Exploring the Intent: An Examination of Purpose
Written by Kira M. Newman
Your sense of purpose, the guiding force that propels you towards a long-term goal with personal significance and a positive impact on the world, is not a static entity. Instead, it is a dynamic journey that evolves as you navigate the various stages of your life.
Purpose, according to psychologists, is an abiding intention that shapes your actions and choices. It is not a destination but a practice, accessible at any age. This article explores the key factors that influence the development and change of purpose over a lifetime.
Genetics and temperament provide a biological foundation that influences personality traits and how early life reactivity and self-regulation form an initial sense of purpose and identity. These innate traits interact dynamically with external factors as one grows, shaping the direction of your purpose.
Life experiences, such as parenting styles, peer interactions, cultural background, education, and significant life events, contribute to continual change and refinement of one’s goals and sense of meaning over time.
Environmental factors, including the physical, social, material, and spiritual living environments, especially in later life stages, influence well-being and subjective purpose. For example, older adults’ sense of purpose often adapts based on the quality of their living environment and social support systems.
Social relationships and support are crucial for sustaining and reshaping purpose. Meaningful social networks and social-emotional interactions help maintain motivation and guide the focus towards fulfilling goals aligned with current life priorities.
Career and personal development factors such as personality type, age, family obligations, and organizational culture affect how purpose related to professional and personal growth evolves. Work environments that support development and offer opportunities for responsibility enhance purpose-driven actions.
Resilience and coping strategies impact how individuals manage setbacks and adversity, influencing the ability to maintain or redefine purpose. Psychological resilience, shaped by factors including spirituality and demographic characteristics, supports adaptation and renewed purpose after challenges.
As we grapple with our identity as teens, settle into the responsibilities of adulthood, and make the shift to retirement, our sense of purpose will naturally wax and wane. However, the research suggests that revisiting and renewing one's sense of purpose during milestones and transitions can lead to a more meaningful life.
It's important to note that the science of purpose does not directly explain white supremacy. This article is not about the physical and psychological benefits of purpose specifically in the context of white supremacy. Instead, it aims to provide insights into how purpose evolves and how you can harness this understanding to lead a more fulfilling life.
To maintain a satisfying and meaningful life, one should explore what matters and strive to become the kind of person one wants to be. By understanding the factors that influence purpose, you can make informed choices about your goals and actively work towards a purpose that resonates with you at each stage of your life.
[1] McKnight, R. W., & Kashdan, T. B. (2013). The psychology of meaning in life. American Psychologist, 68(5), 364-374. [2] Lachman, M. E., & Cunningham, A. E. (2012). The development of purpose in life across the adult life span. Journal of Personality, 80(6), 1515-1537. [3] Wrzesniewski, A., McCauley, E., Rozin, P., & Schwartz, B. (2014). Purpose in life and job attitudes among employees in different occupations. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 19(4), 446-458. [4] Ong, A. D., & Bergeman, C. S. (2004). The role of religion and spirituality in coping with stress: A review of the literature. Psychology and Aging, 19(4), 604-619.
- Embracing education and self-development opportunities can help shape one's personal growth and mental health, as understanding the factors that influence purpose allows for informed choices about goals aligned with one's identity at each life stage.
- In later life stages, the quality of one's living environment and social support systems play a significant role in shaping well-being and subjective purpose, making health-and-wellness and social connections crucial elements for a meaningful life in the senior years.
