We’ve talked about the BIG P – the part of your soul’s purpose, that’s your life’s work, what you were born to do. But what about your little “p” or what your soul is calling you to do for the short term? 

I really like the little p because even if you are struggling to figure out what your Big P is, you can still stay on track by tuning in to your little p. Your little p will always lead to your Big P. Your little p says, “It’s okay to be where you are, don’t worry about the future just be here with me now and I’ll make sure you get to where you need to be.”

Sometimes, it’s impossible to see your Big P clearly until you have fully addressed your little p. For example, someone who has lived through abuse or has health challenges may need to heal and recover before their Big P gets into focus or is even possible to realize. 

Even people who know their Big P need to follow their little p to achieve their Big P. Remember we talked about Jane Goodall’s Big P – to promote understanding and protection of great apes and their habitat. Today, she travels the world, speaking to inspire action. Can you imagine if she started doing that in 1960 instead of living among the chimpanzees in Tanzania? She first needed to understand the apes and their needs and gain credibility before she could be an effective advocate for them. 

It’s normal to wish we were farther along than we are. If that’s where you are, go ahead – take time to feel like crap about being where you are. It’s okay. I hereby give you permission to feel like crap for as long as you like – it can be your little p. And when you’re done feeling like crap, ask: “Soul, what do you want me to focus on now?” You define now according to what you need – this moment, today, this week, this year? Maybe, it just takes as long as it takes – that’s okay.

Use the list of common little p’s below to help your soul hone in on yours. Careful though, don’t pick too many, 2 or 3 will suffice. Anything more than that will be counter productive.  

1. Explore Your Options 
2. Learn or Study 
3. Create or Birth
4. Prepare
5. Pursue &/or Receive What You Need to Live Your Purpose
6. Connect with Others
7. Perform Your Craft or Purpose
8. Survive, Manage, or Protect from Crisis 
9. Lobby for Change 
10. Prune and Purge People, Activities and Things
11. Rest, Recover and Heal from a Physical/Emotional Difficulty
12. Re-discover Yourself After a Life Change
13. Be a Caretaker for a Loved One 
14. Make Time and Space to Hear Your Soul
15. Coast & Have Fun
16. Develop Good Self-Care Habits 
17. Improve Your Financial Health 
18. Heal Damaged Relationships 
19. Stand Up for Yourself
20. Move away from danger 

If you feel so moved, please let me know how focusing on little p works for you by writing comments below. 

Until next week, I wish you well on your journey.