How to Find Your Life Purpose

Purpose vs. goals (and why the difference matters)

A goal is specific and finishable. Purpose is larger than you and never “done.” You might have many goals within your purpose, but the joy is in the pursuit, not the finish line. That shift removes pressure and restores energy.

Sandro’s purpose: to integrate the science of happiness and self-awareness across organizations—schools, universities, governments—worldwide. He doesn’t need to reach every institution to live his purpose; he needs to pursue it daily.

The science-backed benefits of having purpose

People who live with a clear sense of purpose tend to report—and studies often find—meaningful advantages:

Better sleep and higher quality of life
Faster recovery from stress (greater resilience)
Stronger relationships and comfort in diverse settings
Lower risk of harmful addictions
Higher income and more assets over time
Longer life expectancy

The point isn’t comparison; it’s direction. Purpose gives you a reason to move forward no matter what’s happening around you.

Your job isn’t your purpose (but alignment helps)

A job can express your purpose, but it isn’t the purpose itself. If your work isn’t aligned yet, aim for closer alignment over time—projects, teams, or roles that let you live your purpose more often. As alignment grows, work feels less like “work” and more like contribution.

What a real purpose includes

A grounded purpose usually has two elements:

Inner fulfillment: it feels meaningful and energizing to you.
Outer impact: it benefits others—your community, future generations, or the world in some concrete way.

Keep both in view. If it lights you up and helps others, you’re on the right track.

Try it: a 20-minute purpose sketch (test, don’t declare)

Write a rough purpose sentence (5 minutes): “I exist to ______ for ______ so that ______.” Keep it imperfect and big-picture.
List three goals inside that purpose (5 minutes): concrete, near-term actions that would express it (e.g., pilot a workshop, mentor two students, publish a guide).
Plan one tiny step (5 minutes): a 15-minute action you can take this week that moves one goal forward.
Add an impact check (5 minutes): Who benefits if you keep pursuing this? How would you know?

Why this works: Purpose becomes real through pursuit. Small, repeated steps give your brain and body evidence—“this matters”—and the feeling of purpose grows with practice.

Reflection

Does your current purpose sketch include both inner fulfillment and outer impact?
Which single goal best expresses your purpose in the next 30 days?
What is the next 15-minute step you’ll schedule today?

What to remember

You don’t have to achieve your purpose—you have to pursue it. Keep it bigger than you, tie it to real people and places, and let goals live inside it. As alignment grows, mornings feel lighter because you’re moving with your why.

— Sandro Formica, PhD

Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])

Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program