How To Know Your Life Purpose In 5 Minutes | Adam Leipzig | Tedxmalibu

Introduction

At a recent college reunion, I was struck by a conversation I had with my former classmates. Despite their privileged backgrounds, education, and success, a startling 80% of them expressed unhappiness with their lives. They felt as though they had wasted their time and didn't know what their life was all about.

Lessons from the Happiest 20%

While the majority of my classmates were dissatisfied, there was a small group of the happiest 20% who had a different outlook. These individuals had pursued their passions and lived their lives expansively, embracing both the ups and downs. What differentiated this group was their clarity about their life purpose. They knew who they were, what they did, who they did it for, what those people wanted or needed, and how they changed as a result.

Discovering Your Life Purpose

The process of discovering your life purpose doesn't need to be complex or time-consuming. In fact, I believe you can do it right now, in the next five minutes. Are you ready to uncover your life purpose?

Step 1: Who Are You?

Let's start by shouting out your first name. That's who you are. Simple, right?

Step 2: What Do You Do?

Now, think about what you love to do. Do you enjoy writing, cooking, designing, or teaching? If you're uncertain, ask yourself this question: What is the one thing that you feel supremely qualified to teach other people? Distill this into one word.

Step 3: Who Do You Do It For?

Picture the people you serve in your mind. Who do you do it for? Is it children, entrepreneurs, or people seeking personal growth?

Step 4: What Do They Want or Need?

Consider what the people you serve want or need from you. Distill this into one or two words.

Step 5: How Do They Change?

Think about how the people you serve change or transform as a result of what you give them. Imagine the positive impact you have on their lives.

Putting It All Together

Now, let's put all the pieces together to create a sentence that encapsulates your life purpose. Together, let's say:

• Who are you? [Audience responds]
• What do you do? [Audience responds]
• Who do you do it for? [Audience responds]
• What do they want or need? [Audience responds]
• How do they change as a result? [Audience responds]

Congratulations! By completing this exercise, you have achieved something that many people struggle with for years. You now have clarity on your life purpose.

The Power of Focusing Outward

What sets apart the happiest people is their focus on others rather than themselves. Most successful individuals prioritize serving others over personal gain. By making others happy and meeting their needs, we create a ripple effect that ensures our own well-being and success.

Extra Credit: Craft an Elevator Pitch

Responding to the question, "What do you do?" can be challenging. Instead of a generic response, use the last piece of information you called out to provide a captivating elevator pitch. For example, say "I give kids awesome dreams" if you write children's books that inspire imaginative thinking during bedtime. This will undoubtedly pique the other person's interest and lead to a meaningful conversation.

Conclusion

Uncovering your life purpose doesn't have to be a daunting task. By focusing on who you are, what you do, who you do it for, what they want or need, and how they change as a result, you can gain clarity and live a more fulfilling life. Embrace an outward-facing approach and make it your mission to serve others. Remember, when you make others happy, life takes care of you too.