The Power of Purpose
Do you ever wonder if you are doing what you are meant to do? Do you feel stuck and dissatisfied in what you are doing now? Do you feel as if you are going through the motions at work and at home? Are you missing a sense of purpose in your daily life? Do you engage in many activities because you are supposed to do those things, not because you enjoy them? Does Sunday afternoon start to bring on a case of the dreaded Monday workday blues? Are you looking for “more out of life”?
If you answered yes to two or more of any of the previous questions, you may be lacking a sense of purpose. If that is true, now may be a good time to assess your purpose in life.
A person’s heart is restless unless they have found and fulfilled meaning and purpose in life. (Frankl, 1988)
What is Purpose?
Stacey M. Schaefer, PhD, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Wisconsin in Madison's Center for Healthy Minds, says that purpose in life is finding meaning in, and having goals for, your life (Hirsch, 2022). Purpose provides a central organizing theme for your life. Purpose is a combination of what you value most and the way you pursue those values. Most importantly, a sense of purpose gives you meaning and motivation.
The most meaningful purpose is self-transcending, that is directed outward toward helping others or society. Self-transcending purpose provides more benefits than purely self-focused pleasure seeking. Some people find their sense of purpose in philanthropic endeavors by volunteering or donating to causes that resonate with them.
As people age, it is possible that their sense of purpose may shift and be refined from personal goals to family and then community-oriented goals (Minich, 2022). Do not be afraid to reevaluate your sense of purpose as you gain life experiences and clearer values.
Why is purpose important?
You can find dozens of studies which show that a sense of purpose is associated with better health outcomes including a reduced risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, slower aging and better sleep habits. A sense of purpose helps people deal with the challenging parts of life that confront us all. Those who have a long-term goal and focus appear better equipped to handle stressors and recover quickly when they do face adversity. We know that stress contributes to many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2021). For people over the age of 50, a sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality rates (Alimujiang, et al., 2019).
Developing a sense of purpose can prevent the onset of many stress related problems. If people do begin to see problems emerge, people who have a sense of purpose tend to be proactive about their physical and mental health (Minich, 2022). The sense of purpose can help people stay healthy into the later years of their life (LaBier, 2020). Probably the most significant outcome for people with a sense of purpose is greater life satisfaction and happiness.
How does someone develop a sense of purpose?
It will takes time and personal effort to discover or develop your sense of purpose. This process requires you to look inwardly, clarify your deepest values, and then select paths that allow you to live those values outwardly. Begin by reflecting on times in your life when you experienced a sense of fulfillment. Look to coaches, counselors or mentors who know you to have conversations about your strengths and talents, and experiment with things you can do to use those talents. Consider joining clubs or volunteering to see what gives you a sense of reward and fulfillment (Smith, 2018). Another way to develop a sense of purpose is to set daily goals to help others. The helping can be something as simple as opening a door for someone, smiling at people, or making a point to say hi to people you pass at work (Shaw, 2020).
Find Your Purpose
Do you need some help developing your sense of purpose? Do you need clarity on your sense of purpose? I am happy to help you explore your values, and the things that give you a sense of fulfillment to define your sense of purpose. Give me a call and we can get you started to a more purposeful life. If you want to know more about developing a sense of purpose, the list of books and articles below are an excellent place to dive in.
References
Alimujiang, A., Wiensch, A., Boss, J., Fleischer, N. L., Mondul, A. M., McLean, K., . . . Leigh Pearce, C. (2019, May 24). Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years. JAMA Netw Open. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270
American Psychological Association. (2023, February 2023). APA Dictonary. Retrieved from Purpose: https://dictionary.apa.org/purpose
Bilodeau, K. (2019, November 28). Will a purpose-driven life help you live longer? Retrieved Febraury 13, 2023, from Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/will-a-purpose-driven-life-help-you-live-longer-2019112818378
Elflein, J. (2022, November 17). College student health - Statistics & Facts. Retrieved Feb 14, 2023, from Statista.com: https://www.statista.com/topics/4553/college-student-health-in-the-us/#topicOverview
Frankl, V. E. (1988). The will to meaning. New York, NY.: Penguin.
Fraser-Thill, R. (2020, April 19). Want To Stay Healthy? Having Purpose Is An Ideal Starting Point. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccafraserthill/2020/04/18/need-purpose-pandemic/?sh=7bc20d792b5c
Hirsch, M. L. (2022, Aug 4). All About Purpose: What It Means and Why It’s So Good for You. Retrieved from Everyday health : https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/all-about-having-a-sense-of-purpose-what-it-means-and-why-its-so-good-for-you/#:~:text=Research%20supports%20that%20having%20a,to%20better%20handle%20stressors%2C%20too.
LaBier, D. (2020, January 31). A Hidden Link Between Your Life Purpose and Physical Health. Psychology Today. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-resilience/202001/hidden-link-between-your-life-purpose-and-physical-health
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, March 24). Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
Minich, D. (2022, March 1). Connections Between Life Purpose and Health. Retrieved from Dr Deanna Minich: https://deannaminich.com/connections-between-life-purpose-and-health/
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Opening up: the healing power of expressing emotions. New York: Guliford Press.
Pfund, G. N., Bono, T. J., & Hill, P. L. (2020). A higher goal during higher education: The power of purpose in life during university. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 6(2), 97-106. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from http://dxdoi.org/10.1037/tps0000231
Scott, D. (2021, October 24). 9 Tips for Finding Your Life Purpose. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from Entrepreneur.com: https://www.entrepreneur.com/living/9-tips-for-finding-your-life-purpose/387477
Shaw, G. (2020, March 31). Does Having a Sense of Purpose Improve Your Health? Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/sense-purpose-health
Smith, J. A. (2018, January 10). How to Find Your Purpose in Life. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from Greater Good Magazine: Science-Based Insights for a Meaningful Life: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_find_your_purpose_in_life
Wooll, M. (2021, October 19). Start finding your purpose and unlock your best life. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from BetterUp.com: https://www.betterup.com/blog/finding-purpose