Magnum Opus - How to Find Your Purpose in Life

Magnum opus is a latin term that is defined as someone’s greatest life achievement. It is the highest intersection of talent, skill and hard work, when someone reaches their maximum potential at the exact right time in the exact right place.
Everyone has a massive amount of potential, whether it be an invention, a painting, a song, a journey, a book, an idea, you name it, but very few actually get to flourish and reach for that potential. When you’re a young child, you hold the belief that anything is possible, no dream is too big...so what happens between childhood and adulthood that crushes so many dreams? Why do so many settle? Is it the school system? Is it “realistic” expectations? Financial fear? Practicality? A lack of belief?

The reason people don’t attempt their magnum opus is because of doubt. Doubt is the ultimate crippler of ambition. In order to believe in yourself, you must have evidence to support this belief. It’s like a table. Your belief is the table-top and the legs are experiences and evidence that support the belief. Doubt is like a woodpecker, that chips away at the legs of the table. When enough doubt creeps into your mind, the table comes crashing down and you no longer believe in yourself. The key is to reverse this process. Move toward beliefs that empower you, then find role models, experiences, stories and evidence to support the new empowering belief. Most importantly, do not listen to the doubters. Doubters are cynical people who have never attempted what you’re setting out to do. Buddha said, “we are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” Achieving your goal starts with the mental belief that it can be done. Attitude is far more important than IQ.

It may seem scary and unfamiliar, for the path to your magnum opus is never easy. You will have to be willing to take risks, sacrifice, and to go the extra mile. At the end of this short life, you want to look back and say, i gave it my all. I took a shot, and left it all on the line.

This simple exercise can help you focus your energy and home in on your magnum opus journey. Write down things you love to do, things you’re good at and things people will pay you to do. The intersection of these 3 categories is your “sweet spot”. Perhaps you can combine things from all 3 categories. The key to reaching your magnum opus is to find your sweet spot and take action.

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[quinnlevy]

"If people don't laugh at your dreams, then your dreams are not big enough". I'm gonna need to use that one

[AfterSkool]

Above the whiteboard, where I make all these videos, I have written in big letters, "Magnum Opus". I use this term as motivation. Every time I look at it, I am reminded that each video must be better than the last.

[solztice]

For YEARS I've been telling myself, "Man, I wish I could make music." I've been writing songs since the age of six. I participated in music groups during middle school. Looking back now, it couldn't have been more obvious that making music was established on my path for a reason. Unfortunately, along came high school and with it so did the natural influx of teenage insecurities. For some reason, somewhere along the way, I just stopped believing that pursuing music was a realistic dream to have. I doubted my talents, and I swallowed my voice. I pushed away any belief that I had. I pushed my souls most passionate dream away. I let other people around me decide for me that I'd never make it as a musician. People who had never even heard my music or seen my lyrics.

I ended up attending university for 2 years, flunked most of my classes, because deep down in my heart I knew that wasn't what I wanted to do. I decided this year that I'd take a break from school to really figure out what my true passions are, and what I have a good shot at achieving. Then along came COVID. Since the beginning of this pandemic, I've had no choice but to re-visit my passion for making music and writing songs. I am blown away by how natural this feels compared to forcing myself to sit through uni lectures and dreading final essays. I've spent hours upon hours teaching myself how to produce music, and have made a plethora of songs within only a couple of months. I definitely still have a long way to go, but it's a start. Of course there are some people around me who are trying to impose doubt and judgement, but I understand that it's coming from a place within themselves where they aren't able to be confident enough in their own dreams, so naturally they doubt others. There's also some really great people who I'm lucky enough to call my friends, who are excited for me and support me in my decision. I've decided to listen to the supporters.

All in all, I'm very happy that I've chosen to revisit my passion. There's a part of me that does wish that I hadn't given up all those years ago, because I can't help to think that maybe I would've been closer to reaching my Magnum Opus by now. I know that way of thinking is useless. I'm here now, and from here I can only go up or go back. I'm not too keen on going back, so I'm choosing to believe that I'm going up.

