What Do You Want in Life?

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”  — Fyodor Dostoevsky

We have to be honest, we still don’t know what we want to be when we grow up. This can be something that causes anxiety or can be perceived as a constant opportunity. In some cultures, it can be hard when the perception is that your occupation defines you. We argue this is not the case. What defines you is what you want in life, and how you pursue it.

Goals are essential to success. Without goals, you can never hit a target because you are aiming for nothing. Obviously, job or relationship goals are good, but we are talking about something more. A higher purpose. People who have a higher purpose had better subsequent physical health outcomes, health behaviors, and psychosocial outcomes, as well as lower loneliness and a 43% reduced risk of depression¹. Luckily, the range of higher purpose is pretty broad, yet all pertain to helping others. Whether it be art, poetry, financial stability, volunteering, taking care of animals, etc., one commonality remains the same: studies point to the benefits of having goals focused on helping others rather than helping oneself². Goals that fulfill basic needs and are aligned with one’s values and passions have been related to greater subjective well-being³.

There is no single path to a higher purpose, which is a good thing because statistically most of us would not want to walk that path. Work to find what drives you. Feel free to experiment and explore. What inspires you to be your best self? Based on research, it is most likely linked to giving back to society. Once you find it, invest in yourself by investing in others.

Action: What is your higher purpose? How can you invest in it?

Further Reading:

1. Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach
2. Collegiate purpose orientations and well-being in early and middle adulthood
3. Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning in Life