Estou passando exatamente por isso. Não sou e não quero mais ser reconhecido como um Contador. Porque sei que tenho outras habilidades, também tenho outras rendas. E mais ainda, quero fazer outras coisas sem qualquer relação com contabilidade. É difícil sair desse rótulo, eu mesmo e todos ao redor já me rotulam assim. Aos poucos estou conseguindo. Se tiver mais dicas sobre isso ou como se livrar desse rótulo. Será muito útil. Muito obrigado Derek, suas reflexões são muito úteis! ❤️

One’s passion leads one down roads you cannot see but that’s ok, enjoy the ride and put your passion in D.

But the dog has no responsibilities or tragedies. He runs and sniffs and digs with no cares, no worries. OF course he has NO plan because he NEEDS no plan.
I find I announce my intentions to make me reponsible for at least trying them. To hold myself accountable, to have witnesses. It's a fearless thing to do just as changing my direction mid-stream. These are both courageous acts.
Maybe I misread your blog.

You also have a freedom most of us do not: financial freedom. It's easier for you to take this path.

I know this is great advice. Amazing how much are mine can enable or limit us.

Love this: "There is no plot. You are not a story."

Excellent!

Hell yeah right! Setting a purpose is a great way to blinders and miss all that life has to offer (let alone what you may have to offer life) while you're watching, waiting, and wondering for that purpose to manifest/be fulfilled, etc.

Good one, Derek!

And what does a dog accomplish in life? If I had followed this advice, I never would have finished building my house. Finishing the house was my purpose-sheltering my family was my purpose- and that guided me.

If I had only worked on the parts of my house that interested me at any given moment it would never have been built and my family would still be living in a trailer. Purpose is everything. We are not dogs.

How could you not love this post? - ❤️ - Thank you, Derek!

Be the dog!

Love it.

Good stuff Derek. I haven’t tried to put this into words but yes that’s been my life journey. Find what is most exciting, do that and then do the next most exciting thing. This has led me to stop out of college and move to London at 19 (I’d rather do things than read about doing them!) build a company that did $5m in year one. Then start drilling water wells in Western Africa (who knew there would be a military coup in Nigeria in 1983?). After losing money in Nigeria going back to Amherst finished my degree and started working with bands (who knew so many good bands would come out of Seattle in the late 80’s?) stating a concert company and building it to produce over 1500 concerts around the world. Some of the artists I worked with wanted to benefit local charities so I started to get serious about fundraising. The universe had a guy call me out of the blue (Julius Genachowski) and next thing I know I’m producing fundraisers for Obama. Etc

Raja Yoga

This is a timely insight and reminder. Thank you, Derek.

Sounds like my email signature "Follow Your Bliss". Afterall, we are beings of light having a physical experience. Light goes all over the place, bounces of the walls and refracts and ends up illuminating all sort of things you might not have expected in the first place. If you bliss changes, go with it. Dont hold yourself back to what used to be your bliss... =) Change is the only constant! Happy 4th of July everyone! <3

Sometimes your passions align and become your purpose. Having a sense of purpose feels good and can inform decisions when one gets mixed up about priorities. Purpose and meaning are close cousins, so I wouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water, but I agree that purpose needs to derive from existing passions.

Love it and what a great way to make it relatable. The dog and Derek Sivers live in the moment and does what interests them.

This blog inspired me to write the following couplet:

Let now be your compass,
You do not need a purpose.

Thank you for sharing your writings. I like the way they all make me think a little harder.

Woof woof woof woof

I enjoyed the post. For me the message is not do not have a plan, or do not care about your goals - the post is proposing do not "lock" your self in " to a direction, do allow your self freedom to move. We always have control over our direction, do not allow your purpose to blind you to new directions and alternative paths. And do not forget to enjoy the path you are on :)

"Do whatever interests you now, no matter how uncharacteristic."
I put that one on my computer desk!
Thanks :-)

Exactly! I want to try so many things, and I've found a career that let's me. I have a title, but I also get to learn a lot about a lot. I don't like to get pigeon-holed into one thing only. I may have never quite fit in growing up, but I feel it makes it so I'm able to talk to anyone anywhere.

Yes, I've seen the "social need to be congruent" lead to some ugly and unnecessary ends where beautiful possibilities could not be realized because parties had published their narratives too soon.

I agree and I disagree a bit here. While I do believe I have an overall purpose that colors my life, I think you really pointing to the misconception that my job, career, role in life, marriage, church, kids, etc is my purpose. Those things are all wonderful, meaningful things. They may point toward my purpose, but they themselves are not the terminal conclusion. What I do hear loud and clear in this essay is it is perfectly ok to be "A little County and a little Rock N Roll." I'm a mother, business owner, wife, healer and I learned to play the drums last year at age 41. I took up a completely different hobby simply because I wanted something fun that fascinated me and spoke to my soul during an especially stressful time. Devoting the time to practicing on a drum pad felt extravagent in the most hectic time I can ever remember. Spending money on each lesson was a true sacrifice and I loved it! And I felt like a badass when 8 months later I played the song Right Place Wrong Time for a recital. My instructor made it a point to really encourage me to do the recital because most adult students won't perform at the recital and he feels it's important for young kids to see an adult learning something new. Thought provoking as ever!

