What does it mean to truly live with purpose?

Have you ever wondered if there’s more to your life than just the roles you play every day? What if the essence of your purpose has been within you all along, waiting to be discovered?

Today, let’s reflect on the concept of “Life Purpose”. In my 30+ years of leadership coaching and leadership development experience, I had to answer maximum number of questions in the area of finding life purpose. In this article, let’s explore what purpose really means and how we can align with it every day.

The True Nature of Life Purpose

What actually is life purpose? This is a question that many of us struggle with throughout our lives. We often mistakenly believe that our purpose is linked to our career, our family responsibilities, or the many roles we play in society. These roles are significant, but they are only parts of the larger tapestry of life. They are not our purpose.

Life purpose is something much deeper. In Indic wisdom, it is often referred to as Svadharma—the unique duty and purpose that each individual must fulfill, based on their inherent nature. I can say that Svadharma is chosen at a soul level before we even set foot on this earth. It is the very essence of why we are here, inhabiting this physical form. Unlike the superficial roles we adopt, life purpose isn’t necessarily about being grand or well-known—it is not about speaking from large stages, amassing followers, or running big organizations. Instead, it is about the quiet, genuine calling of the heart.

Purpose may be as simple as the way you make others feel, the integrity you bring into your work, or the small acts of kindness that ripple outward, transforming others in ways you may never fully see.

Purpose Is Not High-Sounding, It Is Real

Each of us has a unique life purpose, one that aligns with our passions, talents, and values. In Purusharthas, the traditional framework of four aims of human life, Dharma represents the idea of aligning our actions with our sense of duty, ethics, and purpose. Your life purpose doesn’t need to sound noble or impressive to others. It is about what you are passionate about and what calls you to act every day. You might be a doctor, a teacher, a baker, or an artist—and if you practice your profession with heart and integrity, you are living your purpose.

Think of the doctor who chooses not just to treat patients for the sake of money but to heal—to alleviate suffering with compassion. Such a person transforms their profession into something more meaningful—they become a healer. Have you come across such a doctor? Or think of a teacher who goes beyond simply delivering lessons—who inspires, guides, and nurtures her students. Her purpose is clear: it is to uplift others, to awaken curiosity, and to help others grow. I was fortunate to have several such teachers inspire me. Mr. Krupakar taught me English in my undergraduate studies in Anantapur and I still remember how deeply he was affected by Le Miserables. Dr. Rangachar taught me physics and he continues to inspire me every time I meet him — 50 years after teaching me.

Purpose is about authenticity. It is not what society tells you it should be; it is what aligns with your soul, what resonates deeply within you. It could be the way you are always there for your friends, the way you care for animals, or how you strive to make a difference in your community, however small. In that authenticity lies the essence of your North Star—the direction that gives your life meaning.

Discovering Your Life Purpose

To truly understand our life purpose, we must ask ourselves: What makes me come alive? Often, the clues to our purpose are found in the small moments that bring us joy—those times when we lose track of time, when we feel most fulfilled. It may come through our natural gifts or through what we feel deeply passionate about changing in the world.

Life purpose is about impact. It is about finding where you make a difference that only you can make. It is not about how big or small the impact is, but about how aligned it is with your true self. The late Dr. Venkataswamy (Dr. V), founder of Aravind Eye Hospital, transformed his life’s purpose into eliminating needless blindness. He did not set out to create something grand; he started simply, driven by a need to serve and make a difference in people’s lives. After his retirement, he requested his sister Dr. Nachiyar to agree to convert their ancestral property into a 11 bed hospital in 1970s. Over time, his purpose blossomed into something that has restored sight to millions and Aravind Eye Care does more than 450,000 surgeries a year!

Another story that exemplifies this beautifully is that of Nipun Mehta, who left behind a promising tech career to live a life dedicated to service. He founded ServiceSpace, an organization that is now a network of over 1.5 million people practicing kindness and generosity. Nipun did not aim to be famous; he simply chose to serve. By following his North Star—his deep commitment to compassion—he created ripples of positivity that have reached countless lives around the globe.

Ved Krishna, who took over his father’s vision and connected it to a sustainable packaging initiative to create Pakka Inc, also shows us how purpose can be about continuing and evolving a family dream. His commitment to making the earth a better place through innovative and ethical solutions in packaging represents a deeply personal purpose that evolved from his family’s values and mission.

These examples remind us that purpose doesn’t have to be large-scale or famous. It just has to be real. The ripple effect of even the smallest acts of kindness can change the world in profound ways, even if we cannot immediately see it.

