Living With Intention
Living with purpose and pleasure means creating a life where each decision, connection, and action aligns with your authentic self.
It’s not about reaching a specific destination—it’s about loving every iteration of who you are along the journey.
For neurodivergent entrepreneurs, this philosophy resonates deeply.
We thrive not by adhering to a “one-size-fits-all” path but by embracing a life filled with curiosity, creativity, and continuous evolution.
This guide will help you unlock your self-awareness, engage authentically, and elevate every aspect of your life through self-expression and intentional growth.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Understand Who You Are—Self-Awareness and Acceptance
Self-awareness isn’t simply noticing your habits or triggers—it’s about understanding the conditioning, fears, and expectations that have shaped your decisions.
By reconnecting with your true self, you can ensure the voice in your head is truly yours.
What Stories Are You Living By?
Many of us live by unwritten rules handed down from family, culture, or society.
Perhaps you were taught that productivity equals worth, or that stability is more important than curiosity.
These beliefs often dictate our actions, leaving us disconnected from what we actually value.
Ask yourself: Are the stories I believe about success and fulfillment truly mine? By questioning these unwritten rules, you’ll begin shedding the fear-driven conditioning that holds you back.
Finding Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu became a mirror for me—a reflection of life’s natural evolution.
It’s an art form that grows with you. As your strength fades with age, your skill, knowledge, and technique deepen.
Every loss I’ve experienced on the mat—whether to someone younger, smaller, or faster—reinforced the beauty of non-linear growth.
Jiu-Jitsu unlocked a lifelong passion, where growth comes not from resistance but from leaning in.
Take a similar approach to your own self-awareness. Instead of resisting change, embrace its inevitability.
Self-discovery is a lifelong journey, not a task to complete.
For neurodivergent entrepreneurs like us, learning how to manage evolving interests can guide this rediscovery of self; here’s how to support your growth.
Unsure where to start? Use the Fulfillment Compass for clarity. It’s designed to help you identify where vitality leaks may have left you drained and how you can realign with joy and energy.
Step 2: Reconnect With Passion and Play
Passions are more than hobbies—they’re the lifeblood of a fulfilled life. Your interests, which may change over time, are powerful reminders of the joy to be found in curiosity and exploration.
Learn some tips to take control of your joy.
Permission to Explore
Many adults abandon passions because they feel “inconsequential” or “childish.”
But those are exactly the activities that reignite purpose. Whether it’s learning Jiu-Jitsu, painting, or even starting over with a new interest, pursuing your passions isn’t optional—it’s vital.
Action: Pick just one curiosity you’ve been putting off, and dedicate 30 minutes this week to exploring it.
Many people find personal growth through creativity, which can become a powerful conduit for deeper fulfillment.
Step 3: Engage Authentically in Relationships
Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for all others.
Living with purpose means showing up authentically in your connections, without needing to control how others see or define you.
Vulnerability as Strength
Instead of crafting a version of yourself to win approval, be intentional about letting others see you for who you truly are.
Vulnerable, mutual relationships—whether in business or personal life—drive connection and joy while rooting out superficiality.
Start by fostering collaborative and energizing relationships that uplift your purpose and remove the need for pretenses.
Step 4: Define and Refine Dynamic Boundaries
Boundaries act as guardrails to protect your energy and time, but they don't have to be inflexible walls.
Growth requires adapting your boundaries to life’s changing seasons while staying grounded in what keeps you whole.
Balancing Work and Play
Initially, I worked from a shared family space, hoping everyone would naturally respect my professional time.
That boundaryless approach, unsurprisingly, led to constant interruptions and frustration.
By creating a dedicated workspace downstairs, I built a boundary that let me fully focus on work—and completely enjoy family time once I stepped out of that space.
However, my boundaries weren’t static. On play-filled weekends, I allowed workspace “rules” to relax so I could connect with my family and recharge.
Explore how dynamic boundaries allow freedom while maintaining structure and emotional safety.
Step 5: Elevate Your Life Through Creativity
Creativity encompasses more than art—it’s the ability to pour energy into all aspects of life.
Whether you’re elevating your physical health, communication, mindset, or daily habits, creativity keeps you evolving and breaking through stagnant routines.
Facing Vitality Leaks
Reinvention is part of living with purpose.
If a part of your life feels stagnant—a stale career, a neglected hobby, or an unfulfilling routine—it’s likely a “vitality leak.”
Growth requires assessing where your energy is being lost and deliberately pouring yourself into what inspires you instead.
Thoughtfully designed environments can elevate your clarity and productivity; curate inspiring spaces that reflect your best vision for yourself.
Step 6: Live in Alignment with Joy
You cannot live with purpose if your actions, goals, and relationships are misaligned with your authentic self.
Alignment means celebrating who you are at every stage of life, without fear of what others think or what the future holds.
Purposeful decisions and joy-driven habits lead the way. Learn how to craft pleasure-led actions that keep you grounded and inspired.
Step 7: Use Tools to Realign and Grow
Living with purpose is an ongoing process of checking in with yourself.
Tools like the Fulfillment Compass can help you recognize where you feel out of alignment and where you can begin to restore energy and creativity.
Partnering for Continued Growth
Learning how to live fully is a lifelong skill. The right mentors and training can amplify that growth.
My own purpose became clearer when I sought to refine how I communicated and presented my story, a skill that was pivotal in my personal and professional journey.
Amplify your self-expression through Kaley Chu's Speaker Training, a resource that transforms how you share your purpose with the world.
Are the activities and tasks you're completing aligning with the life your life of purpose and pleasure?
Download the Daily Task Evaluation Template and make sure they are!
Key Takeaways
- Self-awareness means shedding fears and conditioning to reconnect with who you truly are.
- Purpose drives joy when you embrace passions and hobbies as lifelines to creativity.
- Authentic relationships stem from vulnerability and mutual growth—not control.
- Boundaries keep you centered but must remain flexible to support dynamic growth.
- Alignment ensures every choice, from daily habits to major changes, reflects your core values.
Start Living With Purpose and Pleasure
A life of purpose and pleasure isn’t created by chance—it’s crafted intentionally.
By exploring who you are, engaging authentically, and elevating your passions, you set the foundation for growth that always reflects your best self.
It’s time to take the next step. Join the Pleasure-Led Entrepreneur Membership. With support, tools, and community, you can continue your purpose-driven journey today.
DJ is a lifestyle enthusiast and founder of Pleasure Led Life, dedicated to helping others embrace a low-demand lifestyle filled with joy, balance, and personal fulfillment. With a passion for living authentically and prioritizing what truly matters, DJ shares practical tips and insights to guide you on your journey to a more pleasurable, stress-free life.
