Why we seek purpose?
Having a sense of purpose is like having an internal compass that guides decisions, motivates actions, and even provides meaning to life.
Taking care of children can instantly align us with our purpose so that our intentional choices reflect what matters most.
Purpose is deeply personal and evolving as it defines our values, passions, and strengths.
Identifying your purpose can enhance your resilience, well-being, and fulfillment.
Defining Purpose
Consulting and coaching have given me a renewed sense of purpose in my professional life. Doing this work has helped me to discover new joys in helping people gain insight and improve their lives and organizations. If you are navigating change or transition, clarifying purpose could help to create focus amid uncertainty.
A sense of purpose represents your profound connection to what you perceive as meaningful in life. It guides actions and behaviors by providing a compelling reason to pursue a direction for personal growth. This concept transcends a simple goal; purpose is a continuous journey of self-discovery, aligning your identity with your aspirations and values.
Psychological Perspectives
Psychology tends to view purpose as a stable and generalized intention to achieve a long-term goal that is personally meaningful and contributes positively to the world beyond ourselves. Viktor Frankl's "Will to Meaning" theory suggests that the human search for meaning is a primary motivational force for well-being and survival, in contrast to other psychological theories that emphasize the "will to pleasure" (Freud) or the "will to power" (Adler). Self-Determination Theory (SDT) also connects purpose to innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, essential drivers of intrinsic motivation and personal development, suggesting that when you feel a sense of choice and agency in your actions, your motivation and overall well-being are significantly enhanced.
Philosophical Perspectives
Philosophical traditions offer diverse interpretations of purpose. Existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre argued that life has no inherent, predetermined meaning. We are free and responsible for creating our purpose through our choices and actions, encapsulated in the dictum "existence precedes essence.” In contrast, Aristotle's concept of Eudaimonia, often translated as "flourishing," suggests that the meaning of life is achieved by living virtuously and fulfilling our potential through rational thought and ethical behavior, while Stoicism proposed that meaning is found by aligning ourselves with nature and cultivating inner peace and resilience through acceptance and mindfulness, even amidst life's inherent unpredictability.
Sociological Perspectives
Sociological insights highlight the collective dimensions of purpose. Émile Durkheim's theory of "anomie" describes a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social cohesion, where a lack of clear societal norms can lead to a sense of purposelessness. Subsequently, Social Identity Theory suggests that group affiliations provide shared goals and missions, which can imbue members with a sense of direction and purpose within a larger community. This perspective emphasizes how societal structures and collective identities shape our sense of self and perceived purpose.
A significant characteristic consistently observed across psychology, philosophy, and sociology is the inherent orientation of purpose toward something larger than oneself. This "beyond the self" aspect distinguishes a profound sense of purpose from personal goal-setting or hedonic pursuits, suggesting that for a purpose to be truly impactful and fulfilling, it must transcend purely personal aims and connect your life to a greater good, community, or set of values. This orientation differentiates purpose from mere self-interest and underpins its benefits.
Benefits
Psychologically and emotionally, purpose is strongly linked to greater life satisfaction, happiness, positive outlook, and reduced depressive symptoms. Physically, it contributes to increased longevity, reduced risk of chronic diseases like dementia, and encourages healthier lifestyle choices. Purpose also appears to enhance cognitive functions and helps individuals recover more quickly from negative stimuli, suggesting a role in resilience. In organizational settings, a shared sense of purpose unifies teams, drives engagement, and propels collective progress.
Key Components of Purpose
Research by Kendall Cotton Bronk identifies four essential components for developing a robust sense of purpose:
Dedicated commitment to a goal
Personal meaningfulness derived from that goal
Clear goal-directedness
Vision that extends beyond oneself
This process often involves deep reflection on past experiences, thoroughly assessing personal values and skills, and envisioning a future that contributes to a better world. But don’t be fooled. Purpose is not fixed.
Your purpose may shift as experiences accumulate and perspectives broaden. Research consistently points out that finding your purpose is not a “one and done” pursuit; it’s a continuous, adaptive process that changes and develops over our lifespans. This liberates us from the pressure of identifying one ultimate purpose and encourages adaptation during life transitions, such as career changes or retirement.
It also implies that the search for meaning is a lifelong endeavor, continuously shaped by new experiences, relationships, and evolving values.