Your Life Purpose May Already Be Here

Often, we search endlessly for our life purpose, thinking it is something that exists outside of us—something we must “discover” out there. In reality, our life purpose is already within us; it’s simply waiting for us to live it fully. It is found in the moments of selfless love, in the integrity with which we work, and in the passion that we bring into our daily actions. It may not change the whole world, but it will change your world and the lives of those around you.

Steps to Find and Live Your Life Purpose

Finding your life purpose is an ongoing journey, and it’s essential to actively engage in this exploration. Here are some key steps to help you move forward:

i) Reflect on Joy and Flow: Think about the activities that make you feel alive. What are you doing when you lose track of time? These are clues to what you are naturally inclined towards. Joy and flow are often signs that you are engaging with your purpose. Write down these activities and reflect on why they make you feel so alive.

ii) Identify Your Unique Strengths: Each of us has unique gifts and talents. Consider the things that come naturally to you. What do others come to you for help with? Your strengths are often a major component of your life purpose. Understanding your skills and talents helps you see how you can contribute uniquely to the world.

iii) Consider What the World Needs: Look at the world around you. What problems do you feel passionate about solving? Sometimes, life purpose emerges from a sense of wanting to make the world better in some specific way. Reflect on the causes that resonate with you deeply—those that spark a desire to act. For example, if you are passionate about education, you might consider volunteering at a local after-school program to help bridge the gap for underserved children.

iv) Experiment and Take Action: The best way to discover your life purpose is to take action. Purpose is rarely something you figure out through thought alone—it emerges as you experiment with different roles, activities, and contributions. Start small. Volunteer, try out new hobbies, take a class, or join a cause. Each step you take will give you more clarity.

v) Seek Guidance and Mentorship: Purpose is often nurtured through relationships. Mentors, friends, and even accidental encounters can play a significant role in guiding you towards your North Star. Jeff Goins talks about accidental apprenticeships—the people we meet along the way who shape us. Be open to learning from those around you, and seek guidance from those you admire. For example, think about a mentor who has helped guide you in an unexpected way, perhaps nudging you towards something you hadn’t considered.

vi) Reflect on Challenges and Growth: Sometimes, our greatest challenges point to our life purpose. The obstacles we overcome often become the areas where we can help others. Reflect on the struggles you have faced. What have they taught you? How can you use those lessons to serve others? Your scars may be the key to unlocking someone else’s healing. Fear of failure often keeps us from exploring our purpose, but reframing failures as learning experiences helps us move forward.

vii) Revisit and Evolve Your Purpose: Remember that your life purpose is not static. It will grow and change as you do. What felt meaningful to you five years ago may evolve into something different today. Regular reflection is crucial. Set aside time each year to ask yourself if your current path is still aligned with your deeper values and passions. Be open to change and growth. In Indic philosophy, Svadharma evolves based on our stage of life, and embracing that evolution is essential to living an authentic purpose.

A Continuous Journey of Exploration

Finding and living your life purpose is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of exploration. You might find your purpose shifting as you grow, and that is perfectly normal. Stay curious. Revisit the activities that once brought you joy and continue experimenting. Stay open to new passions and let them shape your journey.

If you are wondering what your life purpose is, take a moment to reflect. What fills you with joy? What talents do you have that can contribute to others? What issue makes you feel passionately that you need to do something about it? Once you have some clarity, take one small step towards it. Purpose is not something that arrives fully formed; it unfolds as we take action, learn, and grow.

Remember, life purpose is not a destination—it is a direction, a North Star that guides us through our journey. Follow it, trust it, and nurture it through action. Your purpose does not need an audience of millions; it just needs your authentic self, fully present and committed.

A Simple Call to Action

a) Think of one thing that brings you joy.

b) Think of one thing that aligns with your strengths.

c) Think of one thing that the world needs.

Write them down. Tomorrow, take one small action towards aligning your life with these elements. Whether it is reaching out to help someone, signing up to volunteer, or simply taking time to reflect on your direction, every small step matters. These actions are the ripples that will ultimately shape your life purpose.

Final Thought

Your life purpose is your North Star. It isn’t always glamorous or visible to the world. It’s not about reaching a specific destination, but about how you travel, how you bring your best self to every action, and how you align your life with what truly matters to you. Just as Dr. V, Ved Krishna, and Nipun Mehta followed their North Stars to make a difference, you too have a unique purpose, waiting to unfold.

It might not change millions of lives, but it can change yours. And that is where everything starts.

Summary of Key Steps to Find Your Purpose:

i) Reflect on joy and flow.

ii) Identify your unique strengths.

iii) Consider what the world needs.

iv) Experiment and take action.

v) Seek guidance and mentorship.

vi) Reflect on challenges and growth.

vii) Revisit and evolve your purpose regularly.

Every journey begins with a small step. Take yours today.

(Image created by DallE for the article)