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The Quest for Life Purpose

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • May 5, 2022
  • 5 min read


The Quest for Life Purpose


Over the years your purpose in life may have been very clear. There was a career to develop or a family to raise. Maybe the focus was to be financially stable throughout your lifetime. Perhaps you were more altruistic and found your purpose in helping others. For many of us life moves too fast to develop a plan for life purpose. The question then becomes – what happens when many of your life purpose goals are complete? You raised your kids; you have met your financial goals and you retire. What drives you to get up each morning and engage in your day? What’s next?

Life Purpose Defined

How is life purpose defined? Dr. Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist and researcher for the Memory and Aging Project at Rush University Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, defines purpose in life as this: “It’s the sense that your life has meaning. You’re engaged in things that energize and motivate you, and you think you are important on a broader level, beyond just yourself.” (www.wsj.com) Why is life purpose important? Why does retirement act as a catalyst to even think about these things?

Throughout our work life we might have been clear on our life purpose. We trained for our career, we took on the responsibilities of family. We felt content in our life path. Don’t get me wrong, there are many people who never experience this type of contentment. They go through life searching for their purpose. Retirement for both groups can still have a daunting feeling of being lost. Why is it so important to actually find and live your life purpose?

From a brain function perspective having purpose in life is decidedly protective. Dr. Boyle’s research has revealed that “those who reported having purpose in life showed a 30% slower rate of cognitive decline than those who did not. Having purpose reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s and its precursor – mild cognitive impairment. Even those with plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s had better cognitive function. It’s a remarkable finding.” (www.wsj.com)


The Blue Zones

Studies of the Blue Zones (communities in the world in which people likely live past 100) by Dan Buettner found that one of the factors that most centenarians share is a strong sense of purpose. A study in 2008 of Japanese men found that a lower level of purpose was associated with earlier death and cardiovascular disease. And purpose can positively affect pain management. Why would this be important in longevity? Older people have more incidents of chronic disease and pain issues can really decrease the quality of our lives.

When you have your life purpose in mind you actually exhibit more resilience. Purpose can offer a psychological buffer against obstacles. A person with a strong sense of purpose remains satisfied with life even while exhibiting a difficult day. Studies indicate that this kind of long-term resilience can lead to better cardiovascular health, less worry, and greater happiness over time (www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu).


Life Purpose and Retirement

How does life purpose affect retirement? Dan Buettner states that the two most vulnerable times in a person’s life are the first twelve months after birth and the year following retirement. You may have even heard stories of perfectly healthy men who died shortly after they retired from a lifelong career. Researchers suspect that for these men, the end of their career also signified the end of their purpose in life. A study of retired employees found that men and women who retired early (age 55) were more likely to die early than those who retires at age 65. Studies like this indicate that there may be some risk in only finding meaning in a career. There is huge importance in finding ways to continue serving purpose even after retirement to improve chances of a longer, healthier life (www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu).

There can be analysis paralysis if you find yourself in this situation. Just the words – ‘life plan’ can be overwhelming. Where do you start to find your purpose? Richard Leider, author of the book The Power of Purpose: Find Meaning, Live Long, Better, has six tips for living the life you love:


· Don’t let yourself “rust out”: This is Leider’s term for what happens when we are gridlocked by life’s circumstances. “Whenever you are not challenged by your life, whenever you feel like you are just going through the motions, it’s time to rethink your purpose.”


· Push the pause button: “Too often, we allow the busy-ness of our lives to hijack our sense of purpose. We are so caught up doing what we have to do, we lose track of what we really want to do.” Now is the time to reboot your operating system. Take a 12-hour fast of all media. Sit quietly and breathe deeply. Your heart and mind will stop racing and you will have more time to look inward and consider what is most important to you.


· Define your life passion: “Think about what gets you up in the morning and – keeps you up at night. I’m not talking about worries and anxieties, but rather interests and activities that excite and motivate you, or the causes you’d like to know more about and participate in” says Leider.


· Draw your life map: To create your map, cut out pictures from magazines, download online images that calm you, inspire you, spur you into action, make you happy and represent your life goals and dreams.


· Identify your brain trust: Going alone without input from others can actually keep you stuck. Ideally, you would have at least one person you can count on just to listen when you need to work through options in your mind. You need another person to act as a catalyst, spurring you to take action.


· Take it in stages: Putting purpose into action demands motivation, courage and patience. What if taking a big step is too far out of your comfort zone? The answer Start Small. “Purpose evolves as interests and experiences change, and as you move through different ages and stages,” notes Leider. Identify one thing you can do every day to make your corner of the world a better place. “Once you clarified your purpose, you discover new passions,” says Leider.

Live the Life You Love! By Margery D. Rosen, Jan 11, 2012

There is no greater joy than living your authentic life. There is no age limit – top or bottom – that keeps you from discovering your purpose and your passion.

References:

Cole, D. (January 13, 2013). Why you need a mission. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323316804578163501792318298

Rosen, M. (January 11, 2012). Live the life you love! Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/personal-growth/transitions/info-06-2011/5-weeks-ep5-purpose.html

University of Minnesota. Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing. Why is life purpose important? Retrieved from https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/purpose/life-purpose/why-life-purpose-important




 
 
 

Comments

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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