Why Finding Your Purpose Matters

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in life are the day you are born and the day you discover the reason why.” 

That’s not intimidating at all…

But there is a lot of truth here. Purpose, calling, life mission–whatever you choose to call it isn’t just a cliche thing. 

Having a sense of purpose has a massive positive impact on your health, the way you live your life day to day, and how you influence the people around you. We’re going to dive into the reasons why purpose is so important, but let’s kick things off by looking at what purpose is. 

What Is Purpose?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines purpose as “why you do something or why something exists.” 

It’s the reason you wake up every morning. Your driving force. Your why. Some might say it’s a north star that combines your values, interests, and talents. 

Don’t stress if you feel like this is something you haven’t figured out. It’s certainly a process and takes some time and soul-searching. If you’re ready to embark on this process, check out our guide on how to figure out what you’re uniquely qualified to do. 

Why So Much Buzz?

Although purpose isn’t a new concept, conversations around it have sprung up in the past few decades, especially on the organizational level. More and more, companies are aiming to be mission-oriented and communicate their values. In fact, 65% of people say this information about a brand will influence whether or not they support it. 

So why is there so much talk about purpose? This was partly kicked off by Simon Sinek when he gave his 2009 TedTalk titled “Start With Why.” In his talk, which has since reached nearly 70 million viewers, he makes a central point that those who have a clear purpose, or why, will be more effective, stand out, and attract others to what they’re doing. This is true both in your personal life and in business.

So Why Is Finding Your Purpose So Important?

Alright alright, let’s get to the why. These are some of the reasons why finding your purpose matters:

1. It Establishes a Foundation for Decision-Making

Having a sense of purpose gives you clarity and certainty in your decisions. We make 35,000 decisions per day (and that number is probably higher for business owners). Having a clear sense of what you’d like to achieve serves as your compass when faced with big and small decisions to make sure you’re staying the course.

2. It Improves Your Health 

Studies show that those who live their life with a sense of purpose tend to be healthier both physically and mentally, experiencing: lower stress levels, reduced anxiety and depression, better sleep, stronger immune systems, and increased cognitive function. One study even found that those who have a sense of purpose are likely to live longer!

3. It Sets Off a Domino Effect of Positivity

In addition to health benefits, those living a purpose-driven life are likely to be more hopeful and happy. There’s a really cool domino effect that happens here where finding your purpose makes you more optimistic about the future and then these feelings of optimism put you in a mindset of gratitude for what you have in the present moment. All of these positive feelings reinforce each other, creating a loop of positivity and personal growth. 

4. It Invests You in a Greater Cause 

Everybody wants to feel like they’re doing something that matters. Having a known purpose is a great way to identify where you can lead or serve others to make a difference. The cool thing about this is that the how will vary from person to person but we all share the same why—making an impact. This connection to a greater good not only enriches our lives but also fosters a sense of belonging and community. Tapping into your purpose is likely to put you in a place where you’ll connect with like-minded individuals who share interests and goals that are similar to yours.

5. It Helps You Persevere When Things Get Tough

Yes, a sense of purpose can bring a spark to your life but don’t forget the flip side of grit and perseverance. We all face challenges from time to time and having an overarching vision helps you keep moving forward with strength and resilience. It may be tempting to throw in the towel but a sense of purpose can enable you to stay afloat.

Your purpose matters! We hope this inspires you to keep going, wherever you are in your journey.