Life Purpose
People with a sense of purpose live longer (Alimujiang et al., 2019). Not metaphorically. Measurably. Purpose predicts lower mortality, better health outcomes, and higher life satisfaction.
The problem: most people can’t articulate theirs.
Purpose Isn’t Found. It’s Built.
The myth is that purpose exists somewhere, waiting to be discovered. Lightning-bolt clarity that tells you what you’re meant to do.
The reality: Purpose emerges from action, not contemplation. You try things, notice what feels meaningful, and build from there. Waiting for clarity keeps you stuck.
What Purpose Actually Looks Like
Purpose isn’t grand. It’s usually simple:
- Contribution: Who do you help? How?
- Creation: What do you make that wouldn’t exist without you?
- Connection: Who do you show up for?
- Mastery: What do you want to get better at?
You don’t need a world-changing mission. “Raise good humans” is a purpose. “Build things that work well” is a purpose. “Help people feel less alone” is a purpose.
How To Find It
Look backward: When did you feel most alive? Most useful? What were you doing?
Identify values: From a list of 50+ values, pick your top 5. What would you fight for?
Write a draft statement: “I want to [action] for [who] because [why].” It will be wrong. That’s fine. Iterate.
Test through action: Volunteer. Start a project. Take on new responsibilities. Purpose clarifies through doing, not thinking.
Daily Integration
The big purpose statement matters less than daily alignment:
- Morning: “How does today connect to what matters?”
- Decisions: “Does this move me toward or away from my values?”
- Evening: “What felt meaningful today?”
When Purpose Feels Absent
If everything feels pointless:
- Check the basics: Sleep, exercise, social connection. Meaninglessness often has physical roots.
- Help someone. Purpose through contribution is immediate and reliable.
- Lower the bar. You don’t need a Life Purpose. Just something worth doing tomorrow.
Purpose isn’t discovered in meditation. It’s revealed through action. Try things. Pay attention to what resonates.