The Power of Purpose: Finding Meaning in Life and Work

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”

– Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Have you sometimes woke up in the morning thinking this way: “Why am I even alive?” At least for a few of us it might have occurred that each of us live on something that drives us. It is something that fuels our need to be alive. PURPOSE. Cambridge dictionary defines purpose as “why you do something” or “why something exists”. Questions about life purpose may arrive at any time in life, but we can notice that they are especially prevalent during the times of transition or crisis. Talking in a student context one might face the challenge when they have to choose s course. For example to choose an education path after SSLC or a course to choose in degree. Young people end up resigning jobs because they find no essence in the work they do.

To Bridge the Gap:

Purpose or meaning of life is different for different people. The beauty lies where it manifests in unique ways to each individuals. For some their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family and friends. We also find people find meaning through spirituality, social service or through their vocation. To clear the confusion of how vocation is different from job let us take an example: someone who loves music and is naturally inclined to singing but earns income as a charted accountant is in a job; but if the same person lives and can also earn through what they really love, here as a singer, then that can be considered vocation. It gives them satisfaction and meaning.

When we were in college our teacher asked this question: “ Why do you need education or a degree?” Most of us gave the typical answer, “Because we need a job”. And I do not think it is a bad answer to have. The world we live in poses job as the main way to earn. It might be in the fields of business, science or art; as an entrepreneur, farmer, artist or a scientist. That is where this quote by Abraham Maslow strikes me: “Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to ultimately be at peace with themselves. What human beings can be; they must be.”

What Happens When We Work Where Our Purpose is Fulfilled?

1.Healthy Body:

Healthier hearts, increased life expectancy, and improved psychological resilience are the benefits of having a strong sense of purpose. The article ‘The Importance of Living a Purpose driven Life’ states that “Work can be a great source of meaning, which may explain why retiring early is associated with reduced longevity and a higher risk of dementia. This evidence also shows why we need a sense of purpose that transcends work, so we don’t decompensate when our jobs shift, when we take leave, or when we retire.

2. Economic Gain:

When individuals work in a place, institution or organisation which reflects their purpose of life, they accomplish a task not because their employer wants them to. Neither will it be for material gains or because of unavoidable situations. But for them it will be a source of happiness and fulfillment. This feeling is directly proportional to the productivity of each individual in their own careers. Innovations stem from healthy mental and work environments where work and efforts are in full swing. A sense of meaning in one’s work also benefits organizations as employees with a strong sense of purpose work harder and stay longer.

3. Mind at Peace:

One of my favourite movies of Thalapathy Vijay is ‘Nanban’. It is a beautiful picturisation of what brings happiness to human minds. Money or possession of material wealth is definitely no the answer, but satisfaction with one’s own life is. However, we see that most of the students are forced to join courses which are expected to give high paid jobs and thus social status. It is time for us to realize why we encounter lack of enthusiasm and skill gap.One needs to make sure that they engage in a work in which they are interested in. That one work which makes you wake up I the morning saying “I am grateful for my life because I get to do what I love to do”.