Why Is It Important To Have A Sense Of Purpose In Life?

Do you ever feel like working at a 9-5 job is making you unhappy? Perhaps it's because you don't feel like what you do has a purpose.
wellness · 5 min
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Why do you get up in the morning? Do you have a goal, or are you just going through the same old routine? 

For far too many people, there isn’t any kind of force driving them through their day. Life often turns into a cycle of waking up, going to work, coming home, and then going to sleep. Is that really all there is to life? Surely there has to be a way to break this cycle, right? Thankfully, there is.

Even if we follow a routine, there is a way to make sure that life doesn’t become a pointless cycle. Simply put, we need to have a sense of purpose. Even without a sense of purpose, life is still meaningful, but it often might not feel that way.

Arnold Schwarzenegger sums up the importance of purpose in life perfectly through the example he set in his lifetime. He decided that he would one day become Mr. Universe, and he strived towards this goal every single day. He regularly spent five hours a day working out, but this didn’t bother him. In fact, he actually said that he would often be smiling throughout these arduous workouts. You might ask why, but the answer is simple: his goal gave him a sense of purpose.

Even when nothing else in life seems to be working out, having a sense of purpose helps to keep us grounded. It helps us to push through stress, and it even gives us the determination to work harder every day. If you ask most people what their purpose in life is, they won’t know what to say. At that point, what separates us, humans, from machines? Whatever work we do will always seem meaningless if there isn’t a purpose behind it. 

Now, many people disagree with me about how life without purpose can seem meaningless but give me a chance to explain myself. If the only reason we live is to go to work so that we can pay bills, that often leaves us feeling empty. Unless you are absolutely in love with your job, spending eight hours a day working can start to feel agonizing. One of my friends told me that he works really hard five days a week so that he can do hobbies that he loves on the weekends. That fascinated me because I didn’t entirely understand the logic.

Why would anyone work five days a week so that they can enjoy just two days of the week? The thing is, most people don’t have many hobbies that they are really passionate about. Instead of working to have more time to follow a passion, most people only work in order to survive. This leads to a cycle that often doesn’t bring any genuine satisfaction in life: work, eat, sleep, repeat.

I am not saying that work is the source of all misery, in fact, I would strongly disagree with that. People who managed to earn enough to stop working forever often start to become miserable over time. Not having to work sounds great, but there is only so much we could do before we eventually start to feel empty… Rather than saying work causes us to feel miserable, I am trying to suggest that it is working without a purpose that makes us feel miserable. Regardless of what we do, if we can find a purpose in our labor, it does not seem meaningless anymore. Just knowing that we are doing something that is important to either ourselves or others can give us a special feeling of pride in our work.

So how do we find purpose in life?

Well, it’s actually a lot simpler than it may seem. All we need to do in order to establish a sense of purpose is to find some kind of value in what we do. For example, a lot of people find value in their families. The feelings of unity and togetherness that family can bring holds a lot of value. This can give someone a sense of purpose and belonging, but what we find value in does not have to be this profound.

We can learn to find value in even the smaller tasks that we do. Without switching careers, we can learn to appreciate our jobs more if we start actively searching for what makes our work matter. People who find value in what they do are often far happier than those who do not. Oddly enough, we get to determine what is valuable to us.

I will never forget the day that I met a certain man. I don’t remember his name, but I cannot forget how proud he was of his career. He had retired a few years ago, but he was telling me about his life with such passion. He seemed so much happier than almost anyone that I have ever met. What was his career? Well, he was a bus driver. He understood that what he used to do for a living had value, and this gave him a strong sense of purpose. He helped many people commute to work or to visit loved ones. Whether people realized it or not, he helped them a lot by providing them transportation. 

Every single job provides some kind of value, all we have to do is examine how our job helps people. It doesn’t have to be a life-changing impact, even a small impact makes a huge difference in the greater scheme of things. Societies run because of all of the work that individuals do. In realizing this, we can often feel a sense of purpose, and then work doesn’t seem so meaningless anymore.

