6 Clues That Help You Find Your Life Purpose

Read time: 8 minutes

When I was in college, from 18 to 22, I changed career aspirations so much that I sometimes wonder how I ended up with enough credits to graduate. And even after I landed a cool marketing job, it took another eight years to clearly define what I wanted for my life.

Now, I’m a year and a half into building my business full-time.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Most of us have no clue what we want to do with our lives. Even after we finish school. Even after we get a job. Even after we’re making money.

It’s a struggle almost every adult goes through. “What do I want to do with my life?” “What am I passionate about?” “What do I not suck at?” “Is it too late for me to pivot?”

I often receive emails from people at different stages of their journey. Some are decluttering and navigating those challenges, while others are rethinking their careers and the role work plays in their lives. But all of them, in some way, have questioned what they truly want to do.

If that sounds like you, here’s a truth you’re probably not expecting: The answer you’re looking for is likely right in front of you. Hidden among the clues. These clues won’t give you all the answers, but they’ll help you reflect on what matters most and guide you toward a more meaningful life.

The Problem With Searching For a “Life Purpose”

Part of the problem is the concept of “life purpose” itself—the idea of a singular, life-changing calling that defines our existence and shapes everything we do. But let’s be honest: this idea can be overwhelming and often carries baggage. It makes us think we’re meant to search for one big answer or mission. So we question everything we do—“Is this my purpose? Is this meaningful? Is this the right path?” It’s easy to get lost in that spiral.

Here’s a shift in perspective: We exist on this earth for a period of time, and during that time, we do things. Some of those things are important, and some are not. And those important things give our lives meaning and happiness. The unimportant ones just kill time.

So when people say, “What should I do with my life?” or “What is my life purpose?” what they’re actually saying is:

“What can I do with my time that is important?”

This is a much better question to ask. It’s more manageable and doesn’t come with all the ridiculous baggage that the “life purpose” question does.

Instead, it’s a question that invites curiosity, not pressure.

There’s no reason to be contemplating the significance of your life while driving home from work or sitting on your couch all weekend. Instead, get up, restore your child-like curiosity, and discover what feels important to you.

“But How?”

“How do I narrow down what’s important?” “How does that help me find my purpose?”

I’ve put together a series of questions—clues—to help you figure out for yourself what is important to you and what can add more meaning to your life.

These questions (clues) are not exhaustive or definitive, and the order I’m presenting them has no significance. In fact, some of them are a bit ridiculous, but I framed them this way intentionally because I think finding our purpose in life should be fun and interesting, but also introspective—not a chore.

So whether you’re looking for your dream job, thinking about starting a business, or you just don’t want to spend your entire life wondering “what if…”, hopefully, these strange—but thought-provoking—questions will help you find meaningful answers.

Let’s walk through them together.

Clue #1: What Are Your Core Values?

When people feel like they have no sense of direction, no purpose in their life, it’s because they don’t know what’s important to them, they don’t know what their values are.

And when you don’t know your values, you end up taking on other people’s priorities. You start living someone else’s version of life. This is a one-way ticket to unhealthy relationships and eventually feeling unsatisfied.

Finding your “purpose” in life boils down to identifying the handful of things that are bigger than yourself. That defines the foundation for everything else.

So, if you’re feeling lost, the first step is to think about what truly matters to you—the things you’d never compromise on.

Maybe it’s honesty, creativity, freedom, or connection. These values guide your decisions, big and small. And when you act in alignment with them, life feels more meaningful.

So, take a moment to reflect: What makes you feel fulfilled? What do you stand for, even when it’s hard?

Your values give you clarity and guide your actions as you move forward.

Clue #2: What Makes You Forget to Eat?

We’ve all had experiences where we get so wrapped up in something that minutes turn into hours and hours turn into “Oh snap! I haven’t eaten anything all day.”

I get like this when writing or editing my videos. I can sit and get lost in metaphors and perfecting my camera presence for hours instead of doing more important things like eating, sleeping, or speaking to other humans face-to-face.

But when I step back and look beyond the words in my notebook and the clips on my computer screen, I realize the common thread tying me to these activities is my passion for improvement—the drive to be good at something and then trying to get better. It’s the competition with myself that I thrive on.

And knowing this has helped me apply this idea to other areas of my life—not just my writing, the poetic metaphors, or my camera presence.

