“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”
Mark Twain
Humans aren't wired to drift. We want to feel that our time means something, but, now that we don’t need to hunt and gather, it’s surprisingly hard to work out what that “something” is.
Modern life gives us endless options, and everywhere we look people are doing remarkable things. Which is wonderful and inspiring, but the possibilities & comparison blur the inner signals that tell us what we really want.
And we often default to taking the safe path or do what's expected of us, instead of what actually matters to us.
Purpose brings the focus back to that place inside you that recognises what energises you and feels true. It’s not about big goals, long-term plans or the perfect career path, but about aligning what you care about with how you spend your time. Even small moments of meaning can anchor you and bring deeper fulfilment.
Psychology spotlight - Self-concordant goals
These are the goals that genuinely match who you are, not the ones you think you should want. When you chase ‘false’ goals, life feels uphill. When your goals are true to you, energy and motivation flow naturally.
Did you know?
Psychologists say we’re living through a meaning crisis whereby we’re rich in information but lacking a sense of ‘why’. Purpose gives life a centre of gravity again - something steady beneath the noise to orient around.
Inside the body
Most people don't realise purpose has a biological impact. When what you do matches what you value, your nervous system calms and your brain rewards you with a natural energy lift.
Purpose at work
When work isn’t meaningful or aligned with what matters to you, your brain slips into a low-energy state called amotivation. But when purpose is clear, motivation clicks back into place and becomes effortless again.