I strongly urge anyone who reads this to start looking for the value in everything you do. As you start to see how important your actions are, you will undoubtedly feel more satisfied. Find value in not just your career, but in your friendships and relationships. I even urge you to start finding value in the chores that you have to do around the house. Watch and see how your life will start to change… After all, a sense of purpose helps us see how meaningful our life really is.

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Colbert_Coverage commented Colbert_Coverage 3 years ago

The simple truth is that purpose gives life direction and meaning.

5
SelfLoveWorkout commented SelfLoveWorkout 3 years ago

This perfectly explains why I felt so lost in my previous career.

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Ryan_Report commented Ryan_Report 3 years ago

Finding meaning in small tasks has made such a difference in my life.

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Ellie_Hopeful commented Ellie_Hopeful 3 years ago

Purpose really is the key to breaking out of life's mundane cycles.

8
Skylar_Giggles commented Skylar_Giggles 3 years ago

The connection between purpose and personal satisfaction is so true.

2
MindfulMeditation commented MindfulMeditation 3 years ago

This article helped me understand why I've been feeling so unfulfilled.

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RadiateHappiness commented RadiateHappiness 3 years ago

Never realized how much purpose affects our daily happiness until now.

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Elaine_ShootingStar commented Elaine_ShootingStar 3 years ago

Life really does feel different when you have a sense of purpose.

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ThrivingLifestyle commented ThrivingLifestyle 3 years ago

Reading about that bus driver changed how I view my own job.

5
OutdoorExplorer commented OutdoorExplorer 3 years ago

It's true, without purpose we're just going through the motions.

6
JocelynX commented JocelynX 3 years ago

Finding purpose in my work transformed my Monday mornings completely.

5
Kaitlin-Owen commented Kaitlin-Owen 3 years ago

Been struggling with this lately. Thank you for putting it into perspective.

0
DreamHackX commented DreamHackX 4 years ago

Sometimes our purpose isn't what we expected it to be, and that's beautiful.

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JohnnyS commented JohnnyS 4 years ago

This reminds me to appreciate the impact I have, even when it feels small.

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NoraH commented NoraH 4 years ago

The concept of finding purpose in everything seems daunting but worth trying.

7
JonahL commented JonahL 4 years ago

I wish schools focused more on helping students find their purpose early on.

6
CharlotteBrown commented CharlotteBrown 4 years ago

Purpose isn't always about changing the world, sometimes it's just about making someone smile.

5
Callie-Stone commented Callie-Stone 4 years ago

Finding value in small tasks has actually made my daily routine more enjoyable.

1
Lacy-Delgado commented Lacy-Delgado 4 years ago

This article made me question if I'm truly living or just existing.

2
Lillian_Glow commented Lillian_Glow 4 years ago

Never thought about how purpose affects our daily motivation until now.

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Brooklyn_Breeze commented Brooklyn_Breeze 4 years ago

Purpose can change over time. What matters is staying open to new possibilities.

8
AlexanderJackson commented AlexanderJackson 4 years ago

I love how this challenges the notion that work is just about survival.

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SilentNomad commented SilentNomad 4 years ago

The part about family giving purpose resonates with me deeply.

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JennaS commented JennaS 4 years ago

Finding purpose helped me overcome my depression. It really does make a difference.

0
Adalian_Article commented Adalian_Article 4 years ago

Really needed this reminder that every job has value in the bigger picture.

2
DigitalExplorer commented DigitalExplorer 4 years ago

Purpose doesn't have to be something huge. Small daily impacts matter too.

6
DataPhantomX commented DataPhantomX 4 years ago

This article assumes everyone has the luxury of choosing their path. Not always true.

4
Ava-Grace commented Ava-Grace 4 years ago

I've found more purpose in my hobbies than my job, and that's okay too.

2
MysticVortex commented MysticVortex 4 years ago

The idea that we get to determine what's valuable to us is empowering.

2
Jasmine_Dance commented Jasmine_Dance 4 years ago

Sometimes purpose finds you when you least expect it. That's what happened to me.

2
Fleming_Feature commented Fleming_Feature 4 years ago

I appreciate how this article doesn't define purpose as just career success.

