What Is It and How to Find It

Meaning in life is defined as setting goals and directions for one’s life (Hill et al., 2010). For many of us, the meaning and purpose of life are one and the same. but they are slightly different. Specifically, it assumes that finding meaning in life or engaging in goal-directed behaviors is just one thing that contributes to a meaningful life.

When your life has meaning, you probably feel good about the way you live your life. You may feel that there is an ultimate reason for your actions and that you are making an important contribution to the world. This gives you a feeling of contentment and connection that can help you achieve higher levels of well-being.

The meaning of life means different things to each person. One study suggests that there are four different types of purposes (Hill et al., 2010). These types are:

• Prosocial. Defined as the tendency to help others and influence social structure

• Creative. Defined as artistic goals and a penchant for originality

• Financially. Defined as goals of financial well-being and administrative success

• Personal recognition. Defined as the desire for recognition and respect from colleagues

People vary in the extent to which they pursue each of these goals. But if that is our goal increase happiness and well-being, then the best strategy is to focus our efforts on the prosocial character of the target. In particular, get involved in projects that help others in some way and try to give back in a way that matters to you.

Although the purpose and meaning of life are not quite the same, it seems useful to also talk about the meaning of life here. The factors that make up a meaningful life include values, principles, purpose, achievement and enthusiasm (Morgan and Farsides, 2009).

• Enjoy life: Recognize the inherent value of life
• Living by principles: Have a personal philosophy that guides your life
• Aim: Have clear goals and intentions
• Performance : Setting and achieving personal goals
• enthusiasm in life: The feeling that life is exciting, interesting, or captivating

Each of these things, individually, contributes to giving more meaning to life. So ask yourself: How strong do you feel in each of these areas and what can you do to focus more on these things?

So how do you find your meaning (or goals) in life? First, it’s important to remember that you can have more than one goal. You can have a lot, and the more, the better. To start finding your goals, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What pain, injustice or problem do you really want to solve?

This question can help you discover what is truly important to you. Once you know this, set goals and intentions for how you can help solve this problem. It doesn’t have to be anything big. For example, if you really want the world to be a more beautiful place, you can start by practicing random acts of kindness in your daily life.

2. What activities give you energy?

Your answer to this question can give another clue to your life purpose, because when you are in tune with your life purpose, you feel energized and may even experience a flow state – an experience in which you are so absorbed in what you are doing that you become completely present and may even lose track of time.

3. What are you willing to sacrifice for?

The things that give meaning to our lives are usually those that are so important to us that we are willing to sacrifice other important things like free time or money. What things, people or projects are you willing to sacrifice for?

4. Who would you like to help?

The problem with happiness is that when we focus too much on ourselves and our own happiness, we are actually less happy (Ford et al., 2014). This is why it is so important to step away from your desire to find your purpose for a moment. Instead, focus on how you can help other. Are you wondering who you can help, how you can help and who you want to help? If necessary, start small – offer to help a friend, pay a compliment, bake cookies for a co-worker, or thank the seller. Figuring out how to help others in a way that is meaningful to yourself is the key to finding meaning in life.

​These seven things can contribute more to the meaning of life:

1. Social connection. Creating meaningful connections with others is a great way to bring meaning to life while promoting health and happiness.
2. Performance. ​Achieving important goals, especially focused goals, is helpful in reinforcing purpose.
3. Self-expression. It is useful to express ourselves, our feelings, our opinions and our ideas.
4. Excitement. Fun, joy and excitement make life more enjoyable and meaningful.
5. Effects. When we positively impact the lives of others, we strengthen our sense of purpose.
6. Personal growth. When we work to improve ourselves in ways that matter to us, we can strengthen our sense of purpose.
7. Acknowledgement. Admiration can allow us to feel valued and live a meaningful life.

After thinking about the goals discussed above, you may want to write a personal purpose statement or mission statement. A personal statement of purpose can help you make decisions that align with your values ​​and goals and help you stay on track.

Here are some guidelines:

1. First, think about who you are and who you want to become.
2. Clarify your most important goals. Try to think about your community-oriented goals and not your self-centered goals.
3. Identify your biggest thing To strengthen and how to apply them to your goals.
4. Think about the mark you want to leave on the world.

Finding your purpose is like finding yourself. You know who you are, what you are supposed to do and nothing can stop you from doing it. Maybe you don’t care what other people think because you’re doing something that’s so important to you that no one can convince you otherwise. And to achieve your goal, you don’t necessarily have to succeed, because the journey is more important than the destination.

Living your purpose is like following a path that is unique to you. Therefore, you may need to leave the path you are currently on. You may have to find your own way. For this reason, searching for meaning in life can be scary. Others may doubt you; Maybe you even doubt yourself. But somewhere deep inside you know what suits you and what doesn’t.

• Ford, BQ, Shallcross, AJ, Mauss, IB, Floerke, VA, & Gruber, J. (2014). Desperate for happiness: Appreciation of happiness is linked to depression symptoms and diagnosis. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(10), 890-905.
• Hill, PL, Burrow, AL, Brandenberger, JW, Lapsley, DK, & Quaranto, JC (2010). Academic goal orientation and well-being in early and middle adulthood. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 31(2), 173-179.
• Morgan, J. and Farsides, T. (2009). Measure the meaning of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10(2), 197-214.