SOSO SOSO true! Thanks for sharing1

This is why North Star is a leaky metaphor

Not adding labels to myself is something I've been trying to practice nowadays. This is yet another reminder that it applies to many other things. Thanks for posting, Derek!

Flow and live. Reject the narrative of needed direction that curtails spontaneous growth and happiness. This is far too often the reality of the day in modern times. We fear the flow as it is not purposeful enough. Therein lies the entire point. Be purposeful in a direction if you must but be free to be less purposeful in equal measure to grown new ideas, feelings and experiences.

I personally don’t feel the need to be congruent. Or to be compared to a dog. Imho they are the superior being to us mere humans. Their passion is purely the moment they are in. Their purpose is to be. They give all they can to us unconditionally. Why? Because that is part of their purpose. I personally feel as part of our alleged evolution we have lost some basic instincts our canine earthlings have not. We have become competitive and lost the ability to recognise when we have enough. We no longer see the definition of want and need. Societal shifts have lost vocation in exchange for remuneration. We have lost the ability or will to be part of a cooperative society. It is extremely sad. As you may well remember or not. It is my personal opinion we need to be balanced as extremeness tips the scales and the outcome is seldom good. Sorry Derek I have gone off like a two bob watch. 🤦. The task at hand at night should be to get enough sleep and rest to live in the next days moments completely. What we do is what becomes our story along with maybe photographs. That is the ultimate we can achieve to become photographs and memories to those we leave behind. So we should leave positive ones to make them smile. It’s very unlikely you will fix any big stuff 🙄. You can fix lots of little stuff in your own circle and pay it forward without agenda or expectation. YNWA.

One of the interesting things with identifying with an anime girl is that you realize that TV time is different than real people time, which means that you're trying to go as fast as tv show character as a real person.

The 'you are not a story' hit me hard, because of that, and my recent stay in a behavioral health facility.

Treating yourself like a hunting dog is great for exploration, it's a fine way to live, as long as you have a strong foundation. I want to be more like this- willing to ignore my sunk costs, chase after the frisbee like a dog.

I never thought I would say I wanted to be more like a dog, as I have always been a cat person, but I want to be more like a dog, sometimes.

Yeah, I'm having trouble following this advice. I'd love to go/do whatever my heart desires, but without a paycheck, that's not possible. And what little time I have to myself, I try to spend toward making music, which is my passion. Not that I'm not passionate about travelling, but that takes me back to the whole paycheck thing...

This did strike home. As someone with a strong Evangelical fundamentalist upbringing, this idea of having a purpose in life was drilled into me. But I was always at odds with it as I could never really wrap a thread around my ideas and passions. Perhaps we’re not a story, or perhaps we are a story in the making, but we can only see the narrative in retrospect. This level of self-awareness is a hindrance that ironically derails us from achieving our true life purpose, which is to be true to ourselves.

I needed that. An excellent point, simply stated.

So many musicians got derailed during this pandemic and subsequently feel a bit lost, because there's a need to restart - which isn't always a matter of just picking up where you left off. Sometimes it's a new search for relevancy. Disdain for some, opportunity for others which can leave you in a state of "What do I do now?"

Again, an excellent point, simply stated.

Thank you, Derek!

I LOVE this!! I mean, you always inspire me but this really hits home. Thank you!!

This may be my favorite post of yours ever, Derek.
I've often felt guilty for pursuing interests seemingly unaligned to my "story."
Thanks for the permission to enjoy this part of my brief journey.

Thinking of your "Don't be a donkey" post. What if instead of choosing between a pile of hay and a bucket of water, the donkey was choosing whether to head north-east or south-west?

My current fear is not committing to a direction long enough for it to blossom into something great.

Very interesting, Derek. I must ponder this awhile.

Love Derek, and love these posts.

That being said, this feels more like semantics to me. I'm not sure there are really a ton of people being held back by their stated purpose. Maybe, but unlikely.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

Hey Derek,

It's your old buddy, Snothead, from Chicago (CHAT) 20 something years ago.

I moved out to Los Angeles a year or so after we met (heading west, according to my GPS tracker). I came out to pursue being a Music Producer and to create music for commercials, film and TV.

Long story short, after trying for a couple of years, struggling financially, and not seeing much revenue coming in, I gave up on my lifelong dream of "doing music for a living."

Since then, I have worked as a Recruiter, a Digital Marketing Consultant, and doing business development work. I've done ok with those things, but I feel like I abandoned my dream and have regrets about that.

I would still like to be "doing music for a living," but I need to pay my bills.

Don't give up on your dreams. That's my advice to anyone reading this. You might still have to work another job while you are pursuing your dreams, but never give up. Ever.

A successful guest speaker at our church told us how people keep asking him questions like "Are you a pastor? Are you an evangelist? What are you?"
He responded, "I don't know. I just do the work."

Making statements out loud, to social segments, can be great for accountability and highly useful when it's along the lines of quitting a bad habit but perhaps less so when starting a good new habit.

Such 'bold statements' can indeed prove self-limiting when they prevent us from exploring a new(er) thing, perhaps a new new habit that may be even better for us that than other new habit we were so passionate about just a few weeks ago.

Don't fence me in... also, note to self; don't fence myself in

The last two sentences are well well-conceived.
The whole thing is good & right, at the same time. :)

I always expect quality output from you, Derek.

