What to Do When You Don’t Know Your Purpose (E38)

If you feel like your life has no meaning or purpose right now, this is for you. Here are 3 steps you can take when you don't know your purpose:

Step 1: Quit Thinking That the Thing You Want Will Make You Happy

One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing that purpose is something you find at the end of a journey. They think, "When I get that job, promotion, perfect partner, or money, then I'll be happy." This mindset keeps you in a constant state of seeking and never truly arriving.

Think about something you wanted and finally got. Did it make you happy forever? Probably not, or you wouldn’t be reading this. This endless chase leaves you feeling empty, frustrated, and unfulfilled.

First of all, your life does have meaning and purpose. Alan Watts tells us, “We thought of life by analogy with a journey, a pilgrimage, which had a serious purpose at the end... But we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing or to dance while the music was being played.”

Believing that life is a series of goals and achievements that will eventually lead to happiness or waiting for some external validation or milestone to finally feel fulfilled makes you miss the beauty of the present moment.

Understand that life isn’t a journey with a destination. The purpose is happening right now. You’re meant to enjoy the process, not just the outcome. Think of life like a dance. We don’t come on the dance floor, begin the dance, and announce, “When I’m finished, I’ll end up right there in that exact spot.” No. We dance for the fun of it. For the joy of it. That’s the point of the dance.

Step 2: Start Paying Attention to the Small Things That Bring You Joy

Waiting for big events or achievements to feel purposeful and ignoring the everyday moments that bring joy and fulfillment cause you to miss out on the beauty and meaning found in daily life. This can lead to a sense of purposelessness and dissatisfaction.

Start paying attention to the small things that bring you joy—whether it’s a walk in nature, a good book, or a conversation with a loved one. These moments are just as valuable, if not more so, than the big milestones.

Imagine a painter working on a masterpiece. Every brushstroke, no matter how small, contributes to the beauty of the final piece. Your life is the same—every small moment adds to the overall picture of your purpose.

Step 3: Focus on This Moment

Finally, practice gratitude and presence to fully embrace your purpose in the here and now. Constantly thinking about the past or worrying about the future keeps you trapped in a cycle of regret and anxiety, making it hard to see the purpose in your current experience.

Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s already there. Being present allows you to fully experience life as it is happening, finding purpose in every moment.

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