Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it
Anyone who has ever been to some self-improvement section on the internet, stumbled upon a motivational quote, or encountered an interview with a minor celebrity has inevitably encountered the word “purpose.”
It has become omnipresent, used in virtually every context.
This has lead to the term loosing much of its depth and clarity over time however – despite its profound significance.
Moreover, the definition of purpose itself seems to be evolving into a vague concept.
Today, I aim to explore what purpose truly means, how you can discover your own purpose, and draw insights from the wisdom of some of the greatest minds in history.
What is purpose?
Generally defined as the reason for existence or action, purpose encapsulates the meaning, intention, or significance behind our actions or even our very existence.
Often connected to spiritual connotations, it seeks to clarify the deeper motives underlying seemingly mundane pursuits, such as the pursuit of wealth.
Some say that purpose in life unfolds in stages, with each accomplishment marking the beginning of a new phase.
The journey of life is thus characterized by a continual striving towards new milestones and the perpetual search for personal evolution.
This perspective differs from the notion that life is simply defined by a single purpose.
How do you find your own purpose?
Entire books have been dedicated to this pursuit, acknowledging its highly complex nature.
Discovering one’s purpose is an inherently personal and deeply introspective challenge.
However, I try to provide a few insights that may inspire those unsure of their path.
The most important aspect to this is self-reflection.
It is essential to become attuned to your own values, interests, and passions.
Identifying what truly matters to you in life can serve as a solid foundation in this.
A useful exercise is examining the origins of your desires and life aspirations.
Often, societal norms dictate pursuits such as wealth, physical fitness, and sexual success as the only goals – espacially for young men.
These norms are promoted by all kinds of origins, from social media to advertising.
By recognizing these external influences, you can consciously detach from pursuits that may not authentically align with your inner self.
Periods in which you consciously minimalize external stimulation for a certain amount of hours or even days can help you in finding genuine desires and priorities.
Another beneficial exercise is contemplating your own funeral.
Consider what you would wish to hear from different areas of your life—family, friends, colleagues.
Few would desire family and friends solely talking about your workaholic tendencies.
Imagining the ideal speech can provide clarity on what truly matters to you and guide your actions accordingly.
Exploring diverse approaches can be enlightening.
If introspection alone proves insufficient, diving into new experiences, hobbies, and unfamiliar situations can offer valuable perspectives.
Life is rich with variety, and by embracing new opportunities—even those previously deemed unconventional—you may discover fulfilling things previously overlooked.
Continuously setting meaningful small and medium-term goals is another beneficial strategy.
Even without a clear vision of life’s ultimate purpose, engaging in endeavors that resonate with personal significance can provide valuable insights.
Working on something that induces a state of flow, where time seems to slip away unnoticed, often indicates alignment between one’s goals and inherent traits.
Conversely, persistent feelings of stagnation and frustration may signal the need for reassessment.
Do not necessarily abandon every goal at the first hurdle though.
Seeking guidance from others can also be invaluable.
While professional counselors, coaches, or mentors offer structured support, confiding in close friends and family can provide more personal insights.
Espacially reflecting on childhood experiences can unveil early inclinations and preferences.
Moreover, talking to a lot of people can offer varying perspectives, broadening one’s understanding of purpose.
Finally, it’s worth noting the importance of tuning into your intuition.
Some aspects of purpose may elude conscious explanation, and intuition can serve as a valuable guide.
For instance, cultivating a good awareness of your inner voice and intuition, often trained through practices like meditation, can offer insights into your deeper inclinations and aspirations.
By paying attention to what motivates, energizes, and fulfills you, both individually and in your interactions with others, you can gain valuable insights in navigating your path.
Philosophical Ideas
Having covered practical strategies for discovering your purpose, I’d like to delve into some philosophical ideas on the subject.
These concepts are very multifaceted, extending far beyond the brief explanations provided here.
If any particular idea spikes your interest, I encourage you to explore it further or reach out to me for more discussion.
Throughout history, diverse perspectives on the meaning of life have emerged, often conflicting with one another.
Existentialists, such as Sartre, state that life lacks inherent purpose and that individuals must forge their own meaning through personal responsibility and decision-making.
Ethical philosophers argue that the essence of life lies in living an honorable and virtuous existence, emphasizing moral integrity and character development as central to the human experience.
On the other hand, utilitarian philosophers advocate for maximizing overall happiness as the ultimate purpose of life. Rooted in hedonistic principles, this perspective prioritizes the pursuit of pleasure and personal satisfaction.
Nihilistic viewpoints reject the notion of any inherent meaning, viewing it as a mere illusion. Friedrich Nietzsche is a prominent figure associated with nihilism.
Religious beliefs offer another lens through which to contemplate life’s meaning, often centering around a relationship with a divine entity or higher reality. Various faith traditions provide guidance on aligning with this transcendent truth.
I think it has become obvious that purpose transcends mere simplicity and cannot be encapsulated in a single word or image.
It is a deeply profound subject, far beyond the scope of this article.
Nonetheless, my aim was to provide some clarity on this concept and perhaps offer you new insights into how to navigate your own quest for purpose.
Whether through introspection, exploration of various perspectives, or engagement with your intuition, finding purpose is a deeply personal journey.
I hope this article has sparked contemplation and provided you with some valuable guidance as you continue to explore the meaning and purpose in your own life.
Hope I could help. If you enjoyed the article or if you have any questions or comments please let me know down below.
Nick