Brian

Yes I do like it and yes I’ve always been this way. No purpose seeking. Living in the moment open to incomingness, creative unminded flow. Purpose I feel can come from conditioning. But hey I do resonate Mr Sivers and thank you for sending me this. Many blessings 🙏🕊️

# no plot!

Don't be silly Derek, there's a clear path from me awkwardly asking from a warship email to meet you and "pick your brain" *shudder* around the Kaikoura quake, then finally finishing my community college AA in music recording, then considering your thoughts on Berklee and transferring to an ivy for computer science, then switching to theater while also researching m&a opportunities, sales, ai and python. Yes,mmmyes, a very obvious trajectory of purpose, I'm sure you'll agree.

OMG I needed to hear this today. Thank you so much! I get way too sidetracked by passion and purpose.

Yesterday is a memory

Tomorrow is a possibility

Today is the only time to be present

Live in the moment

Now

good post, stellar comments, nice dog. everybody's correct.

had to look up the word congruent. apparently means harmony. couldn't translate hugo's comment, but it's probably well-contrived.

ciao.

Hi!

What a great approach to take. We’re constantly told to find our purpose or asked what’s our passion. I never have an answer and thought that since I didn’t, I didn’t know what it was. In the meantime I’m constantly doing things, from photography, to writing, to whatever piqued my interest.

Right on Derek. The journey always outweighs the destination. You just verified that in another way. Thanks. Onward and upward...Joey

Haha. What an excellent analogy. It feels so much more natural to operate this way. Thanks, Derek.

This post reminds me of a similar post that I wrote, called "Stop Trying to Find Your Purpose."

https://www.tommyacierno.com/blog/2023/4/10/stop-trying-to-find-your-purpose

Love this!

Amen! The only purpose to which I have ever considered we might be bound is biological since at our most basic, we exist to perpetuate our genetic material. I find any other purpose a dawdle or a serious desire to help justify existence as more than an animal.

I have and do set goals, set plans to achieve them, and volunteer abundantly in my community. I have done and do these things for my own pleasure and to increase the likelihood of my survival and comfort. These are not purposes, though I am sure many may think otherwise.

Adorable!

I totally resonate with this! I was just recently asked to come with with a vision for my career (again) and I (again) am drawing a blank. This expresses my feelings almost exactly.

Reminds me of this one from Jason Fried:
https://m.signalvnoise.com/ive-never-had-a-goal

Focus is what I struggle with. I try to remember from... https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/amp-up-frank-slootman/

What is too much and what is too little focus? Do you ever even discuss this? Most teams are not focused enough. I rarely encountered a team that employed too narrow an aperture. It goes against our human grain. People like to boil oceans. Just knowing that can be to your advantage."

Many people and organizations are focused a mile wide and an inch deep. It can’t be a surprise when they progress at snails pace. Log jams get broken when you sift through the reams of activities and you create fewer and clearer objectives. Do less, at a time. I've often felt that providence moves, too, when you un-clutter priorities. Like an Invisible Hand, all of a sudden things are on the move.

Love it.

The more we use the mind triny to get somewhere, the harder it gets.
Trying to figure out how to behave this way and out perform.

My thoughts exactly!!! Funny thing, Derek, I've been like this all my life without knowing it. I've always 'done' whatever interested me...from Medical Social worker to professional background singer/songwriter/producer to Author, Watercolor/mixed media Artist, Computer Graphics/video Artist while being a lifetime college student...now taking online courses forever!

Thanks for the website info in your last letter. I'm pursuing that now. I built my own website, about 24years ago, using HTML and Dreamweaver during an SMC online course. Last year my host, Network Solutions, doubled the rate and I discontinued my services. Your information came at the perfect time. Which is the way my life has always been. Changes happen at the right time and I just flow right into the opportunity. Your doggie story revealed part of the blueprint of my life! Hmmmmm...

Good one. Simple and to the point. Follow your nose!
paul

Some politicians are like that dog, all over the place seeing what will stick

poignant!

Love this. It feels natural to do, then look back and connect the dots.

Thank you, Derek.
It was exactly what I needed to hear.

I closed my business and have been doing silly drawings on Instagram with zero idea of where it is going to lead me.

www.instagram.com/bejinha

If you have any other tips, or suggestions, please let me know.

Thank you, Derek. It made my day.

I try to always only announce things I've done once they're complete and ready for others to experience what I created, but never announce before I've completed it.

This is exactly what I needed to read today. No need to force myself into a story. Stay interested. Thanks Derek!

you cannot try to be, to Be

I absolutely love this. It mirrors my belief that we should be pulled through life by our belly button. Not heart, not head, belly button.

I guess the message is: BE in the moment?

I like this: “There is no plot. You are not a story.”
If I’ll rewrite the last sentence, I’ll write it as: “You are not just a story”. Often times, the meaning we give to things are based on the story we tell ourselves about those things. A story. Meanwhile, we are a collection of many stories. The one you told yourself while going north-east. The one you told yourself midway. The one you are telling yourself as you now go south-west. Several stories. Not just one.

To clarify for others: I think when Derek says "do what interests you right now", then that _could_ be to work towards a vision or goal you have for your life which can take a while to complete. (Sometimes called "purpose".)

The key here is in the intent... you do what you do from an inner force of play in the now, not from an outward suffocating pressure.

The journey is the way.

