Sunday, May 5, 2024

purpose-driven or life-driven

 What is life purpose and how do you find your life purpose (or purposes)? Learn more about the science of purpose so you can create a more purpose-driven life.

Many of us think of life purpose and meaning in life as the same thing, but they are slightly different. More specifically, it's thought that life purpose, or engaging in purpose-driven behaviors, is just one thing that contributes to a meaningful life.


When you have purpose in your life, you likely feel good about the way you are living your life. You might feel that there is some ultimate reason for your actions and that you are contributing to the world in some important way. This gives you a sense of satisfaction and connectedness which can help you reach higher levels of well-being.


What is life purpose and how do you find your life purpose (or purposes)? Learn more about the science of purpose so you can create a more purpose-driven life.

What Is Life Purpose?

Life purpose is defined as having set goals and a direction for one's life . Many of us think of life purpose and meaning in life as the same thing, but they are slightly different. More specifically, it's thought that life purpose, or engaging in purpose-driven behaviors, is just one thing that contributes to a meaningful life.


When you have purpose in your life, you likely feel good about the way you are living your life. You might feel that there is some ultimate reason for your actions and that you are contributing to the world in some important way. This gives you a sense of satisfaction and connectedness which can help you reach higher levels of well-being.

How Do You Define Life Purpose?

Life purpose means different things to different people. One study suggests that there are four different types of purpose . These types are:

Prosocial. Defined as a propensity to help others and influence the societal structure

Creative. Defined as artistic goals and a propensity for originality

Financial. Defined as goals of financial well-being and administrative success

Personal recognition. Defined as one's desire for recognition and respect from colleagues


People vary on how much they pursue each of these types of purpose. But if our goal is to increase happiness and well-being, then focusing our efforts on the prosocial type of purpose is the best strategy. Specifically, get involved in projects that help others in some way and try to “give back” in ways that matter to you.

Finding Meaning in Life

Although life purpose and life meaning are not quite the same things, it seems helpful to talk about meaning in life here as well. ​The factors that are thought to make up a meaningful life include values, principles, purpose, accomplishment, and excitement.


Valuing life: Seeing life’s inherent value

Living by principles: Having a personal philosophy that guides your life

Purpose: Having clear goals and intentions

Accomplishment: Setting and reaching personal goals

Excitement in life: A sense that life is exciting, interesting, or engaging

 

Each of these things individually contributes to a greater sense of meaning in life. So ask yourself, how strong do you feel in each of these areas and what could you do to focus more on each of these things?


Life is breathing the spirit ...

So how do you find your life purpose (or purposes)? First, it's important to keep in mind that you can have more than one purpose. You can have lots, and the more the better. To start finding your purposes, ask yourself these questions:


1. What pain, injustice, or problem do you really want to be solved?


This question can help you discover what really matters to you. Once you know this, start setting goals and intentions for how you'll help solve this problem. This doesn't have to be anything big. For example, if you really want the world to be a nicer place, you can start making it that way by practicing random acts of kindness in your daily life.


2. What activities energize you?


Your answer to this question can further point to your life purpose because when you are in alignment with your life purpose, you feel energized and may even experience the state of flow—an experience where you're so immersed in what you're doing that you become fully present and may even lose track of time.


3. What are you willing to sacrifice for?


The things that give us life purpose are usually the things that matter so much to us that we're willing to sacrifice other important things like leisure time or money. So what are the things, people, or projects that you're are willing to sacrifice for?


4. Who do you want to help?


The thing about happiness is that if we become overly focused on ourselves and our own happiness, we're actually less happy (Ford et al., 2014). That's why it's so important to disconnect for a moment from your desire to find your purpose. Instead, shift your focus onto how you can help others. Ask yourself who can you help, how can you help, and who do you want to help? Start small if you need to—offer to help a friend, give a compliment, bake cookies for your coworkers, or say thanks to the store clerk. Figuring out how you can help others in ways that are meaningful to you is the key to finding life purpose.

What Else Gives People Life Purpose?

​These seven things can further contribute to life purpose:

1. Social Connection. Creating meaningful connections with others is a great way to increase life purpose while also boosting health and happiness.

