The Purpose Project

What is the Purpose Project?

Discovering our purpose in life means asking and answering the essential question, “What makes me want to get out of bed in the morning?” Why is our answer important? Because purpose dramatically affects health, healing and happiness! 

What is Purpose?

We are born with a purpose. Some of us never question our purpose and so it remains unspoken our whole lives. Our purpose is the reason we are alive. Purpose is not a job or a role. It is a cradle-to-grave, round-the-clock unifying principle in our daily lives. Purpose is that deepest belief within us where we have a profound sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. It is the quality or thread we choose to shape our lives around. It is a source of deep meaning and vitality.

Why is Purpose Important?

Science is beginning to validate what many people have known intuitively all along. When it comes to the transitions and challenges of life, purpose is essential. Purpose gives us the will to live. Without purpose we die. With purpose we live with meaning and dignity. It is the one thing that cannot be taken away from us. Think about the will to live that empowers terminally ill people to extend their lives beyond expectation. Studies are indicating that when we believe in something larger than ourselves, we strengthen our ability to cope with transitions and change. When faced with the inevitable transitions, purpose can sustain and help us grow whole.

The Purpose Project explores Personal and Professional Paths.

Personal

• The Working On Purpose™, Living On Purpose™ and Leading On Purpose™ programs help people discover the power of purpose at all stages and phases of life. For workshop information, go to www.csh.umn.edu.

Professional

• Through the Thought Leadership Hub, conversations will be convened that will focus on a particular aspect of purpose and the implications for health, science, learning, society and the workplace.
• The Purpose Project Communities of Practice will serve as a resource for information and inspiration for facilitators, educators, coaches and others involved in purpose work.
• The leadership of the Purpose Project welcomes collaboration with other universities, community organizations, national and international institutes, cities and corporations engaged in purpose work.

Click the links at right for Purpose Project workshops and resources.