Life Purpose
Thoughts about a Ted Talk
Recently I watched a Ted Talk by Adam Leipzig, about finding one’s life purpose, and I thought he made some really interesting and unique points, and got me thinking about life and the future from a completely different perspective. The speech may have been targeted to adults, yet I found it really useful and this is my take on the message.
The speaker shared his experience at an ivy league college reunion many years after graduating, and he realized that the majority of the people he talked to that day were unhappy with their lives and had not felt like they served their “life’s purpose.” These people also happened to be very wealthy, privileged, and received the best education, however their heavy reliance on material objects made them feel even less happy and fulfilled. In contrast, the speaker included a smaller group, who had been given the same privilege to get a fine education. However, they took that opportunity to explore their passion and interests. They did not attend school, solely to find a job after, but to be able to gain a variety of new experiences.
After watching the Ted Talk, I took note of some interesting points made, these included the idea that the smaller group of people had pursued something because they enjoyed it. Although, this surprisingly smaller percentage shows that people are more focused on finding a job and do not prioritize finding themselves and discovering who they are and potentially their role in society as a whole. I believe that feeling happy in one’s career is important but is often overlooked in today’s busy society. People go about their lives looking for a job and never really stop and understand who they are. However, at the end of the day the tasks that one accomplishes should make them feel proud of themselves and help them feel like they served a greater purpose to the community. Overall, I thought this was a very interesting video and had the power to get people thinking about what they are currently pursuing or planning to pursue. I also agree that it is always important to think about the impact that a choice can have on an individual in the long run.
The video also made me wonder why the speaker shared this specific experience with the audience and what his main message was? It brought me to the conclusion that the speaker’s purpose may have been to inspire others to think creatively and differently. Many people talk about life purposes and passions, but never really continue in that path or fully grasp the meaning. Although, it is very important to love what you do nonetheless. The speech was a way to pull people’s attention from their daily schedule and lives and think for a moment if what they’re doing is serving a purpose for themselves and others. My main takeaway is that when you follow your passions or “purpose” you not only benefit yourself but many other people too, and you enjoy it.
“Recipe” to Find Your Life Purpose:
Consider these questions (mentioned in the video):
Who are you?
What do you do?
Who do you do it for?
What do others want or need?
How have your actions helped them change?
Write your responses to these questions down, but always continue to make any necessary changes.
Whenever you feel stuck or unsure what to do, think back to these questions.
Always ask yourself if you are passionate and love what you do.
Keep in mind that this is a process and does take time, so be patient with yourself!