Purpose In Life and How To Find it
In these “Ember” months, as we approach the end of the year and prepare for the new one, many people come under much pressure to meet their goals for the year.
Despite our good intentions and “new-year new-me” promises, there is a crazyness that can be observed as the hustle and struggles of everyday life continues. Some dread the thought of the increasing cost of living, high stress, high stakes or a job. Others may despise the uncertainty of thankless work, and another may question the definition of work life balance. From conversations I have had, there is a general yearning for a deeper sense of connection — a need for direction, for passion, for something more than a paycheck… a need for purpose!
A high percentage of adults would classify meaningful work as an important goal in life. In fact, meaningful work ranks above children, a prestigious career, wealth, and leadership, in importance. It is only below financial security and marriage with a large majority agreeing that it is important to live a life of purpoe and that a life of purpose is a life well spent.
So what exactly is purpose and why does it matter?
The meaning of purpose
Purpose is “a cognitive process that defines life goals and provides personal meaning.” In other words, it’s a way of thinking about what you want to achieve and how to make sense of your life.
The goal-orientation of purpose, saying that it is the “quality of being determined to do or achieve an end”, an “authentic purpose,” is one that “employs one’s gifts, brings a deep sense of worth or value, and provides a significant contribution to the common good.” By this definition, we see that having purpose gives direction and adds value to society. You are making the world a better place!
This doesn’t mean that you have to give up your worldly possessions and isolate ourselves. We all find purpose differently. It’s true that some people feel they’re on-track when rallying people to a cause or rescuing the needy. But others will find their purpose in the act of comforting a sick child, going to the gym, or making a nutritious meal to share. Some people find purpose in the creation of art or music, others in a neatly prepared spreadsheet.
There is a difference between “meaning” and “purpose,” which are highly interrelated but not the same thing.
In general, meaning looks backward and helps you make sense of things that have occured in your past. Purpose on the other hand motivates us towards the future and is forward thinking. It involves more than just understanding something. Purpose requires doing and contributing.
Why do we need purpose?
The more meaning and purpose people feel they have, the better health they have. A 2011 study found that cocaine addicts who have purpose in life are half as likely to relapse six months after rehab as addicts who do not have that sense of purpose.
This makes sense. If you don’t know what your purpose is, you don’t know why you are here and it can be hard to keep going. When you have purpose you feel that your existence matters and that what you do every day is important. In turn, you feel driven to behave in ways that allow you to work toward your goals.
People who have found their purpose have significantly more positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, as well as significantly lower negative emotion than those who are still searching for it. With purpose comes clear goals and intentions, a sense of direction, and a determination to accomplish something. Without it, we are are lost, searching… dissatisfied.
How do we find purpose?
We all know atleast one person who has felt their calling their entire lives, or heard of someone who has survived against the odds and now lives life to the fullest. But despite the tales, the vast majority of us are not born knowing our purpose or have a defining ‘ah ha’ moment to speak of.
A lot of people encounter ‘purpose anxiety’ — feelings of stress, worry, anxiety, frustration, and fear during our search for purpose, or while struggling to enact it. So many feel their purpose should be something grand like it is in the superhero movies and we feel inadequate if we’re not grand as much. If you’ve watched the Disney movie, Soul, this might sound familiar.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s a great word in the Japanese language — Ikigai — which means having “a reason for being.” You may live to wake up in the morning and raise your children, build your business, or simply tend your vegetable garden. It may also be that you have more than one purpose in your life and that each is completely independent of the other.
As you move through your life we’ll spend time doing mundane and routine things and we’ll also spend time doing things that have significance and importance. It’s the things that are important to you that give you purpose. So, rather than asking vague and lofty questions such as — “Why am I here?” or “Where is my place?”, in many ways what you’re really asking is,
“What can I do with my time that is important to me?”
How do I use my gifts, what makes me authentic, what gives me sense of value, and how can I contribute to the common good. You might ask, “What lights me up and provides a tangible benefit to other people’s lives?
As time passes and the year comes to an end with experience, I become more aware that “there is no time” and I want to make the most of my time here. For me, having meaningful close relationships with others is essential, which is why nurturing my family and friendships is so important to me.
For me I would say I find purpose in caring, forgiving, sharing and impacting others through meaningful relationships that can be nurture as our time here permits!
At Farmz2u, we want to help you find your purpose, if we can. We do this by creating an environment where undiscovered talents flourish. And where you’ll hopefully find something that makes the life in your years matter! Find out more about our work culture at careers.farmz2u.com.
