Finding Purpose in Retirement with Jordan Grumet

Jan 8, 2025

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Summary

I had the privilege to sit down with Jordan Grumet, author of the brilliant new book The Purpose Code and host of The Earn & Invest Podcast.

In this conversation, Jordan shares his journey from being a physician to discovering the importance of purpose in life, particularly in retirement.

He discusses the paradox of purpose, the difference between Big P and Little P Purpose, and how societal expectations can lead to anxiety around finding purpose.

Jordan emphasises the need to create and build purpose rather than simply searching for it, and highlights the importance of community and connections in achieving fulfillment and happiness.

Jordan and I explore the concepts of purpose, identity, and the flawed notion of retirement. We discuss how individuals often strive for external validation through accomplishments, but true fulfillment comes from understanding one's identity and engaging in meaningful activities. Our discussion emphasises the importance of time over money, the impact of little-p purpose in life, and the common regrets people have at the end of their lives.

Ultimately, Jordan encourages you to focus on the journey of life rather than the destination, and to seek out what truly lights you up.

Key Takeaways

Purpose is essential for a fulfilling life, especially in retirement.
Big P Purpose can lead to anxiety and frustration.
Little P Purpose focuses on the process and is more attainable.
Creating purpose involves identifying what lights you up.
Community and connections are vital for happiness.
People often replace work-based purpose with similar frameworks in retirement.
Meaning is about understanding our past, while purpose is about present actions.
Happiness comes from both meaning and purpose working together.
Investing in personal passions can inspire others, especially children.
The journey to enoughness is crucial for finding true fulfillment. We often strive for external validation through accomplishments.
True fulfillment comes from understanding our identity.
Retirement should be viewed as a journey, not a destination.
Time is always more important than money.
Money is a tool, but little-p purpose moves the needle.
Many people regret not pursuing their true passions.
Success is less important than the effort and journey.
Living with purpose can lead to a peaceful end of life.
We should focus on what lights us up in life.
The concept of enough is often smaller than we think.

Sound Bites

"We need to put purpose first." "Big P Purpose is associated with anxiety." "Little P Purpose focuses on process, not goals." "You have to build and create purpose." "Purpose is a conduit to people." "Happiness is meaning and purpose together." "You can't purpose your way to enough." "Identity is based not on goals, but on actions." "Retirement is a flawed concept." "Money is a mirage."

Chapters

00:00 -Introduction to Purpose and Identity 02:31 - Jordan's Journey: From Doctor to Purpose Advocate 06:57 - The Paradox of Purpose: Anxiety vs. Fulfillment 12:39 - Big P vs. Little P Purpose: Understanding the Difference 16:31 - Creating Purpose in Retirement: The Challenge Ahead 20:52 - Building Community Through Little P Purpose 27:40 - Meaning vs. Purpose: The Journey to Enoughness 30:29 - Finding Meaning Beyond Striving 31:56 - The Challenge of Identity 34:04 - Redefining Retirement as a Journey 39:26 - The Value of Time Over Money 42:05 - The Impact of Little-P Purpose 46:27 - Regrets and Lessons from the Dying

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