I like having a focus, direction or purpose. It helps me prioritize things when life gets busy and moves me a step at a time towards what I want to accomplish. That doesn't mean it's the only thing I spend my time on. I try to add in time to play, learn and explore. I am not always successful with that balance, but I'm getting there. And…I review my goals or purpose at least once a year to see if things have changed or need to be updated. It's helped me move forward in amazing ways.

Thanks, Derek. This is timely for me.

Love this. Focus on the moment, don't force yourself to define why you are interested, do your best work.

Also, the message is not to play all day and shirk all responsibility. It's to not waste time defining and publicizing why something fires you up. Just embrace it and bring your best to the world.

This is literally the polar opposite of what we / I have been told my whole life. Christians, scholars, and writers have books and speeches about "a purpose driven life". Also, psychiatrists and psychologists have stated that the #1 reason why people commit suicide, is because they feel as if they have no place or PURPOSE on this planet. Plus, let's remember that you (Derek) are a multi-millionaire who never has to work again. So, I get the point that you're trying to make here, but it sounds like you're disconnected from reality. You have been so rich, for so long… and whatever you want to do, you can afford to do it. So, you telling people to just run around in the wilderness like a dog reminds me… People who have privilege don't see it. I want you to go up to a McDonald's employee and tell them "You don't need a purpose in life. Just go out there and play around in the field like a dog". Let's see what type of response you get. Your reality is not THEIR / OUR reality, Derek. We are not dogs. We are human beings. We have jobs. We have bills to pay. We are not sitting on $20m+ like you. If you want me to act like a dog with no purpose, send me $1 mill and I'll do just that. Otherwise, take a step back and recognize your privilege. – Makell Bird from Maktown Media.

Good post! It seems that some people are taking your article as arguing for the fun side of a fun/responsibility dichotomy. My read, however, is that the real encouragement is to be as fully embodied in the present as you can be. In a given moment you might be having fun. On the other hand if you’re hungry or wet you’ll be pretty darn motivated to find food or shelter. You seem to be arguing against an overly cognitive story about purpose.

LOVE this...makes so much sense. I'm turning off my purpose and will roam.
thank you, Derek

thanks derek

So hard to learn, or rather, the directed life is so hard to unlearn. In my youth I chose a path, because we were supposed to. My direction became "photojournalist" because that's what I wanted to Be. But I was seventeen, I had no clue about being. I thought I wanted direction and definition. When that dream was shattered, I felt like my "calling" was lost to me. So I did what was expedient. Now, at sixty, I no longer feel the need to do what "pays the bills" and it seems too late for a "calling". Lately, I follow my interests. It is very unnerving to some around me. I no longer stay in my little box.

Yeah! Romp! Be free! Who cares if the runt of the litter can't keep up and gets eaten by a wolf! There's no purpose or story! Eat, drink, be merry! Pee into the wind!

Nice insight!!!

Love this Derek!

Hi, I hardly ever comment or react to posts. But this one I find worth responding to. Original thought and inspiring point of view.
Thanks

I liked this. Nicely insightful. When I got to the end I felt relieved because it wasn't yet another, do this do that and you/your life/your(mental)health will all improve through a sort of
meta-awareness of one's choices as a result of being deliberately decisive. I like how you cleverly included the concept of whichever choice you make or direction you find yourself on, it's precisely where you're meant to be. It's fine for life to unfurl, purely dependent on the randomness of the way the wind blows... In this day and age of access to lots of info and having a myriad of choices, we can fool ourselves into thinking the one we contemplate and deliberately choose is therefore the 'right' one based on the info we have. Whereas living life teaches us that there are so many outcomes and not all of them can be foreseen. Not making a random choice or a conscious choice or not making a choice at all, can also result in a life well lived.

That seems the opposite of what most people will say about goals. I can always rely on you for a different perspective.

yes. thanks Derek. I keep coming back to this myself, again and again. be here now- is it!!!

If a person is within the North-East where they know is their passion/purpose but then life happens and pushes them to the South-West would you say they weren't careful enough?
You know one thing I have seen about life is that We do not choose our end.

If I knew where I was going, how could I be led?

Yes, connect with others and do good at every opportunity.

I think you are assuming that a purpose is something very limited. A purpose could be "to be open to possibilities" or "to notice ways to help others" or "to find peace and enjoy life" or "to be an advocate for a cause".

Having a purpose does not require that nothing else matters to you or that no time is available for other activities. A purpose isn't a rule, it's something that you want to include in your life. And you can have more than one purpose. All of the ones I listed above are part of my life path.

I have never chosen a particular career as a purpose. I have had several careers while living a life of purpose in those other ways.

It's your life. Try to make it a life that feels right for you.

Well, your words came along at just the right moment. Thank you. I do think that there are people who « know their Purpose in life, » but I think the happiest among them live it following their passion in the moments, trusting that it serves what their bigger Purpose is. In short; they create their story as they go along rather than trying to fit a pre-written one. After so far being « unsuccessful » at fulfilling what I thought/hoped my Purpose was, I find myself in a place of surrendering more to « doing what interests me now, » as you put it - working to make that fulfilling as opposed to waiting til I’m « living my Purpose » to be fulfilled. Rock on, dude - and Thank You.

Love it! Thankyou 😊

So funny how things are right on time, like this post.
Thank you Derek, it's a bit scary to channel your inner wandering dog, even though it's rarely disappointed when I've had the courage to do it.