2. Achievement. ​Achieving important goals, especially purpose-driven goals, is helpful for enhancing purpose.

3. Self-expression. Expressing ourselves, our emotions, our opinions, and ideas is helpful for purpose.

4. Excitement. Fun, joy, and excitement help life feel more enjoyable and purposeful.

5. Impact. When we positively impact the lives of others, we boost our sense of purpose.

6. Personal growth. When we work on improving ourselves in ways that matter to us, we can increase our sense of purpose.

7. Recognition. Admiration can give us a feeling that we are valued and are living a life of purpose.

生命就是呼吸精神……


那么你如何找到你的人生目标(或目标)呢?首先,重要的是要记住你可以有多个目标。你可以有很多,越多越好。要开始寻找你的目标,请问自己这些问题:


1. 你真正想要解决的痛苦、不公正或问题是什么?


这个问题可以帮助你发现什么对你来说真正重要。一旦你知道了这一点,就开始设定目标和意图,看看你将如何帮助解决这个问题。这不一定是什么大事。例如,如果你真的希望世界变得更美好,你可以通过在日常生活中随意做些善事来开始让它变得更美好。


2. 什么活动能让你充满活力?


你对这个问题的回答可以进一步指出你的人生目标,因为当你与你的人生目标保持一致时,你会感到精力充沛,甚至可能会体验到心流状态——一种你沉浸在所做的事情中的体验,你会全身心投入其中,甚至可能忘记时间。


 3. 你愿意为了什么而牺牲?


那些赋予我们人生意义的东西通常是那些对我们来说非常重要的东西,以至于我们愿意牺牲其他重要的东西,比如闲暇时间或金钱。那么,你愿意为哪些东西、人或项目牺牲呢?


4. 你想帮助谁?


关于幸福,如果我们过于关注自己和自己的幸福,我们实际上会不那么幸福 (Ford 等人,2014)。这就是为什么暂时放下寻找人生目标的欲望如此重要。相反,将注意力转移到如何帮助他人上。问问自己,你可以帮助谁,如何帮助,你想帮助谁?如果需要,可以从小事做起——主动帮助朋友,赞美,为同事烤饼干,或者向店员道谢。弄清楚如何以对你有意义的方式帮助他人是找到人生目标的关键。


还有什么能给人们人生目标?


 ​以下七件事可以进一步促进人生目标:


1. 社会联系。与他人建立有意义的联系是增加人生目标的好方法,同时也能增进健康和幸福。


2. 成就。​实现重要目标,尤其是有目的的目标,有助于增强目标。


3. 自我表达。表达我们自己、我们的情绪、我们的观点和想法有助于实现目标。


4. 兴奋。乐趣、喜悦和兴奋使生活更加愉快和有意义。


5. 影响。当我们对他人的生活产生积极影响时,我们会增强我们的目标感。


6. 个人成长。当我们努力以对我们重要的方式改善自己时,我们可以增强我们的目标感。


7. 认可。钦佩可以让我们感觉到我们受到重视并且过着有目的的生活。

什么是人生目标?你如何找到你的人生目标?了解更多有关目标的科学知识,这样你就可以创造一个更有目标的生活。


我们中的许多人认为人生目标和人生意义是同一件事,但它们略有不同。更具体地说,人们认为人生目标或从事有目标的行为只是对有意义的生活做出贡献的一件事。


当你的生活中有了目标,你可能会对自己的生活方式感到满意。你可能会觉得你的行为有某种最终的原因,你正在以某种重要的方式为世界做出贡献。这给你一种满足感和联系感,可以帮助你达到更高的幸福感。


什么是人生目标?


人生目标被定义为为一个人的生活设定目标和方向。


你如何定义人生目标?


人生目标对不同的人来说意味着不同的东西。一项研究表明,有四种不同类型的目标。这些类型是:


亲社会。 定义为帮助他人和影响社会结构的倾向


创造性。定义为艺术目标和原创倾向


财务。定义为财务健康和行政成功的目标


个人认可。定义为希望得到同事的认可和尊重


人们追求这些目标的程度各不相同。但如果我们的目标是增加幸福感和幸福感,那么将我们的努力集中在亲社会类型的目标上是最好的策略。具体来说,参与以某种方式帮助他人的项目,并尝试以对你来说重要的方式“回馈”。


寻找生命的意义


虽然生命目的和生命意义并不完全相同,但在这里谈论生命的意义似乎也很有帮助。​被认为构成有意义的生活的因素包括价值观、原则、目的、成就和兴奋。


 珍惜生命:看到生命的内在价值


坚持原则:拥有指导你生活的个人哲学


目的:有明确的目标和意图


成就:设定和实现个人目标


生活中的兴奋:感觉生活令人兴奋、有趣或引人入胜


这些事情中的每一个都会对生活的意义产生更大的影响。所以问问自己,你对这些领域的感受有多强烈,你可以做些什么来更加专注于这些事情?

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