You’ve probably heard of the importance of purpose before, but have you really thought about how to leverage it in your life? Harnessing the power of purpose can help you achieve your goals, whether overcoming personal tragedy or traumas, battling day-to-day challenges, or simply seeking a more meaningful life.

After I lost my wife to cancer, I was in the darkest place in my life. My whole life had been devastated, and I had lost the purpose I had been carrying for the last eight months as a caregiver. I was grieving hard, struggling with my traumas, and trying to keep it together for my two kids.

One day, I was sitting on my couch, reeling from what had happened. I felt scared, alone, and lost. I was hurting, and I couldn’t see the path forward. I felt like a failure—like I had let my family down. I knew I couldn’t give in because people still counted on me. I just didn’t know how to bring myself out of my mental slump. How could I find the inner strength to take action?

As I sat there, my mind spiraling into despair, my kids were laughing and playing games with each other. I was amazed at their resilience—how they could continue living in the moment and experiencing joy and happiness despite everything that had occurred. I thought to myself, "How can they continue having fun when I feel like my world has ended?"

That’s when a memory popped into my head, where a colleague of mine, Justin, said, “You aren’t tired when you’re inspired.”

I thought about that message, which I had delivered dozens of times while facilitating leadership courses in the prior two years. I thought, “Purpose is all nice when things are going well; what about when my life is in chaos? Can I still apply this when I feel lost, hurt, and depressed?”

I realized that this was exactly why I needed to find my purpose. I knew I still had a purpose – my two kids. I again looked at them, and instead of wallowing in my thoughts and envying their ability to live in the moment, I decided to do something different. I pushed my dark feelings aside and sat down with them to play games. It was a small act, but it was a movement in the right direction.

Although my life was in complete disarray, I knew I would do anything possible for them. I owed it to them to do the inner work required to get myself back on track so that I could be there for them and give them the support they needed. I couldn’t wallow because my kids needed me.

I had many days when it would have been easier to just stay in bed. It would have been easy not to exercise, not eat healthy, and not seek help – and it may have even been understandable. However, during those times when I wanted to do anything but the right thing, I would think about my kids. I would picture their smiles and see them looking to me for strength. I would see them bravely allowing themselves moments of vulnerability and grief while also continuing forward.

By tapping into purpose, I was able to take that next step. I could use those thoughts to shake off the depression and grief and do what needed to be done for my health. Whenever I faltered, I would think about why I needed to get up and act. The thought of their smiles allowed me to move forward – bit by bit, healing myself and rebuilding my life.

If you are struggling with your mental health, it’s likely you know the steps to take. You might find yourself battling the dark voices in your head that tell you that you can’t do it, that you can’t go on, that you don’t have the strength. The key is to find your purpose, which you can connect with to inspire you to take that step and keep moving forward.

Purpose doesn’t improve everything, but it helps put things into perspective and provide inspiration. Don’t despair if you are having trouble finding a purpose. You can still take action and trust that your purpose will be revealed as you move forward. If you have difficulty finding a purpose, I’ve provided a few tips to get you started:

1. You can look to your family for purpose. Who loves you, and who is depending on you?
2. Acts of service can provide value. What gifts do you have that you will one day be able to share with the world? Is there a way you can give back through volunteering?
3. Seek inspiration by consuming content that speaks to you, such as a book, podcast, or video. Other people’s stories can motivate you and help you craft your own internal story.
4. Set small goals to provide a short-term purpose to get you moving.
5. Speak with your support network, a coach, or a therapist to help you identify a purpose. An outside perspective can help you overcome limiting beliefs.

When I tapped into purpose, it helped guide my actions toward a more positive, healthier state. Instead of floundering, I had a clear reason to move forward. Wherever you are in your journey – whether you are struggling with mental illness or simply want to live a healthier, happier life – identifying a purpose will support you in hitting your goals. You got this!