Finding My Own Purpose Statement (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Easy)
The other day, a buddy of mine asked me what my purpose statement was. Without missing a beat, I rattled off the purpose of my newsletter, The Focused Fool. “A newsletter documenting my search for growth, clarity, and purpose in an ever-changing world. Through personal stories and actionable insights, it challenges assumptions, sparks meaningful conversations, and encourages men to take focused action toward becoming better husbands, fathers, and individuals.”
I thought, “Nailed it!” But then he hit me with, “No, your personal purpose statement.”
Cue the mental record scratch.
I didn’t have an answer. I just stood there, slack-jawed, as if he’d asked me to recite the quadratic formula—which, by the way, is -b ± √(b² – 4ac) / 2a. Yeah, I had to look it up.
Why a Personal Purpose Statement Matters
It got me thinking—how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a purpose guiding you? It’s like getting into a car without a GPS, a map, or even a vague sense of whether you’re heading north or south. Sure, you might stumble upon a decent diner, but odds are, you’ll just end up lost and wondering why you’re surrounded by cows.
So, I started diving into the idea of crafting a personal purpose statement. It sounded a little corporate at first, like I needed a whiteboard and a team of consultants. But then I came across Sahil Bloom’s idea of a “life razor.” The concept is simple: your life razor is a guiding principle that cuts through the noise and makes decisions clearer. When faced with a choice, you ask yourself, “Does this lead me toward or away from my purpose?” It’s like a life hack for overthinkers.
Refining My Purpose: From Grand to Grounded
When I set out to create my purpose statement, I started by reflecting on my core values. Honesty, integrity, and serving others stood out as guiding principles that I wanted to live by. I then moved on to identify my passions and strengths. My family came first, followed closely by helping others. I’ve always felt the most fulfilled when I’m supporting people in becoming their best selves. After much reflection, I realized this is why I love being a manager of people—I enjoy getting to know them, discovering what lights them up, and helping them pursue their passions.
With my values and passions in mind, I thought about my desired impact. My ultimate goal is to raise great kids who become intelligent, productive members of society and to help individuals reach their potential. It felt simple yet meaningful—a solid foundation for a purpose statement.
Combining all of this, I crafted my first draft: “To become the best version of myself—embracing life with awe, humility, and an unrelenting drive for growth. Through intentional action, I strive to be a devoted husband, a present father, and a man who leads by example, inspiring others to pursue their own journey of excellence.”
Not bad, right? But the more I thought about it, the more it felt like a TED Talk and less like something I could actually remember. I wanted something punchier, more to the point. I stripped it back to its essence: “To be a loving husband, a devoted father, and to serve others.”
Then I decided to break it down to its simplest form: “To Serve Others.”
But here’s where it got tricky. When I simplified my purpose statement to just “To Serve Others,” I thought I had found the ultimate life razor. It was clear, concise, and undeniably noble. But then reality hit me. What if I was offered a job as a corporate coach, helping hundreds of people, but it required me to travel all the time? Sure, I’d be serving others and leading by example, but I’d be missing out on precious time with my family—the very people I most want to serve.
That’s when I realized that my purpose statement had gotten too simple. It had lost the nuance of my primary guiding force: being a loving husband and devoted father. I needed that part in there to make sure my decisions weren’t just about serving broadly but serving where it mattered most to me.
So, I changed my purpose statement one last time and ended up with: “To prioritize my family by being a loving husband and devoted father, while leading by example and serving others with purpose.” It wasn’t as grand as the original version or as sleek as the pared-down one, but it struck the right balance between clarity and depth.
6 Steps to Create Your Own Personal Purpose Statement
1. Reflect on Your Core Values
What truly matters to you? Think about the qualities you want to embody as a person, husband, father, and leader. What do you want to be remembered for?
2. Identify Your Passions and Strengths
Consider what activities make you feel most alive and fulfilled. Where do you naturally excel? What do others often seek your advice or help with?
3. Define Your Impact
Who do you want to impact—your family, community, specific groups of people? How do you want to make a difference in their lives?
4. Craft a Draft Purpose Statement
Combine your values, passions, and desired impact into a concise statement. Start with prompts like: “My purpose is to…” “I strive to…” “I am here to…”
5. Test It Against Real-Life Decisions
When you face a choice, big or small, ask: “Does this lead me toward or away from my purpose?”
6. Refine and Simplify
Your purpose statement should be clear, memorable, and actionable. Simplify until it feels like a natural compass for your life.
Why Your Purpose Statement Is Your Compass
Creating a personal purpose statement isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about having a compass, something to steer you when life’s waters get choppy. And trust me, they always get choppy. But when you know your purpose, you’re far less likely to capsize.
So, what’s your purpose statement? If you don’t know, that’s okay. I didn’t either. But start thinking about it. You might be surprised where it leads you.
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