Finding Your Own Sense of Purpose

Hello again!

Today, I want to delve into Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature, a book I mentioned several times in the past. By the way, this book spans a whopping 900 pages! 

But somehow, I've managed to read this intense book about three times. I often go back and reread the parts I've underlined because it has given me so many realizations. There are certain sections that I absolutely must share with you, and today is one of those times.

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There are people who live their lives with a clear sense of purpose. These individuals work hard, live proactively, and lead fulfilling lives. They seem to have their own clear opinions and philosophies. Robert Greene touches on this in The Laws of Human Nature, specifically discussing an individual's sense of purpose. Let me break down what the author wrote along with my own brief thoughts.

Finding direction

Most of us face a common challenge: after 12 years of school education (whether you go to university or not), we're thrown into the workforce. Until now, we've just followed a set path and completed assigned tasks. But suddenly, we’re expected to make our own choices and take responsibility for everything. We haven’t been trained for this.

A great way to overcome this confusion is by discovering your sense of purpose. Humans instinctively crave direction, but finding that direction from within ourselves—not from external environments or the people around us—is key. (Not exactly easy, though. 🙄)

Think about it: there must be topics or activities that naturally draw you in. Besides your obligatory tasks, what do you spend your time doing? What kind of life do the people you admire lead? What are the themes of the books you read or the content you consume? What do you do without being asked? What are you good at? What can you really work hard on? What makes your heart race? What is most precious to you?

If you can’t think of anything right now, what about the past? What could you immerse yourself in back then? What dreams did you have as a child?

Of course, this is no easy task. Finding your sense of purpose is like searching for your internal North Star—it requires a lot of wandering, exploration, and can take a long time. But it's incredibly important. Many people can't endure this confusion and end up choosing what others are doing, what looks good now, or what can earn money quickly. These choices aren’t necessarily bad, but making hasty decisions without taking the time to reflect inwardly will eventually lead to self-doubt.

The Force Multiplier

When you have a sense of purpose, you’re much less anxious. You can unlock your potential and put more effort into excelling. Because you’re doing something you love and can think in long-term, you can think ahead. This reduces impatience and stress. Even when you face failures, you can bounce back.

More importantly, a sense of purpose acts as a force multiplier in your work and life. Not familiar with the term?

In military history, there are two types of armies. One fights for a cause or ideology, and the other fights as professional soldiers for money. A prime example of the former is Napoleon’s army, which fought to spread the ideals of the French Revolution. These soldiers link their personal destiny with the greater cause and the nation’s fate, making them fight more fiercely and even willing to die for the cause. This is what Greene refers to as the force multiplier.

Work and life are the same. When you connect what you do with your sense of purpose or calling, you’ll work hard even without being told. Every decision and action you take gains greater power. You can focus fully with a clear sense of direction.

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Do you know anyone who lives according to their sense of purpose? Keep them close. Even if you haven’t found your own purpose yet, observing their actions, decision-making standards, and philosophies can greatly influence you. Just talking with them can be incredibly inspiring.

On the flip side, if you want to be positively influenced, distance yourself from people who make superficial choices without deeply contemplating their lives and purposes. Especially if someone is cynical about the idea of having a sense of purpose, it’s best to steer clear of them.

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Explaining it like this might make the idea of a calling seem grandiose, as if you need to be a hero saving the world. But there’s no such thing as a superior or inferior calling. What matters is finding a calling that matches your personal desires and tendencies. The key is to have your own steadfast perspective and flexibly exert your influence.

Physical labor or technical skills can also be a great sense of purpose. You should take pride in doing your job well. Or taking responsibility for and caring for your family is a highly noble calling.

Discovering your calling is inherently difficult. Even if you find it after long contemplation and effort, it might become irrelevant over time. That’s why it’s important not to rush and to cultivate the habit of constantly reflecting with patience.

Engaging with good content like books, talking with people who live with purpose, having diverse experiences, and writing down your thoughts are all effective methods.

To wrap up, here’s a quote from Robert Greene:

“In any case, develop your individuality and the originality that comes with it as much as possible. In a world full of people who seem interchangeable, become someone who is irreplaceable. There is only one you in the world. No one else has the same skills and experiences as you. This is the true freedom and ultimate power that humans can possess.”

How about you? Are there any activities, topics, or pursuits that naturally draw you in? Take some time to reflect and have a conversation with yourself.

See you next week!