05 Nov 5 reflections to strengthen our sense of purpose in life.
Regular readers of this blog will know that as much as I like happiness, I also believe it’s not the only construct within Positive Psychology on which we should focus.
Happiness is great, and important, but so too are meaning and purpose, good quality relationships, physical health and wellbeing and more.
It’s the first of these I want to focus on today; and I’ll do so by sharing this Psychology Today article by Jessica Grossmeier
KEY POINTS
Having a strong sense of purpose is linked to higher levels of well-being, happiness, and resilience.
Our sense of purpose naturally changes over time, but can be strengthened.
Reflective practices that cultivate an evolving sense of purpose include considering your life roles and what you are most curious about.
If you’ve found yourself doing some soul-searching about what matters most in life and reflecting on what makes you feel most fulfilled, you are not alone.
A recent McKinsey & Company survey (2021) of more than 1,000 people found that a majority of people are rethinking their priorities, including the role of work in their lives and how they want to contribute to society. Many people look to work as a primary way to fulfill their sense of purpose because a job can provide opportunities to make progress toward and achieve meaningful goals. Others may focus on family roles, their contributions to their community, or living out their beliefs and values in daily life.
Though some people are defined by a specific calling that is sustained over the course of their lives, it’s more common to find purpose in many different areas, with the prioritization toward one or another shifting and changing over time. Research indicates that purpose changes over the course of our lives, and strengthening our sense of purpose is a skill that can be learned.
Purpose Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Reflections about our purpose in life can begin in adolescence when we begin to explore our individual identities, values, and interests. (Damon 2009) Significant times of adversity during formative developmental years can guide us toward a specific cause or area of service in our communities.
Most people develop a stronger sense of purpose in their early adult years as they launch careers or build a family. Our sense of purpose tends to be strongest in adulthood but can diminish during major times of transition, especially in middle age. A 2021 study found that purpose diminished in midlife for some study participants, but that those who maintained a strong sense of purpose through midlife emerged with better health.
Purpose is not a destination we arrive at once but rather a practice. It is an ongoing endeavor to make sense of the world and to articulate our contribution to it as our life unfolds.
The Importance of Purpose
While our sense of purpose may wax and wane over the course of our lives, it can be cultivated and doing so is a worthwhile practice. (Damon 2009) Research links purpose with happiness, mental health, and resilience. Those of us with a higher sense of purpose take better care of ourselves, function better, experience fewer chronic conditions, have better mental health, and live longer. (Strecher, 2016) We are also more likely to find our work lives more meaningful when we bring our sense of purpose into our daily tasks…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE