How to Find Your Purpose in Life

Purpose in life is “having goals, a sense of direction and a feeling that there is meaning to present and past life,” as defined by Population Health Management. But this enlightenment does not happen overnight. It’s a journey with many dead ends before you find what you didn’t know you were looking for.

The importance of finding your purpose prevails throughout life but is particularly evident as we age. Studies have shown a strong link between purpose in life and better health outcomes. But it is not only helpful for aging gracefully. A New York Times article references a study that followed over 6,000 people for 14 years. Researchers found that “having purpose was protective across the lifespan for people in their 20s as well as those in their 70s.” Having purpose also gives you resilience, which can lead to success in many areas.

It explains why we take jobs we don’t want, to earn money that never seems like enough, to accumulate stuff we don’t need, to impress people we don’t like. It could be that happiness is not the end goal but rather a bonus you receive when you uncover something more meaningful.

2. Accumulating Wealth May Make You Happy But Not Give You Purpose
As Marcus has said, “Money is a byproduct, not the purpose.” You may be a happy person, yet there is a difference between being happy and having meaning in your life. The Journal of Positive Psychology summarizes survey results indicating that satisfying what you need and what you want may increase happiness but does not impact meaningfulness. Happiness is mostly about the present and your role as a taker. Meaningfulness integrates the past, present and future, where you act more as a giver.

3. What Would You Do for Free?
For a moment, put aside the need to make a living or any other obligations, and think about how you would want to spend your time. Dig deep and ask yourself why. Look beyond dreams of lying on the beach with an island cocktail, and explore what you want to create, contribute or build that would leave you internally satisfied at the end of the day. Think about what makes you feel good within your soul, and let that serve as your guiding light to identify what has meaning for you.

2. Having a Purpose Lends Itself to a Heightened Focus on Things That Matter
You may be thinking that sense of purpose sounds like a self-indulgent, otherworldly concept. But it does have a practical application. The sense of well-being you derive helps you make better decisions regarding your finances, health, career and relationships. Decisions are more likely to be made with a long range of sight rather than on impulse or reflex for short-term gratification.

3. Awareness of Your Purpose in Life is a Contributing Factor to Success
A Danish survey, published in the National Library of Medicine, questioned 10,000 people about their quality of life and included questions about how happy they were and if their needs were fulfilled. The pilot studies showed that by grasping the basic concepts of quality of life, people perceive their lives as more meaningful and that this philosophy can help people assume greater responsibility for their own existence. In a follow-up article, the researchers concluded that “when many people experience not having success, it is because they are not conscious about their original purpose or the deepest meaning of their lives.”

As Marcus has said, “Surround yourself with good people.” It may be a mentor, teacher or family member. Initiate a conversation to understand their source of fulfillment and discovery process. Talking to positive-minded people can help you gain insight and learn about opportunities to locate your own path toward purpose in life.

3. Apply Your Talents to Help Make Life Better for Others
If there is something going on in the world, your community, school or professional life, that gets under your skin, think about what talent you have to support organizations that work to make these conditions better. Maybe you see animals treated poorly, students who need tutoring or coworkers who would benefit from mentoring. Chances are that others want to help too, and you can join or form a group to address the issue. This doesn’t mean you need to be entrenched in the battleground. If you excel in graphic design, newsletter design or technology, be aware that many organizations need back-shop support too. Maybe you can get some ideas by reviewing lists of top charities in your area.

If you work in a field like nonprofit, emergency care or social work, you may encounter purpose in your work every day. Or maybe your sense of purpose comes from helping neighbors or raising a family. Whatever your passion, finding your purpose can come in many forms and can mean different things for different people. When you find that one thing that truly stirs your soul and gives your life a sense of direction, you’ll know you’re on the path to fulfillment.