3
Serene_Sanctuary_X commented Serene_Sanctuary_X 4 years ago

My purpose shifted completely after having kids. It's amazing how life changes our perspective.

8
Paula-Duncan commented Paula-Duncan 4 years ago

We should teach this in schools. Kids need to learn about purpose early on.

3
Masters_Memo commented Masters_Memo 4 years ago

Finding purpose in chores seems like a stretch, but I'll give it a try.

3
Uplift-And_Inspire_2024 commented Uplift-And_Inspire_2024 4 years ago

The connection between purpose and motivation is so true. When I have purpose, I work harder.

7
Ellie commented Ellie 4 years ago

Working without purpose is exactly why I left my high-paying corporate job. Money isn't everything.

8
Kayla_Sullivan commented Kayla_Sullivan 4 years ago

This article helped me realize I've been looking for purpose in all the wrong places.

5
Cronkite_Chronicles commented Cronkite_Chronicles 4 years ago

Not sure I agree that work without purpose makes us miserable. Some jobs are just jobs.

7
Tiffany-Taylor commented Tiffany-Taylor 4 years ago

I started finding purpose in my morning coffee routine. Small things add up to a meaningful life.

0
VictoriaScott commented VictoriaScott 4 years ago

The bit about societies running on individual contributions really puts things in perspective.

4
MikaylaLuxe commented MikaylaLuxe 4 years ago

What about when your purpose changes? Mine has shifted several times throughout life.

1
Lang_Ledger commented Lang_Ledger 4 years ago

This reminds me to appreciate my job more. I help people every day, even if in small ways.

4
Flora_Magic commented Flora_Magic 4 years ago

Love the practical approach this takes. You don't need to save the world to have purpose.

6
Masters_Memo commented Masters_Memo 4 years ago

Sometimes I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to find some grand purpose.

0
Lillian commented Lillian 4 years ago

Interesting how the article connects purpose with happiness. They really do go hand in hand.

2
MotivationDaily commented MotivationDaily 4 years ago

Reading this made me realize I've been too focused on the destination instead of the journey.

0
Vitality_Queen_42 commented Vitality_Queen_42 4 years ago

I find purpose in raising my kids, but I worry about what happens when they're grown and gone.

2
BlytheS commented BlytheS 4 years ago

The weekend warrior mentality is so real. I need to stop living for just Saturday and Sunday.

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Danielle_Shine commented Danielle_Shine 4 years ago

My therapist and I were just discussing this. Purpose gives us resilience during tough times.

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Declutter_And-Thrive commented Declutter_And-Thrive 4 years ago

Changed careers three times searching for purpose. Sometimes it's not about changing what you do, but how you view it.

3
Shields_Summary commented Shields_Summary 4 years ago

I like how the article doesn't push finding a grand purpose, but suggests starting with small daily tasks.

8
SuccessStartsWithin commented SuccessStartsWithin 4 years ago

Anyone else feel overwhelmed by the pressure to find their life's purpose?

1
LiamLewis commented LiamLewis 4 years ago

The comparison to machines really struck me. Without purpose, we're just going through motions.

4
LenaJ commented LenaJ 4 years ago

This idea of finding value in everything we do seems exhausting. Can't some things just be neutral?

4
Faith_Hope commented Faith_Hope 4 years ago

I wonder if our ancestors worried about purpose as much as we do, or if they were too busy surviving.

6
CoraBelle commented CoraBelle 4 years ago

The article should address how mental health affects our ability to find and maintain a sense of purpose.

6
IsaacMurphy commented IsaacMurphy 4 years ago

This made me realize I've been chasing the wrong things. Money isn't everything if you're miserable.

4
SelfCare_Sanctuary_42 commented SelfCare_Sanctuary_42 4 years ago

Being passionate about your job is great, but let's not forget about work-life balance too.

0
Jenna_Hope commented Jenna_Hope 4 years ago

Never thought about how providing transportation could be so meaningful until I read about that bus driver.