The reason I took the time to write this long message is because I want anybody reading this to know that the biggest dream that you have is the biggest one for a reason. It is who you are. Do not let the doubters fool you into becoming one of them. Do not let social media, or a soul sucking 9-5 job, or a negative parent/relative distract you from what your heart really wants. You deserve to live your life knowing that you've at least tried. I've only just started on this path, and though it is still very daunting, I've found that taking it one day at a time and working on my skills with patience has been extremely rewarding.

For anyone who may need to hear this, I believe in you. I hope you choose to do what you love. I support you.

[TheLifeFormulaa]

Doubt and fear is the number one thing that hold people back. You have to understand that people that are courageous still have fear so take action.

[dans]

Ah, yes, the genius trifecta -- Michaelangelo, Einstein... Linkin Park.

[maracachucho]

A single act of kindess is far greater than satisfying any selfish ambition, is what I believe. You can do great things, but if you're doing them for yourself then don't be surprised when you achieve your goals and the void in your heart doesn't go away.

[mccabe]

This is one of the best YouTube channels. You really give me hope.

[JeffreyMarr]

I've been working on my dreams for 3 years now (build a youtube and a business), and I'm still not where I want to be. But that's okay, I am learning so many valuable things along the way, that it doesn't matter.

But only giving yourself a year is not enough time. Things can take a lot longer and we need to do them for the work itself, not just the result.

[JJAX]

I hope everyone finds there purpose in life everyone on this earth is special and deserves to chase there dream

[regularfather]

As I prepare to begin college for the first time at 37 years old, this video is a nice framing of my decision.

[KeertikaAndFallenTree]

I used to comment on your videos, but once again I have to say, thank you. Really, thank you for giving me and probably giving US determination. In those dreams that I let fade away, for those hopes I let shatter on the ground. Your videos strenghten my will to never give up, to still act towards the thoughts I had, despite how crazy, strange, doubtful they might be.
I remember when I started, by myself, to ride a bike. I kept falling and falling but my will to overcome this was stronger and stronger with each one of those falls and eventually I did it. Then, when my sister tried to do so, without knowing it, I tell her what is one of the most important life lessons. You can't achieve your goals if you keep fearing to fall.
So you know what? I'll take the challenge. I'll give myself a chance. I want to believe in my dreams once again. The true failure is not to fall after all, it's to stay on the ground after it.

[cindyphan]

"Growing up is to give up the potential to be everything." - Jordan Peterson. I think the best solution for us is to pick a direction and focus. And I know that is much easier said than done.

[Beautifulcoil]

What a fantastic video, just a small note: The "sweet spot" is just career-wise. Career isn't life. I get paid to do graphic design, which I love, but my purpose in life is much bigger than that.

[williamschmidt]

This is true, I can tell you this because I am living it, the strength needed to withstand the negativity is sometimes overwhelming. you must find your strength and inspiration daily

[oisin]

2:09 all you need is the evidence and "expepience"

[jolicanada]

I love the illustrations/animations used in these videos. The whole creative set up to make these videos is impressive.

[Thundercracker]

Beautiful message! Thank you for inspiring me to cast those doubts away.

[mwngt]

I agree with this video for many important reasons. I’ll name one:

Reaching to your Magnum Opus is not only important for you personally, but professionally.

If you have a new take on an existing problem, not only will you learn new skills, but you’ll also lead your own unique experience, and probably in your own new field. It’s how you Shine!

Also, there is a saying: “you want to make a billion bucks, you have to affect a billion people.” Meaning: the more people you want to help, the more valuable is your endeavor. So even if you fail the first n-number of times, those who believe in your idea will help you get back on your feet, either to get your project back up-n-running, or to offer you a job for your newly earned specialty. The world is increasingly getting connected so you’re never alone!

That said, like in the video, you’ll have to make compromises, planning, risk calculation, and have SMART milestones to achieve your goal.

You might never make a billion bucks, but you would certainly make yourself, and the people around you, happy 😉

[TheSamuiman]

My Magnum Opus is to live life to it's fullest and take things as they are with the possibilities I have!

[turbonbc]

Attitude is far more important than IQ < This right here is great wisdom!