How many times have you been told to find your purpose?
Society, culture, and self-help books all seem to emphasize this idea, as if purpose is some hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Yet, most people struggle with it. Some search their whole lives, while others assume their job title or role in society is their purpose.
But what if we’ve been thinking about purpose the wrong way?
In this article, I want to offer a different perspective—one that might help you see purpose in a new light and, more importantly, recognize it in your own life.
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A Simple but Powerful Question
There’s one question I often ask myself when reflecting on purpose:
If I had been born 1,000 years ago, would my purpose still be the same?
Think about it.
Would your purpose change if you lived in ancient times, in a different culture, or under completely different circumstances?
If your answer is yes, then what you’re calling “purpose” might just be a career or a role you’ve attached yourself to. But if your answer is no, then you’re closer to understanding something deeper—because real purpose isn’t about what you do, but why you do it.
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The Trap Most People Fall Into
Here’s where many people get stuck. They focus too much on what they want to do—becoming a doctor, an artist, a business owner—without questioning why they are drawn to it in the first place.
And that’s a dangerous trap.
Because when life throws challenges at you (which it will), or when you start feeling lost (which happens to everyone), you may begin to question your entire sense of purpose.
This is why many people feel unfulfilled, even after achieving their dreams. They work hard to reach a goal, only to realize it doesn’t bring them the deep satisfaction they expected.
Why?
Because they never connected with the why behind their actions.
And when you don’t have a strong why, you risk becoming just another average person in your field—an average doctor, an average artist, an average entrepreneur.
But those who tap into their why—the deeper reason behind their work—are the ones who become truly exceptional.
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Purpose: Internal, But Expressed Externally
Now, let’s go back to that original question.
Would your purpose be different if you lived 1,000 years ago?
Here’s why this question matters:
Purpose is not tied to external circumstances. Whether you live in an era of war or peace, whether you’re a warrior, a philosopher, or a businessperson, your purpose remains the same—it simply finds different expressions.
Purpose is not about doing—it’s about being. What you do may change over time, but the why behind it is constant.
Purpose is about self-expression, not a job title. Too many people define themselves by their careers, but purpose is much bigger than that.
Your real purpose is about using life as a field of experience to grow and evolve. The roles you play along the way are just expressions of that deeper purpose.
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Forget the “What.” Start With “Why.”
Many people think of purpose as some grand, external thing they need to chase. But the truth is, purpose isn’t something you find—it’s something you recognize within yourself.
It’s not about asking what you want to do. Instead, ask:
Why do I feel pulled toward this path?
Why does this matter to me?
Why do I feel most alive when I do this?
When you start with why, everything else begins to make sense.
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A Real-Life Example
Let’s say someone is considering becoming a politician but isn’t sure if it’s the right path.
If they ask themselves, “Why do I want to be a politician?”, they’ll come up with logical reasons—some for, some against. But this kind of reasoning alone won’t reveal their true purpose.
Instead, they should ask:
Do I believe the world is heading in the wrong direction?
Do I feel an urge to create change?
Do I feel most alive when I help solve big problems?
If the answer is yes, then politics is just one way to express their purpose. If not, then politics is just an idea, not a calling.
This applies to every career, every ambition, every dream. Purpose isn’t about the specific job—it’s about the underlying reason that drives you.
Final Thoughts: Purpose Is Already Within You
Here’s what I hope you take away from this:
Your purpose is not a job title. It’s not a career path. It’s not something you need to find.
It’s already within you.
The world will constantly try to define your purpose for you—based on money, status, or social expectations. But the real question is:
Will you let them?
Purpose isn’t about what you do. It’s about why you do it. And when you truly understand your why, the what will take care of itself.