>> Do that fascinating task, no matter how uncharacteristic

Agreed. Be #disruptive

And yet, do not fear purpose. Dream dreams and pursue your Vision. The side steps are often necessary.

Once we accomplish a thing or three, then seek balance. But not until you are pleased with your efforts.

—ski

Wow, I never thought of it from this perspective ! But this is great and I know it will ease my mind :) Thanks Derek for always thinking out of the box, and also for making us think differently :)

Somehow you keep finding ways to share really useful insights in fewer and fewer words. Thank you for helping influence the world with your thoughts and ideas.

I think writers in the LinkedIn environment are writing about purpose because they are accurately picking up that there is a lack of it. I have personally found myself knee deep in cross purposes, especially with technology, when working in a company, where I’m something of a cog, or when responding to gig opportunities more than creating them. Of course we should pursue our passion and purpose more like that dog. But we are human, we are group animals, and can get easily into the orbit of someone else’s purpose. Writers on LinkedIn are trying to make it as writers or content providers. I think it helps to try to ponder who might be behind the yellow curtain. Lotta people out there trying to make a buck, including tech companies. Real Research and Development is not always a priority, especially when there is larger market traction. I say don’t unwittingly be a part of someone else’s plan. And yes, purpose can be sort of a conversation starter.

What am I then?

Couldn't agree more!

The question remains though.

Because if work doesn't give you this flow, or even if it DOES give you this flow, but only when you're actually doing it, while a big part of you resists this work whatever it is, and however fun and flow-inducing the work is, perhaps there IS a more shiny object in front of you that can be called a better purpose?

I think I may be a bit different than many others, or maybe not, but thing is I KNOW I like to work, generally, I can make myself like a lot of things, but I still detest having to do it, getting myself to actually do.

What then, about purpose? Is it so that we are doomed to have inner resistance, even for the things we actually do like?

Just what I needed to read today!! Thank you! Absolutely spot on! My 'purpose' has changed often, very often! I've dug, sniffed, wandered, thought I was totally lost and I'm finally starting to see that I'm going in the exact direction i'm meant to be going.. Wherever that may be.

‘There is no plot. You’re not a story.’ This is a next level insight. Thank you Derek Sivers.

This one really hit home for me. I’m currently ‘living the dream’, both subjectivity and in the eyes of those I seek to serve, but there is always this nagging voice in my head. The voice says ‘but are you achieving your true purpose?’

It’s time to say ‘hey voice in head, you be quiet!’

No story, no I, just presence.

Hi Derek,

You are a great thinker and always very insightful!

Thanks for sharing your sparkling thoughts.

Best,
Gong Qian

Derek,

Thought provoking and interesting!

Interesting to see how many people read this as conditional to accomplishing nothing. Far from the truth I think. I took this to mean that our interests, pursuits, and lives wander a bit, even if viewed from far enough away, follow a general trajectory. That feels human and true to me. Thank you, Derek!

Well Derek,

In so many ways, I would agree. I've lived my life in this way. But now, after many years of sniffing trees and putting my snout down rabbit holes, I'm running out of money and I don't want to adapt my life by making it smaller. I know what I really want now, and it will cost more money- but I can't stick to anything long enough to complete and make it pay because I'm always onto the next thing.

Could having the aim to make money be considered stating to go North East? Should I keep sniffing trees trusting that something will show up?

How do you marry up an explorer's path with the very real need to finance it? It's a dichotomy I have so far failed to figure out. And maybe you're the wrong person to answer. Either way, I'd like to hear your answer.

Many thanks

I think we all like a number of things, and have, what we believe, is a passion for many of them. "Passion" by definition is a strong and barely controllable emotion, which is beyond lust or desire. I would love to play piano, but I don't possess the barely controllable urge to practice and practice until I get it right. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys had that urge. It's funny, though, how many musicians believed that mastering their instrument was the only thing to do in life until they accomplished it. Then too many, such as David Crosby, found that cocaine had more attraction than remaining an accomplished musician. The principal applies to men chasing women with a passion, but after catching the intended target, the passion too often wanes and another target must be selected to pump up the passion, as defined by most people. Whatever on earth that is pursued with passion may be temporarily satisfying, but this too shall pass. I find that helping others takes my mind off of fruitless pursuits, and it leaves me with a sense of purpose that doesn't go away.

Some of you who would like to choose to be the carefree dog may be forgetting a key component. Though maybe they are "smart" the animal is not a human. We have the power to control what we think about. This trait is what separates us from the animals. At times, I have to remind myself of this invaluable characteristic. We are not the gazillions of thoughts our brain constantly spews out.
Rather, we are the observer of these random, reckless bullets. You want to be happy? Focus on: activities that enjoy (like the 41 yr old new drummer in this group!); besides activities, focus on memories that make your heart smile. (maybe they can lead to new activities that do the same!) Sad or bad thoughts? REject them by CONTROLLING your brain.

Love this post…. So true about flow and being in the moment vs giving some narrative on purpose; more of an explanation of both the past and future to self and others. Really appreciate how you articulated this and for the insight. It resonated with me!

