Jordan Grumet, a hospice physician and author of The Purpose Code, shares his journey from doctor burnout to discovering authentic joy. He discusses the importance of 'little p purpose,' emphasizing that fulfillment often comes from everyday activities rather than grand aspirations. Jordan highlights the concept of 'purpose mirages' and encourages listeners to find joy in the process. He offers practical tips for self-reflection and life reviews, advocating for actionable steps toward a more meaningful life filled with personal passions.
Finding purpose doesn't require grand aspirations; it can be discovered in simple, everyday activities that bring joy.
Conducting a 'life review' helps individuals identify regrets that can guide them toward more meaningful life choices.
Engaging in the 'spaghetti method' encourages playful exploration of interests, allowing individuals to actively create their own purpose.
Deep dives
The Quest for Purpose
The episode highlights the importance of finding purpose in life, emphasizing that it can be discovered in both big and small ways. It challenges the conventional notion that purpose must be grandiose by presenting examples of individuals who find joy in simple passions, such as collecting baseball cards. Through personal anecdotes, it illustrates how purpose can emerge from experiences in childhood and the importance of nurturing those interests as adults. This perspective encourages listeners to seek purpose in everyday activities rather than waiting for a monumental realization.
The Impact of Regret
Addressing the concept of regret plays a crucial role in understanding one's purpose. The discussion suggests conducting a 'life review' to identify significant moments, decisions, and feelings of regret in life. By recognizing these regrets, individuals can better understand the actions they want to take before it's too late, thus using regret as a driving force to discover purpose anchors. This approach highlights the necessity of living intentionally and making choices that align with personal values.
Little P Purpose vs. Big P Purpose
The difference between 'little P' purpose and 'big P' purpose is explored, with little P purpose being defined as actionable, process-oriented activities that bring joy. This perspective helps to alleviate the pressure of finding a life-defining goal, suggesting instead that fulfillment can be found in daily actions and experiences. Little P purpose encourages individuals to engage in activities they love without the burden of high stakes or expectations. By focusing on what lights them up, individuals can cultivate a more fulfilling life.
Creating a Life of Purpose
Listeners are encouraged to actively create their own purpose by identifying what brings them joy and fulfillment. A method called the 'spaghetti method' is proposed, where individuals experiment with various activities to discover what resonates with them. This trial-and-error approach fosters a playful exploration of interests, allowing for the refinement of what truly brings satisfaction. Additionally, the episode stresses the importance of being proactive in shaping one’s life rather than passively waiting for inspiration.
The Art of Subtraction
A key insight is the art of subtraction, which focuses on removing unfulfilling or tedious responsibilities from one’s life. By identifying and eliminating tasks that do not bring joy, individuals can create more space for activities that greatly fulfill them. This practice emphasizes the notion that purpose can also come from decluttering one's life to prioritize joy. The conversation suggests that freeing oneself from obligations that weigh them down ultimately leads to greater overall happiness and a more purpose-driven life.
What's your purpose? Jordan Grumet thought that becoming a doctor would give his life meaning and direction... but he was wrong. He spent his days doing things he didn't really enjoy and dreaded waking up in the morning.
Finding a purpose that is authentic to you can be transformative - and it doesn't have to be some grand goal like curing a disease or founding a company. Jordan, author of The Purpose Code, explains how we can all find seemingly small and everyday activities which will fill our lives with joy and fulfillment.