How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes

“How To Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes”

This is a TEDx talk given by Yale graduate Adam Leipzig. I found in just a few short minutes the questions he asks can help you cut through the confusion and really get discernment on your calling.

My only caveat would be that I don’t believe we always get discernment on our life purpose. Often we discover it in stages, like pieces of a puzzle. So I prefer talking about purpose in terms of seasonal purpose, rather than life purpose.

An older person who has the advantage of many life experiences is going to have much more clarity on their “life” purpose than a college freshman will. So if you’re 30 or under, I would definitely recommend using the word “season” instead of “life” when talking about your purpose.

Here’s a Recap of the Five Questions:

• Who am I?
• What is the one thing that right now you feel supremely qualified to teach other people?
• Who do you do it for?
• What do those people want or need?
• How are they transformed as a result?

 My favorite quotes from the talk:

• “The unexamined life is not worth living. But if all you’re doing is examining, then you’re not living!” – Adam Leipzig
• “The most successful people in any field always focus most on the people that they serve, than on how they are served themselves.” – Adam Leipzig
• “Happier people make it a point to do things that make other people happy.” – Adam Leipzig

My Thoughts on Purpose

Overall, for a ten minute presentation, I have to say very well done Mr. Leipzig! Those questions are excellent for getting clarity! I loved the outward focus to them as well. Purpose is such an internal search, but looking inward is only half of the equation.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe that purpose is discovered more than it is designed. That God creates us with unique passions, personalities, and abilities, and he provides us with direction on our purpose as we tune into him.

I also believe that purpose is a partnership. It’s not necessarily our purpose, it’s his purpose (which is usually far better than we could have imagined for ourselves) lived through us. Proverbs 19:21 says that we make our plans in our heart, but God’s Purpose is ultimately what prevails. I’ve found the more that our plans are aligned with his purposes, the more peace and fulfillment (plus joy, excitement, life, etc) we will experience.

Well hopefully this video was helpful to you!

-Wesley

Feeling Brave? I challenge you to write out the “sentence” you came up with after going through the questions.