As a coach, you hear the word purpose rather a lot.
The narrative is that purpose is what many people lack, and that discovering it can bring us meaning and fulfilment.
Purpose is important, but inadequate on its own. The idea that we have or don’t have a purpose is also too simplistic.
John Vervaeke outlines 4 aspects that together grant meaning. I think they’re interesting to explore:
Purpose is the first aspect. It means having goals beyond the present moment. It gives you direction by helping you organise your actions over time. But purpose alone is dangerous; indistinguishable from cult-mentality. It can become brittle and disconnected without the other aspects.