Excellent post, as always Derek. I turned 50 a couple years ago and suddenly started trying to make sense of the previous 30 years of work and life as a grown up. While searching for a common thread to somehow tie it all together in a neat package I because frustrated trying to find meaning in what I had done with my life so far. Then I realized that my life should not be defined by bullet points on my resume. I stopped lining up online courses to create some perfect mix of skills to serve a specific need in the marketplace. My continuing education is divided in half. First, skills I need to learn right now to solve a specific problem for my current employer. The second half is whatever I find interesting right now regardless of how it serves my employer or if it's marketable at all. I'm also working to create space in my free time for creative pursuits in art and music. I found the time by breaking up with my TV. While touring Carl Sandburg's home recently in North Carolina and seeing his collection of thousands of books while learning more about his amazing life we realized that his life was mostly before cable television and the Internet were part of the world. We're looking forward to this more interesting and satisfying chapter of our lives. We're gonna channel being the dog from your example. Thanks again for the post! =)

Perfectly stated, perfectly timed!

This is a perfect example of why your work fascinates me!!

Great insight. I think you have identified and weakened the walls of a prison. There are so many! Self restriction by labels must be one of the biggest. Thanks for pointing it out!

Wonderful. Sets me at ease.

Thank you Derek, this is exactly what I needed to read right now :)

AMEN! Again, Jesus, f..ing Christ!

Definitely food for thought. Something new is stirring down deep!!
Thanks Derek

Let me begin by telling you a story... ;) We construct stories because stories are a compelling format to communicate something. Stories sell and we are constantly selling. Selling a product or service, selling ourselves to get a job, selling an image of ourselves to others. We do that to be appreciated (a basic human need), among other reasons.

Just what I needed to read today. Thank you :)

The Waking
BY THEODORE ROETHKE

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

Heard a great comment by someone I can't remember, that was along the lines of don't follow your passion, take your passion with you everywhere you go. That feels like the dog. he does everything 100%, is fully in it, and that is where his joy comes from!

If you take your passion with you, you can go anywhere!

The reality for most people is more nuanced. Short term needs rate above longer term goals for most. We are not all the same either. Some are more task oriented than people oriented but often in the rush of the day we don't think about much of that. I have been working in hospitality business part time and every interaction is a potential win ( or not.) Many overall connections add up to a larger story but most of the time there is no over thinking involved :)

Sivers...yous always makes mes thinks!

Best dog photo ever.

... accompanied by thought-provoking radness, of course :-)

Exactly right!! Most everyone falls into the step over a dollar to pick up a dime mentality but with their life. They miss so much of the great stuff all day long because they are living with the blinders on. They can only see a preconceived expectation society has placed or one they placed on themselves. Much easier and better to receive what life gives you instead of chasing things. And the number of experiences is a hundred times more. Imagine what it takes for the universe to bring you a bowl of soup.

Appreciated this! It inspired me to complete a small project I'd been wanting to do for a while, but couldn't justify to myself as part of my larger objectives. It felt great to give myself permission to just do it.

I guess finding that task at hand that fills our mind, while also supporting and raising a family is the trick. Survival is number one, finding those tasks and interests that also allow is to survive is what stumps many of us, myself included.

I think as long as you can cover your basic needs financially it really frees you up to be able to pursue the things that are exciting and fun, regardless of the financial reward.

Someone commented that you have luxury that most people do not, yes that is true. That's because you spent your time early in life working on a project that served more people than yourself, CD baby.

Late nights, early mornings, and Now you're afforded the luxury of pursuing things for enjoyments sake and not for a paycheck.

I enjoyed this thought because so many people want a clear path laid out for them rather than just heading off in a direction and finding enjoyment along the way.

Hello Derek,

Thank you for this.

Both timely and insightful for this reader.

Appreciate you putting the work in and consistently turning up.

Hope you and yours are well.


Thanks again,

Greg

Oh I like this very much. I have a hard time defining my passion and purpose in life. A nice feeling to know I don’t need to fit in the social norms at all times. It’s fine just who and how I am. Thank you, Derek.

Just go with the flow. I've always liked that approach.

Purpose is a bit strong I think, unless you are in the movie the Jerk you probably don’t need a special purpose, but you will hopefully have a passion, set goals and enjoy the steps to reach some accomplishment. Purpose to me is more like something demanded of you by the gods and it shall be done.

The irony of this is that I've been told that I should have a bunch of reality show cameras following me around, by more than one person. I've always asked why and the response is you lead an interesting life. Oddly enough, I find myself to be fairly boring - I don't find myself to be a plot or story.

Obviously it's all perspective.

Because despite reality TV supposedly being unscripted, anyone who knows what truly goes on behind the scenes knows that's extremely far from the truth.

Wow! Just Wow!

This is the wisest thing I've ever read on this topic. And really really relevant to me right now.

Thanks so much!

Well said Derek. Up there with “be a goldfish.”

Super cool thread of a mindful experience with the happiness of your thoughts...

Work is gift of our fortune of sharing ideas for our hopefully successful efforts..

This thread is pretty awesome Dude.. one of the coolest thing is how to invite the creativity for thoughts of a welcome idea for discussion..

Digesting the opening words of the thread..

Sometimes I get so involved in doing something that I absolutely love -- no matter the obstacles and setbacks I encounter -- it never occurs to me that I'm actually immersed in "following my passion".

Thank you Derek, this is another inspiring thing from you.

Keep posting!

