Ep 456: Struggling To Find Your Purpose? This One’s For You
HerMoney with Jean Chatzky
Deep Dive
What is the difference between meaning and purpose according to Dr. Jordan Grumet?
Meaning is about the past and the stories we tell ourselves about our lives, while purpose is about the present and future, focusing on actions that bring fulfillment. Purpose is created through meaningful actions, whereas meaning is derived from our thoughts and reflections on our past.
What are 'Big P Purpose' and 'Little p Purpose' as defined by Dr. Jordan Grumet?
Big P Purpose is goal-oriented, associated with a scarcity mindset, and often leads to anxiety and disappointment due to its high fallibility. Little p Purpose is process-oriented, focuses on daily activities that bring joy, and is associated with an abundance mindset, incremental gains, and long-term happiness.
Why does Dr. Jordan Grumet suggest focusing on 'Little p Purpose' rather than 'Big P Purpose'?
Big P Purpose often involves setting lofty, hard-to-achieve goals that can lead to disappointment and anxiety. Little p Purpose, on the other hand, emphasizes enjoying the process of daily activities, making it more sustainable and fulfilling, even if the ultimate goal isn't achieved.
What tools and levers does Dr. Jordan Grumet recommend for building a life of purpose?
The tools include money, relationships, youth, energy, passions, and skills. The levers are the joy of addition (adding purposeful activities), the art of subtraction (removing tasks you loathe), and substitution (changing jobs or roles to align with your purpose).
How does Dr. Jordan Grumet suggest de-centering work to find more purpose in life?
He recommends using tools like money and relationships to reduce time spent on unfulfilling work and adding purposeful activities during free time. Additionally, subtracting tasks you dislike at work or substituting them with more enjoyable ones can help create a more balanced and purposeful life.
What is the significance of interpersonal connections in relation to purpose and happiness?
Interpersonal connections are crucial for happiness, as they provide a sense of community and belonging. Pursuing Little p Purpose often leads to these connections, as engaging in activities you love allows you to show up as your best self and build deeper relationships.
How did Dr. Jordan Grumet use the 'magic of subtraction' to find his purpose?
He subtracted tasks and roles he disliked from his medical career, such as general practice and nursing home work, and focused solely on hospice care, which he found deeply fulfilling. This process helped him clarify what truly brought him purpose and joy.
What are the three key takeaways Dr. Jordan Grumet offers for finding purpose?
First, purpose is abundant and can be found in everyday activities. Second, purpose is not something you find but something you create through meaningful actions. Third, money is just one tool among many, including time, energy, and community, that can help build a purposeful life.
How does Dr. Jordan Grumet define 'winning the game' in terms of purpose?
Winning the game means spending as much time as possible doing activities that bring joy and fulfillment, and as little time as possible on tasks you loathe. It’s about maximizing the value of your time by aligning your daily activities with your sense of purpose.
What role does the FIRE movement play in Dr. Jordan Grumet's approach to purpose?
The FIRE movement helped him understand how to use his financial independence to transition away from a job he didn’t love and focus on activities that brought him purpose. However, he emphasizes that financial independence is just one tool, and other resources like time and community are equally important.
- Purpose is about the present and future, focusing on actions.
- Meaning is about the past and our thoughts, deriving from the stories we tell ourselves.
- We don't find our purpose; we build or create it.
Shownotes Transcript