Discovering Purpose: The Key to Fulfillment

"Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life." – Rick Warren

Despite our deep desire for purpose, we often spend time on things that don’t bring us closer to it. Research shows that having a clear sense of purpose enhances our physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships. It even helps us navigate challenges with resilience.

A 2009 Japanese study found that those with a strong sense of purpose lived longer, while another study revealed that purpose-driven individuals spent more meaningful time with their families, coworkers, and communities. Purpose is more than a feel-good concept—it’s essential to our well-being.

As a former professional basketball player, I’ve witnessed firsthand how achievement alone doesn’t bring lasting fulfillment. I’ve seen elite athletes reach the pinnacle of success, only to feel lost once the final buzzer sounds. The same happens in leadership—when the focus is solely on performance, promotions, or bottom-line results, leaders often find themselves wondering, What now?

This is where Inside Out Leadership comes in. Leading from within means discovering your purpose first, then allowing it to shape your work, relationships, and decisions. Purpose should drive goals, not the other way around. When leaders operate from a deep sense of purpose, they create environments where people feel valued, engaged, and motivated.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing these ideas with leaders across industries, from corporate executives to entrepreneurs to professional athletes. One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that purpose is not tied to a title or role—it’s who you are at your core.

In my travels, particularly in the Middle East, I’ve been struck by a simple yet profound cultural difference. Instead of asking, “What do you do?” people often ask, “Who are you?” This question gets to the heart of purpose. In Western culture, we’re so conditioned to define ourselves by our careers that we rarely stop to ask: Who am I beyond what I do?

Reflection Question: If you had no job title, role, or external validation—how would you define your purpose?

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I'm interested in Robb's Keynote Speaking!

Robb's passionate and practical keynote talks lead the way from burnout and emptiness to fulfillment and success, exploring how an individual’s innate purpose is worth so much more than the money they earn or the business results they achieve. To book Robb, click here.

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About Robb Holman

Robb Holman is a sought-after Global Keynote Speaker and Author of four transformational leadership books, Lead the Way, All In, Move the Needle, and his upcoming book, Lessons from Abdul. In recognition of his expertise, Robb was named one of the world's top 30 leadership speakers by Global Gurus for four consecutive years (2022-present). His innovative Inside Out Leadership philosophy has gained significant recognition and has been featured in publications like Inc, Forbes, and Fast Company. You can visit Robb by going here.