Alec,

Tel Aviv

Oh! I loved it. I have been traaying to found my purpose and passion in order to get better in those areas and found a job. It's not working. I must reflect (debo reflexionar).

thank you for your email Derek! reading this before bed. I like the analogy and the example that you used, brilliant :)

Have a great weekend!

A very fun writing! But it seems you are in conflict with it. Didn't you state that put restrictions against living in the US because of a "plan"? Shouldn't you be a dog and come sniff in the America if you feel like it?

America is the heart of where liberty based thinking was most successful, although the erosion of that is self evident.

At such a time in human history I can't fathom leaving the possibility of American off the table. Sometimes the limitation of a place is not the place itself, but the persons choices in relation to it.

And lastly, comfort is never a bad thing, it frequently allows us to focus harder on wghat is important.

I was walking my buddy's dog up a beautiful ski hill and the canine instincts are quite amazing.. the pooch spotted a deer across the mountain on the adjacent ski run.. I was pretty fast back in the day.. and he got all tenacious... We have a great relationship with these canine species.. totally agree with the idea of a gps tracker..

The is very good at attempting the predator hunting.. Derek, remember our basset hounds of the days.. they would dig out a hole under the fence and start wandering around the town..

They were probably bored of chasing the squirrels and somehow Cleo could snag a bird.


Evolution of the beauty of existence..

I totally love working on different systems.. of the creation of another coder solutions..

I almost lost my girlfriends dog in Moab one time...

She saw me packing up the campsite and was a bad Ass little explorer..

We both have a communication energy of intent..

She didn't want to talk to me anymore and she took off!

Responsibility for your efforts of travel become quite practical for the outcome of the pack..

I wasn't going home without her..

Hence the tracking chip... How could you do that with out having cell service.. my guess would be to create a short wave magnetic impulse wave that would grow larger from the distance..

Sounds good now.. Awesome thoughts.. create a happiness of realization.. and I like to beverage up if I am hanging out..

All critique of creativity are invited to the party!! Stay Beautiful...

some people say
just like w water, plow where it goes

but some others say
water just plow to lower place :-)

some people say
be yourselp
some people say, dont
be some one better than you :-)

some people say
pollow your passion
some people say, dont
lipe is about "responsibility" which in some cases more than just a passion
:-)

happy id nice weekend
por some op us prom indonesie, thiw week is long weekend, 5 days opp works

As a dog, I would have some trouble deciding what I wanted out of life.

As a human, I can change my mind according to my passion and state that it is whatever purpose I desire.

And I can wax eloquent on my blog and people may think I am wise.

Dogs rule.

Human too.

Sounds like you’re living in the now 🙂 Or maybe that’s just what I want to hear. 🤔

Thank you for sharing this!

You put into words what I have come to sit with as I started sharing online. Do I talk about law, do I talk about this or that.

I decided to do what you wrote: follow the scents, do, have fun and share what I want. And...change if it's not feeling right.

I have been resisting it and then realized during an ayhuasca retreat in Peru it's selfish not to share.

You're post resonates with with me so much.

Much appreciated 🙏

Best. Post. Ever.
Thank you.

This topic seems to have caused quite a debate. It’s ok to enjoy what you’re doing. If you’re on a journey you can stop and enjoy the scenery. If you decide the destination has changed, that’s cool. Some of you will have a passion, some a purpose. Some will just meander. Whatever, that’s fine for you. You don’t HAVE to have a purpose, a passion, don’t force it for the sake of it. Just be what you are and do what you do. 👍🏻 to @28 Laurence - never expected to see ynwa on a Derek post!

Sometimes my long-term thinking rational brain may give myself purpose or passion in order to guide me to something I want without having my short-term primal brain driving me. Living by the short-term brain will lead to long-term difficulties.

A phrase I like:
Making the hard choices leads to an easy life.
Making the easy choices leads to a hard life.

Well, I really needed this today. Simple and brilliant. As always, thank you!

This is so relevant. Many of us are stuck on finding that specific purpose for our lives and, for me, it has led to feelings of restlessness, confusion, and even depression - I believed that my life had no meaning until I found my purpose. But life can be meaningful even without choosing a purpose and trying to follow it. Values are different. Reading some of the comments, I think people are confusing values with purpose. We can align our actions with our values (such providing for your children if one of your values is family) without centering our lives around it as we would do if it was our life's purpose.

As always Derek, a thought-provoking piece. I'm getting a strong HOW TO LIVE vibe here. Loved that book. "27 conflicting answers" which are "not quite non-fiction, not quite self-help."

I especially love that there is a comments section to your blog. I felt very conflicted after reading the essay, reading some comments helped me understand where that conflict originated in myself.

I see the dog in this vignette as either a person who is still searching to define their values....or as someone who has found them and is chasing activities which align with them. From the outside, the behaviours might seem the same, but the motivations are very different.

Personal values are our moral compass and if we say YES to doing things which align with these it is far more satisfying than to try to make our life into a story. Chasing our values will make our story meaningful, but more importantly we will be acting in congruence with them, leading to a fulfilled life. Knowing our values gives us the clarity when responding to opportunities:

-- Yes,
-- No, or
-- Not Yet.


As a child, I was obsessed with dates and times and recording what I did when. The idea was to be able to plot out my life to make it easy for a biographer to go through when I would invariably become famous for my music and people would want to write about my life. I wasn't self-obsessed, I was just trying to make it easy for them.

