Follow Your Bliss To Become The Best You

While we’ve all heard the term “follow your bliss,” many of us aren’t quite sure what it really means.

The term was actually coined by Joseph Campbell, a well-known mythology teacher who saw it as a crucial part of living life to the fullest. Here’s what the real meaning of bliss is, and how you can truly follow it and open endless doors for yourself.

What is Bliss?

Joseph Campbell, a famous teacher of mythology, had no idea that his words would be so powerful and remembered. Campbell inspired some of the world’s greatest films including Star Wars, and is responsible for coining the term “follow your bliss” in the ‘70s — a phrase that can be heard constantly today.

As you ask yourself what does bliss mean exactly, it’s hard to truly define it in one simple sentence. It may sound like a tall order to be something that defines your entire life, but what Campbell truly meant was not one single, static thing or activity.

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1. How To Start Doing It

So you want to follow your bliss — that’s great! But how in the world do you get started?

Well, if we follow Campbell’s advice, the best way to go about it to listen to our inner voice as deeply as we can. Feel what’s inside of you, and that voice will direct you in the best way possible.

From there, the magic will begin because your bliss is a part of your essential nature.

2. Is Bliss an Attitude?

While bliss may sound like a mood or a state of happiness, it’s everything but that. It is believed that trying to force bliss can cause a strain and an insincere state of mind.

When someone around us is pretending to be happy, it’s very clear that it’s forced.

Rather than being an attitude, it’s something that becomes a fundamental part of our nature.

3. Can Bliss Be Measured?

Since bliss is not a static state, it’s hard to truly measure it on a traditional scale. And although bliss is not an attitude, when we are feeling good, naturally we are bound to feel happier as a result.

As we reduce stress in our lives, we allow it to develop into something beautiful.

Studies have found that when you follow your bliss, depression is decreased, there is a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, a decrease in stress, an increase in self-confidence, and overall a more positive outlook on life. Finding your bliss means being happy, and in turn, your entire life and well-being both physically and mentally will naturally benefit.

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How Can Bliss Help Entrepreneurs?

While following your bliss may seem like a personal thing, it’s actually also something that can help you greatly as an entrepreneur trying to build a business.

In Campbell’s own powerful words about bliss: “If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are — if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time.”

Campbell has taught us that if we do what we are most passionate about, we will feel more alive than ever, and in turn will open up new doors for ourselves.

1. Base Your Business On Bliss

While many business owners commonly place their focus on the profit they aim to earn, it’s not in fact the best way to work.

As an entrepreneur, it’s most important to put the values and mission of your company before all. Businesses exist for a reason, and that reason tends to be because it helps people in some way or another, offering customers a service that they feel they need.

By placing your focus more on the values of your company and what you are truly passionate about, your business will all come together. You will slowly see that everything you’ve been doing comes back down to this main goal of yours.

2. Focus On Your Customers

While running a company, it’s very easy to forget why you started in the first place, and lose sight of your customers.

If you truly do follow your bliss, however, your focus will be shifted to ensuring that your customers are satisfied. You will be acting out of passion, rather than merely thinking about your bank account.

If you’ve been going through a rough patch, consider the customers that you want to help, and why you want to do that. Put yourself in their shoes, and consider what they need most right now. Putting your customers first is exactly what your business needs.

How Can You Start Following Your Bliss?

1. Listen

Allow yourself to truly listen to that inner voice. Pay attention when your heart fills up with happiness about a new door opening. Don’t let those moments get away and go unnoticed. That’s how you follow your bliss.

2. Act

Actions speak louder than words. We’ve all heard it before but it really couldn’t be more true. Take those steps, even just one to really follow your heart and live with intention. Question yourself constantly.

3. Share

Part of following your bliss means sharing it with those that you trust and love. Never fear to express your passions and dreams with others. By sharing these feelings, we are accepting them fully.

What is Your Bliss?

If you are looking for some inspiration as you aspire to follow your bliss, whatever that may mean for you, look no further than these powerful and wise quotes by the legendary John Campbell — the father of following our bliss.

‘‘If you can’t see your path laid out for you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.’’

‘‘A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.’’

‘‘You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you.’’

‘‘Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.’’

‘‘The goal of life is to make your heartbeat make the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.’’

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Myths About Following Your Bliss

Joseph Campbell has left us all with one seriously useful secret. Following our bliss is not all that complicated, provided we learn how to really do it.

But unfortunately, there are many false myths out there that make it seem much more unnecessarily complicated.

Too Risky

Many people for some reason are convinced that following their bliss is too risky. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

There is nothing risky about following your heart, listening to your gut, and doing what you are most passionate about. What do you really have to lose? What’s really risky at the end of the day is doing something that doesn’t make you happy.

It Means Quitting Your Job

This is another seriously false myth! Perhaps following your bliss does mean you should quit your job — but it’s surely not something that always must be. It depends on what your job is and how you feel about it.

Many people get confused and think that they have to quit their job in order to find their bliss. Whether or not you love your job, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s your bliss. You can be in a job that you don’t absolutely love and still find your bliss elsewhere.

Bliss Means Only Doing Things That Make You Happy

Life is great when you’re doing only the specific things that make you happy. But that’s not always realistic, and that’s not what bliss truly means. You can be doing certain things that help you find your bliss, while there may be some things in your life that you wish weren’t there. Perhaps you love your partner and your children, and they are your bliss, but you still struggle with your career. Your family can be your bliss while your work situation is not ideal.

Instant Success Will Follow

This is also unfortunately a myth when it comes to following your bliss. Finding your bliss is a process that never truly ends. Following your bliss means trusting that everything will work out, even if things aren’t completely perfect.

Success will come at some point, but not necessarily right away, and you can still find your bliss before that point.

You Only Have One Bliss

It’s very easy to convince ourselves that we have only one bliss and once we find that, everything will come together. But this is false! There are endless things in this world that can help you to follow your bliss, including anything from obtaining a degree to painting a picture.

If you have yet to find your bliss, fear not! You will find it when the time is right and when the right thing comes your way. And now that you are an expert on following your bliss, you should have no problem getting there.