Maybe for you, it’s something else. Maybe it’s organizing things efficiently, getting lost in your art, helping others, solving problems, or having a deep conversation. Whatever it is, when you lose track of time, you’re tapping into something that matters deeply to you. It’s not about doing something for the sake of doing it—it’s about doing something that feels purposeful.

And that’s the magic of being truly engaged in something—getting so wrapped up that you forget to eat.

So, ask yourself: What activity makes me feel this way? What could I do all day without feeling tired or bored? This is a clue about where your true passion lies.

But don’t just look at the activity itself. Look beyond it and note the other clues it reveals.

Clue #3: What’s True About You Today That Would Make Your 7-Year-Old Self Jump for Joy?

As a kid, I naturally gravitated toward writing. I found it easier to express myself through the written word, so I wrote. In high school, one of my favorite classes was literature, and for some odd reason, I found joy in writing essays. In my early 20s, I discovered poetry, and I spent hours writing hundreds of poems for the sheer joy of it—plus, it was therapeutic.

And then, for some reason, I stopped. When asked why, I never really know.

We all have a tendency to lose touch with what we loved when we were younger. Something about the social pressures of adolescence and the professional pressures of young adulthood squeezes the passion out of us—especially if we’re not somehow rewarded for it. The transactional nature of the world can get in the way of many good things.

Maybe you loved drawing, exploring, or inventing things. Your 7-year-old self didn’t care about time, money, or expectations. They just knew what felt joyful.

Take a minute to reflect and reconnect with that childlike curiosity: What would make your younger self proud of you today? What passions have you lost to adulthood? How can you revisit those activities for the fun of it?—it’s not too late to reignite that spark.

Clue #4: You’re Locked Out of Your House—Where Would You Go? What Would You Do?

Here’s a fun one: Imagine you’re locked out of your house, forced to spend the whole day somewhere else—no plans, no distractions, no social media—just pure freedom.

Where do you go? What do you do?

For many of us, the enemy is good old-fashioned complacency. We fall into routines. We distract ourselves. The couch becomes comfortable. The weekends come and go. And nothing new happens.

This is a problem.

What most people don’t understand is that clarity is the result of action, not the cause of it. And finding what you’re passionate about in life requires you to go all in.

So you’re locked out of your house. Now ask yourself: How would you choose to spend your time?

And no, you can’t just sit in a coffee shop people-watching.

Would you visit a museum? Wander the city streets and admire the architecture? Join a book club? Sign up for a dance class? Teach a class? Learn to garden and cook with homegrown ingredients? Skydive? Your answer will tell you a lot about how you enjoy spending your time when there’s no “should” hanging over you. These spontaneous, authentic moments matter more than we think—and it’s important to seek more of them.

Clue #5: What Do People Ask You for Help With?

Often, we don’t realize how much we help others until we start noticing what they come to us for. People seek you out for your skills, wisdom, and talents.

What do people ask you to help with, or what do they turn to you for advice on?

This might seem obvious, but it’s a clue to your natural strengths. Whether it’s organizing, motivating others, solving problems, or offering support, these things give you insight into your purpose.

In high school and college, I was the person my friends turned to for advice. I didn’t always have the perfect answer, nor could I always relate to the situation, but I had a practical and calming way of thinking about and approaching challenges.

By embracing these natural talents—and using them to help others—you’ll find fulfillment and discover where you can add the most value.

Clue #6: If You Had Just 12 Months Left, What Would You Do?

This one’s heavy, but it’s worth asking. If you knew you only had a year to live, how would you spend it? What would you prioritize?

Would you travel, spend more time with loved ones, or finally pursue that dream you’ve been putting off? Would you let go of the things that drain your energy or focus more on the activities that light you up?

This question cuts through all the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what matters. It’s a powerful way to strip away the distractions and focus on what should be guiding your life right now. By answering it, you’ll uncover what you value most and, more importantly, how you can start living with those values at the forefront.

The Botton Line

By now, you’ve had a chance to reflect on these six questions and uncover the insights they offer. Remember, no single clue is going to give you a neat, packaged answer, but each one is a piece of the puzzle that will help you better understand what truly matters to you.

So, take some time to sit with your answers. Let them sink in. Then, ask yourself: How can I start acting on what I’ve learned?

Whether it’s changing your career, making more time for your passions, or simply focusing on what feels most meaningful—whatever it is, trust me, it’s worth the effort.

That’s all for today.

See you next Sunday.