Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

I suggest that you create a purpose for your life, rather than finding it.

In my experience, finding purpose is not an easy process, but it is at least a simple one to start.

Personal values are the things you care about. Going through a list of core values[0] and rating them on a 1–5 scale should give clarify on what really matters to you, so you can cleave away the rest. (I’ve also found thinking about conflict in terms of values to be incredibly helpful; when someone is upset about something, and it’s not clear why, my experience has been that it’s because one of their values are being violated.)

Personal values shift somewhat over time (e.g. a financial windfall may make wealth feel less important; having fewer opportunities to meet people may make relationships feel more important), but you’re likely to find that you have a particularly strong affinity to a few key values that don’t really change over time. Using those as a compass, you can find the ‘right’ activities for you by asking whether or not they’re in line with your key values. By doing this, you’re able to live a life that feels more fulfilling.

Once you’ve done this, there will probably be various things that come up where you find yourself uncertain or still not quite like you know what your purpose is, but it is hopefully enough to get going on the right path. Books providing an overview of all the different philosophies and their evolution over time might be interesting too to pick one of those that feels most right for your life. Good luck!

[0] There are a nearly infinite number of these on the internet. I don’t know of any one in particular that’s especially good. https://www.qualitycharters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/H... is one option that came up for me that seems reasonable.

I find that there’s too much emphasis on “finding your bliss.” My ‘purpose’ is to negate other’s control over me. Wealth is independence, so my jobs are income (not status) generators. At the beginning of my career I consistently asked for higher pay & left if refused. Over time, the greater my wealth, the greater my ability to say “no,” and conversely the better employers have treated me. I’m offered promotions, stock options, etc without asking for them and I basically do what I want and get paid well for it. So my negative purpose, avoiding being controlled, has worked out for me.

Try a bunch of different things. See which ones resonate. Talk to lots of people, learn about new things to try. Adjust your direction and try some more. Repeat as needed (or until death).

"Making the world a better place, through minimal message oriented transport layers." -Hooli

What is important to you, what do you care about? Who depends on you for what? What skills, abilities, connections, positions, etc. do you have that can be useful in the world?

I think too often people want some grand overall narrative about making a big impact on the world, which, if you adopt it without really truly believing and caring about it, will be actually demotivating. For the most part, anyone can find purpose by doing a better job at what they are already doing in life. Be a better whatever you are. Go deeply into it, and put more energy into it.

  I also highly recommend these books:
  * Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
  * The Enchiridion by Epictetus
  * Meditations by Marcus Aurelius