What is life purpose?

What a question!? I mean its probably as big a questions as was asked many moons ago about the earth being round. Plus it can feel just as insurmountable to answer when you are asking it about yourself i.e.: “What is my life purpose?”.

Right now let’s stick to defining what life purpose means as a way to help you work on finding your own. The concept of life purpose can be defined as the reason for someone's existence or the overall goal or direction that gives meaning and direction to their life. It can be a deeply personal and individualized concept, influenced by one's values, beliefs, interests, and life experiences.

For some people, their life purpose may involve achieving a particular career or personal goal, making a positive impact on others or the world, following a spiritual or religious path, or finding inner peace and contentment. Others may see their purpose as being a parent or caregiver, pursuing creative endeavors, or contributing to their community.

Ultimately, a person's life purpose is something that they must determine for themselves through self-reflection, exploration, and experience. It can evolve and change over time as a person grows and develops, but having a sense of purpose can provide a sense of direction, motivation, and fulfillment in life.

There are several ways that an individuals life purpose can evolve:

🗝️ Self-Discovery: As people go through life, they gain new experiences, learn more about themselves, and discover new interests and passions. These discoveries can lead to a new understanding of their life purpose.

🗝️ Personal Growth: Personal growth and development can change a person's perspective on life and their values, which can alter their life purpose.

🗝️ Life Transitions: Major life events such as career changes, starting a family, or experiencing loss can cause a person to re-evaluate their life purpose and make changes accordingly.

🗝️ External Factors: Changes in the world, culture, and society can also impact a person's life purpose. For example, a person may develop a new sense of purpose in response to a global crisis or an important social issue.

Overall, life purpose is not a fixed concept, but rather a dynamic one that can change over time. By being open to new experiences, exploring personal interests, and being reflective, people can continue to evolve and refine their life purpose.

Life Purpose versus Soul Mission

Life purpose and soul mission are similar concepts that both refer to the reason for someone's existence and the overall goal or direction that gives meaning and direction to their life. However, there are some subtle differences between the two.

Life purpose is often associated with one's career or personal goals and is usually more focused on the tangible aspects of life. It can involve achieving a particular career or personal goal, making a positive impact on others or the world, following a spiritual or religious path, or finding inner peace and contentment.

On the other hand, soul mission is often associated with one's spiritual growth and evolution. It can involve understanding and fulfilling one's spiritual destiny, discovering and expressing one's true self, and serving a higher purpose or calling. Soul mission is often more abstract and intangible than life purpose.

In essence, life purpose tends to be more focused on the external world and the tangible aspects of life, while soul mission is more focused on the internal world and the intangible aspects of life. While there may be some overlap between the two, they are distinct concepts that can both contribute to a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Life Purpose Quotes

Here are some quotes  about life purpose from various authors, philosophers, and leaders that may deepen ones connection to defining their own:

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy." - Dalai Lama

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it." - Buddha

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." - Pablo Picasso

"The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better." - Robert F. Kennedy

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Byrne

"We are not given a purpose, we create it." - Unknown

"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away." - David Viscott.

Life Purpose Examples

As we have seen life purpose is a deeply personal and individualized concept that can vary greatly from person to person. Here are some examples of life purpose that people may pursue:

🗝️ Helping others: Many people find purpose in life by helping others, whether it is through volunteer work, a career in healthcare or social services, or simply being a kind and compassionate friend or family member.

🗝️ Creative expression: Some people find purpose in life through creative expression, such as writing, painting, music, or other artistic pursuits. Creating something that is beautiful and meaningful can give a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

🗝️ Personal growth and development: Some people see their life purpose as continual personal growth and self-improvement, through learning, exploring new ideas and experiences, and striving to be the best version of themselves.

🗝️ Making a positive impact on the world: Some people find purpose in life by making a positive impact on the world, whether it is through activism, philanthropy, or entrepreneurship that creates positive change.

🗝️ Spiritual or religious path: Some people find purpose in life by following a spiritual or religious path, seeking a deeper connection with a higher power or a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life.

🗝️ Career and professional success: For some people, their life purpose may involve achieving a particular career or professional goal, such as becoming an entrepreneur, a leader in their field, or making a difference through their work.

In my personal experience an individuals life's purpose can surface easily for some whilst others continue to question and search. For those that are on that journey I would advise getting to know yourself as well as you possibly can. Tools to do that could include a personal S.W.O.T Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), defining core values, building a personal brand, completing personality profiling, journaling, meditation, prayer or working with a coach or other practitioner.

The pressure to live your life on purpose should also not weigh heavily. There is no right or wrong when it comes to life purpose. You do you.