your ideal life. What are you doing? Who are you with?
- Set Concrete Goals: Write down your dreams and break them into achievable goals.
Tool: Use a vision board or a journal to document your dreams. Reflect on these regularly to keep your vision alive.
Resources:
- Vision Board Supplies: Vision Board Kit
- Journals: Right Side Up Journal
- Books on Goal Setting: Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
- Dream Life Plan: Download here.
Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Section 2: EXCAVATE – Deep Work for Personal Growth
Once you have a clear vision, it’s time to dig deep. Excavation involves self-reflection and uncovering the layers of your identity, strengths, and areas for growth. This phase is crucial for understanding what has been holding you back and what steps you need to take to move forward.
This is the tough one. No one wants to look deep within their heart and soul and discover the missing pieces or broken aspects of their heart and soul. Excavation involves a deep search into the deepest parts of us to uncover what is truly broken. It involves removing everything that is bad, so that everything good can replace it.
Key Actions:
- Self-Reflection: Ask yourself tough questions about your current life and what needs to change.
- Seek Wisdom: Engage with mentors and a supportive community to gain insights and encouragement.
- Learn Continuously: Read books, attend workshops, and seek knowledge that helps you grow.
Affiliate Links:
- Best Book: Becoming A King
- Mindset Books: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
- Further Reading: Soul Care
Quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
Section 3: EXPANSION – Growing Into Your Full Potential
As you begin to understand yourself better, you can start expanding into your full potential. This involves pushing your boundaries and embracing challenges that foster growth. Expansion is one of those things that excites you when you finally discover what is happening.
As we mature and grow, God expands our ability to withstand trials, understand His grace and live deeper into the calling that we have received. When we allow expansion to happen, we are choosing to grow and develop that way God designed it.
Unfortunately, expansion involves deep cuts and wounds along the way. Hardship is likely to present itself. You will face trials. The good news is that everything we encounter and endure will lead to further life and a greater ability to live out the calling on each of our lives.
Key Strategies:
- Embrace Challenges: See obstacles as opportunities for growth.
- Build Confidence: Step out of your comfort zone regularly to build resilience and confidence.
- Pursue Hard Tasks: Take on responsibilities and challenges that stretch your abilities.
Affiliate Links:
- Books on Personal Growth: Grit by Angela Duckworth
- Confidence-Building Courses: Becoming A King (Yes, it’s here again because it’s so freaking good).
- Yet, Another Book: Gently And Lowly
Quote: “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” – Arthur C. Clarke
Section 4: DO – Taking Action and Living Out Your Purpose
The final step is to take action. It’s time to implement what you’ve learned and start living out your purpose with intention and faith. This is where the rubber meets the road. You can complete the first three steps without any issue whatsoever. It’s the action part that hinders most people. That’s because it involves risk.
Risk is something that most people shy away from. In reality, risk is what produces the most benefit. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. We cannot possibly believe we are ever going to live a purposeful life without some sort of risk. You may ask the question, “How do I live a purpose-driven life?”.
The answer is simple. Do hard things often.
Action Steps:
- Set Actionable Goals: Break down your dreams into specific, actionable steps.
- Stay Committed: Persevere through challenges and stay committed to your purpose.
- Trust in God’s Plan: Have faith that God is guiding your journey and trust in His timing.
Affiliate Links:
- Planner for Goal Tracking: Goal Setting Planner
- Really Good Book: The Purpose of Man by A.W. Tozer
- Best Book: Do Hard Things
Quote: “Faith without works is dead.” – James 2:26 (NIV)
Conclusion
Living a purpose-driven life is a journey that requires dreaming big, digging deep, expanding your horizons, and taking consistent action. By following the DEED formula, you can break free from the monotony and start living a life full of purpose, adventure, and fulfillment.
Ready to start your journey? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more inspiration, tips, and resources to help you live a purpose-driven life.
Also, I’m in a great mood today, so I want to throw out some additional resources that I’ve personally used in my own life!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
How To Lead An Adventurous Life: Do Hard Things
6 Phases of Ambition: Download
Dream Adventurously: Download
4 Stages of Adventure: Download
Dream Life Plan: Download
About the Author
John Claborn
Hi! I’m John. Author of the post you just read. I like to write about all things adventure. Mostly things to help people live more adventurous lives and care for their families in a more meaningful way. By day, I’m a COO. By night, I’m a rad dad of 4 kids that I don’t deserve and a husband to a woman I can’t understand how I got. My goal is to show freedom to people through adventure and experiences.
