Seven Ways to Find Your Purpose in Life

Meaningful and long-term goals are good for your health and happiness. Here we will talk about some methods to reach them.

Many people I know seemed to have a pretty deep sense of purpose. Whether they are working for justice against racism, teaching children to read, or trying to donate masks and protective products to hospitals during the pandemic; each using their passion, talent, or compassion for the world in their lives, making their lives meaningful. Research shows that having a purpose is closely linked to better health values, longevity, and even economic success. It feels good to have a purpose, knowing that you can help others by using your talents.

So if you can't realize it easily, what ways can you follow to find your purpose in life? Is finding your purpose something that comes naturally throughout your life? Or are there any other ways you can motivate yourself to find your purpose in life?

According to Kendall Bronk, a researcher on the moral development of adolescents, both are valid. While people can develop their goals in life organically, they can also reach their goals through self-reflection exercises they do deliberately. Sometimes, just talking to someone about what's important to you can make you think about your life and purpose, says Bronk.

In his work with adolescents, Bronk found that some young people find their purpose after going through some difficulties in life. For example, a child facing racism may set a goal of progressing towards becoming a human rights defender in the future. Or a person suffering from a serious illness may decide to study medicine in the future. It should also be noted that experiences such as poverty and illness are situations that are very difficult to overcome without help from others. But Bronk's research shows that having a supportive social environment helps young people reframe challenges as an opportunity to grow for the better. The same can be true for adults.

The combination of education, experience, and self-reflection can help people, with the addition of being supported by others, Bronk says. But with the right tools, you can quickly start finding your purpose. Bronk and his colleagues found exercises that help us work through positive emotions such as gratitude and guide us to find our purpose, while aiming to uncover what our values, interests, and abilities are. Here are some of Bronk's recommendations based on research on purpose.

1. Identify the things you care about

The goal is simply to use your skills for the greater good in the direction that matters to you. That's why identifying what you care about is an important first step along the way.

In the “Purpose Challenge for the Good of the Majority,” designed by Bronk and his team, high school seniors were asked to think about the world around them and imagine what they would want to change and why if they had a miracle. After that, they could use this dream to take more concrete steps to bring the world to the ideal position they dreamed of.

A similar process is suggested for adults by Jim Emerman, who works at an organization that helps seniors find new purpose in their lives. Rather than envision an ideal world in the future, he suggests asking ourselves three questions:

1. What are you good at?

2. What have you done that helped you acquire a skill that you can use for a purpose?

3. What do you value in the society you live in?

Reflecting on these questions, older adults can brainstorm new ideas for repurposing their skills and developing interests to help the world.

2. Reflect on what is most important to you

When your circle and interests are so wide, it can sometimes be difficult to decide what is most important to you. Understanding what you value most can help you reduce your purpose in life to things that both appeal to you and are more achievable.

There are some nice value surveys recommended by PosivitePsychology.com such as the "Valued Living Questionnaire", the "Portrait Values ​​Questionnaire" and the "Personal Values ​​Questionnaire". Each consists of surveys used in research and questions that can benefit those who want to make a change while feeling overwhelmed.

According to Bronk's findings, prioritizing people's values ​​helps in finding purpose. The studies that Bronk and his team designed show that the questionnaire they used (where students were asked about some common values ​​and ranked from most important to least important) was helpful in helping people clarify their goals.

3. Recognize your strengths and abilities

We all have strengths and abilities that we have developed throughout our lives that form our own personalities. However, some of us may not be certain about what it can do.

If we need help with this, surveys such as the “VIA Character Strenghts Survey” can help us identify and embrace our personal strengths. You can then look at the results and think about applying them to what you truly care about in your life.

In addition, it can be helpful to ask others. You can consult your teachers, friends, family or colleagues. In Bronk et al.'s study, students were asked to email the following questions to five people who knew them well:

1. What do you think I am particularly good at?

2. What do you think I really enjoy?

3. What kind of a mark do you think I can leave in the world?

Likewise, if adults feel the need for feedback, they can apply it. People who know you well can see things about yourself that you didn't realize. This can take you in directions you can't imagine. Apart from this, feedback should not be overvalued if it does not provide any benefit. Getting information or advice from others is helpful if it helps you clarify your strengths.

4. Try doing volunteer work

Finding a purpose in life involves more than self-reflection. According to Bronk, achieving purpose also involves trying new things and looking at how they can work for you to make a meaningful difference in life. Volunteering in a community organization focused on something you care about can provide you with experience and an opportunity to do good at the same time.

Working in an organization that works for the benefit of others also allows you to connect with people who have passion and can inspire you. In fact, with the support of others, it is easier to reach your life purpose and maintain it. In addition, a network of volunteer philanthropists provides you with new opportunities and the opportunity to mingle with a community that cares about your concerns. Volunteering can also contribute to longevity as well as being more beneficial for health.

But not all volunteer work results in strong feelings about life purpose. Anne Colby, a researcher at Stanford University, warns and says; “Volunteering can sometimes lead to deafening”. “The work done has to have something attractive and appealing. You have to feel like you have accomplished something.” When you find what works best for you, volunteering feels “right” in a way. It shouldn't be overwhelming, but it should be refreshing.

5. Imagine yourself in the best possible way

In the study by Bronk and his team, high school students were asked to imagine themselves at age 40 when everything went well.

• What are you doing?

• What is important to you?

• What do you really care about? Why is that?

The “why” part here is particularly important because goals often come from the reasons behind caring, says Bronk.

Of course, those of us older may also find these questions valuable to them. But, according to Bonk, older adults may want to reflect more backwards than looking forward. He says that we always think about the things we want to do in life, but maybe because of some obligations, we can't. For example, sometimes it is necessary to choose between raising children or having a career. There is a situation where with what you really want for yourself, the world can help you achieve it. Perhaps focusing your attention on people and your experiences can help you get there.

6. Nurture positive emotions like gratitude

To find purpose, encouraging positive emotions like gratitude helps. Because each of these feelings is closely related to well-being, caring for others and finding meaning in life. These emotions also help us focus on how we can contribute to the world.

In her work with young adults, Bronk found that gratitude was particularly helpful in leading students to purpose. Reflecting on the things they are grateful for in their lives motivates people to do the same favors they see to others. In this way, the feeling of gratitude is directed towards the goal.

7. Look at the people you admire

Sometimes the people we admire most in life give us tips on how we can contribute to a better world. Reading about the work of human rights leaders or climate activists can have a morally uplifting effect and give us the motivation we need to work for the greater good.

However, Bronk emphasizes that sometimes these surreal examples can be very intimidating for us. Then you can look to people who seem more mundane to you doing smaller-scale favors. Maybe you have a friend who delivers food to the homeless or a coworker who works for justice. Things like this can inspire you.

You don't need to be famous to find your purpose in life and achieve it. You just need to look at your inner compass and take small steps towards what is most meaningful to you.