For some of us, we feel like we are eternally searching for purpose.
Envious of those that have always known what they were meant to do with their lives. Equally envious of those that seem to just get on with life with an air of contentment.
I've been thinking a lot about purpose recently, what it is, where we find it and why we all differ so much in whether we have, want or need it.
What is purpose?
Purpose is defined as having coherent beliefs about the overall intention and meaning of life; knowing where you fit in with the larger scheme; having beliefs about life that guide your behaviour and provide comfort.
In working on values, myself and with clients, I am intrigued by both their uniqueness and consistency. The most consistently present value is purpose and it is also the value that has the broadest definition, entirely unique to each and every person.
This means that the quest for purpose is an entirely individual journey.
Where do we find purpose?
This question feels almost perpetually on my mind. For me personally, I have always felt like I am in search of purpose. This doesn't mean that I haven't found it periodically in roles, goals and projects but it has always felt somewhat fleeting.
We don't only differ in the domain in which we find purpose, we also differ in the way in which we find it in our lives. There are those of us find purpose in the calm of the every day, others in the challenge of a project and some that find it in a vocation or life mission.
Purpose is also a perspective. Like with everything it is often easier for us to see the purpose in the lives of those around us than to connect with our own. We know too much about ourselves, our thoughts and feelings which can often make us feel more directionless than we appear to those around us.
A journey, a destination or an unreachable target?
The three different states of purpose are fluid and we find ourselves moving between them in different periods of our life. For example, life events can change the way we connect with our purpose - as a new graduate striving to succeed at work and taking each and every opportunity that came my way, I found my purpose in 'flow'. As a new mother I found my connection with the 'here and now' purpose as I focused on the day to day joys (and trials) of watching my children grow. Now, I am searching... floating somewhere between the boxes.
I think personality plays a part here too, some of us are more disposed by nature to be present in the moment, be content and make the most of the day to day. Others constantly find ourselves questioning the present and looking forward to the next thing.
Therefore, for some of us, finding purpose, is an enjoyable journey. For others it is a destination in which they find their life mission. And for many of us, myself included, it can feel like an unreachable target and that's what makes it all the more fun to strive towards.
Perhaps in future, with hindsight, we will all identify our purpose.
Would be curious to know what you think?
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