1
LoganBaker commented LoganBaker 4 years ago

The part about actively searching for what makes our work matter is crucial. We can't wait for meaning to find us.

5
StormBreaker commented StormBreaker 4 years ago

What about when your purpose conflicts with making a living? That's the real struggle many face.

6
Katherine commented Katherine 4 years ago

My grandmother always said purpose is what you make it. Now I finally understand what she meant.

5
DanaJ commented DanaJ 4 years ago

I love how it mentions that every job provides value. Makes me feel better about my seemingly ordinary career.

3
ChloeEvans commented ChloeEvans 4 years ago

The article oversimplifies things. Finding purpose isn't as easy as just deciding to see value in what we do.

1
TateCodes commented TateCodes 4 years ago

This really challenges the idea that we should all hate Mondays. Maybe we just haven't found our purpose yet.

0
Nina_Soft commented Nina_Soft 4 years ago

Anyone else find it ironic that we need articles to tell us to find purpose in life? Shouldn't it come naturally?

7
Ava-Davis commented Ava-Davis 4 years ago

The cycle of work-eat-sleep-repeat isn't the problem. It's our mindset about it that needs to change.

5
Alice commented Alice 4 years ago

I started looking for purpose in my retail job and realized how many people I help daily. It's changed everything.

3
Rosen_Review commented Rosen_Review 4 years ago

Finding purpose in family is great, but what about those of us who are single? We need other sources of meaning too.

1
Eliana_Rain commented Eliana_Rain 4 years ago

The article makes a good point about retired people becoming miserable without work. We need something to strive for.

4
JaxonGarcia commented JaxonGarcia 4 years ago

I've noticed that my most fulfilled friends aren't necessarily in prestigious jobs, but they all find meaning in what they do.

6
BodyAndSoulFit commented BodyAndSoulFit 4 years ago

Maybe we're overthinking this. Sometimes just being kind to others and enjoying simple pleasures is purpose enough.

6
BellaWard commented BellaWard 4 years ago

This reminds me of Viktor Frankl's work on finding meaning in life. Even in the worst conditions, purpose keeps us going.

8
DreamManifestX commented DreamManifestX 4 years ago

But what happens when you lose your sense of purpose? I had one but after achieving it, I feel empty again.

2
Gloria_Twilight commented Gloria_Twilight 4 years ago

The idea that society runs because of everyone's contributions really stuck with me. Makes me feel more connected to the bigger picture.

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Lisa-Marie commented Lisa-Marie 4 years ago

I actually find this perspective a bit privileged. Some people are just trying to survive, purpose is a luxury.

8
AddisonFoster commented AddisonFoster 4 years ago

Purpose doesn't always have to be career-related though. My biggest sense of purpose comes from volunteering on weekends.

8
Layla_Sunshine commented Layla_Sunshine 4 years ago

It's interesting how the article suggests finding value in small tasks. I never thought about finding purpose in household chores.

2
WillaS commented WillaS 4 years ago

The part about working 5 days to enjoy 2 really made me think. I'm definitely guilty of living for the weekends.

4
Gabriella_Journey commented Gabriella_Journey 4 years ago

What about people who genuinely can't find purpose in their work? Not everyone has the luxury of choosing a meaningful career.

3
VitalityQueen commented VitalityQueen 4 years ago

I needed to read this today. Been feeling lost at my job lately, but now I'm going to look for the value I bring to others.

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Kroll_Keynotes commented Kroll_Keynotes 4 years ago

The bus driver story brought tears to my eyes. It's amazing how finding meaning in what we do can completely change our perspective.

4
CheerfulSpirit commented CheerfulSpirit 4 years ago

I disagree that everyone needs some grand purpose. Sometimes just being present and taking care of your loved ones is enough.

5
Alexander-Thomas commented Alexander-Thomas 4 years ago

The Arnold Schwarzenegger example is so powerful. When you have a clear goal, even the toughest tasks become enjoyable.

1
Victoria_Star commented Victoria_Star 4 years ago

This article really hits home. I've been feeling stuck in that work-sleep cycle lately and it's making me question everything.

3

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