No, I am not famous, and I have no idea where that date obsession came from... perhaps it was reading books about the Beatles or something.... I don't play a whole lot of music now, I mainly do photography. Still creative, just a different perspective.

This year an epiphany came when I was analysing my old date-stamping obsession and trying to understand if it was aligned with a value I'd had or if it was random. I think the realisation is valuable and related to this idea of chasing a narrative:

-- Fans are focused on their heroes and the minute detail of their hero's life.
-- Heroes are focused on their art, their work, fulfilling their values, and are always moving on to the next thing they see needing be done.
-- A hero's story is always curated and told by somebody else.

Live this! I recently started writing and I havent loved doing anything in so long I can’t remember. I dont care if its my purpose or not, but i know if i love it i should keep doing it. But i cant help my mind creating a storytelling narrative about how probably this was my purpose all along - crazy how this instinct to connect facts and create a narrative is so strong. Reminds me of those slipt brains tests that people create a narrative about something that the other hemisphere did 😂

Right on point.

I built a life like this. For a long time I felt like a failure, and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Like a sailboat. You can point a whole bunch of directions and still get where you’re going.

The sooner we stop being the story and become a part of it the better the world will interact together. Without exploration we will miss the answers to what we don't even know we are seeking.

Short and to the point. Nice. Got something out of it. Blowing away or popping those buzz words is really a mental lift up.

I totally agree with Jeannette in comment #3.

“There is no plot. You are not a story.“ - man I just freakin ADORE that right there!!!

Another great article Derek. I have found that once I get started with a project I find it hard to stop.

Hi Derek,

That is one cool little doggy,

Love ya Derek, keep on, keepin' on my friend...

Love ya, skweeze ya,

J x

I love it! Thanks Derek!

I enjoyed reading the variety of comments so far. Many resonated and some come down on the side of purpose. I agree that our existence itself transcends “story,” but also needs to include it as well. The post definitely had the feel of “if a dog could type a post in the middle of the woods…” this would be it.

First, This dog is SOOOOO frickin cute :) !
I captured a bit of this article and wrote the following in my journal:
..."Don't seek a story or purpose to guide or label your facinations.
Focus on the facinating task, no matter how uncharacteristic.
REFUSE to assign yourself a purpose!!
You are no plot.
You are not a story." ....
EPIC...I refuse to assign myself a purpose! :) . Ready to focus on my facinations!

Task requires a qualifying prefix. Your use of the word ‘fascinating’ suffices. If the task doesn’t have any fascination then I suppose it lacks purpose.
I suggest that purpose is a word that could be used in certain contexts.

Thank you for posting this.
Needed it today.

Take care.

People’s opinion do matter, but ignore the grey….
Go where the fun takes you, and enjoy the play !

Indeed there is no purpose to life. The purpose of life is life itself. We create purpose to give meaning to our suffereing.

Derek,
Your analogies are always so relatable and memorable. Thanks for delivering deep thoughts in a way that can really stick with me. It is greatly appreciated.

Be Well,
Chris

Reminds me of Walt Whitman's famous quote: "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

In the past week, I've seen two people refer to themselves as "multitudes."

Good to see people expanding beyond the box.

Thanks for your woolly wit and wisdom, Derek. Always appreciate your ever insightful and generous thoughts.

I love this idea, Derek! Stop with the labels and just follow your interests!

"There is no line connecting moments in time." A very powerful, and for me, radical insight. As a former journalist I tend to think of moments weaving a tapestry of meaning but I'm now inclined to believe your insight is more true and far reaching. Purpose, passion, are labels as you observe that we glom onto those things that have somehow motivated or excited us. But they have a dark side and can, as you intuit, limit us from the next circumstance that might engage us even more deeply. Beautifully said, complete with a cute doggy pic! I did enjoy. Thank you.

I think I agree - the purpose of everything is just to say ahhh ohh I feel satisfied or engaged or in regard to work
in Mihaly's flow like this sniffing and curious digging dog depending on whether or not you are starving and desperate and so forth cuz then sometimes you really do need to just get your family's survival needs met

Indeed the experiencing self doesn’t need purpose, but the remembering self does like a good story, and that’s the role purpose plays. You can construct a story retrospectively ofcourse, but it’s often more straightforward to construct one prospectively. Purpose also provides constraints that can serve to focus creativity!

I love this take. Thanks for sharing Derek.

I wish I had realized sooner how to balance the desire for the linear purpose or plot in life with the absolute requirement that we succumb to immediate interests and fascinations regularly and often. Life becomes much more entertaining when you realize that you can in fact do this - despite jobs, kids, responsibilities, etc. Great thoughts Derek - thanks for sharing.

“You are not a story” love this

I'm currently reading a book called 'Range' by Daniel Epstein. Which is very much in line with your ideas here. Thanks for driving the point home. <3

Derek - I'd encourage you to flip the 'purpose' construct on its head. It's being presented as constraining and imposed, normative instructions for how to live and what to do.

But purpose can be much deeper, unifying, and self-directed.

Purpose defines life goals, not activity goals; some activity goals are compatible with purpose while others are incompatible – such are the imperfections, fuzziness, and wonder of life.

Purpose provides personal meaning across and beyond activities rather than being constrained within them.

Purpose provides general and generalised direction to your life rather than specific directions for any part of it.

Unfortunately, purpose might be nothing more than a reflection of external demands, but this devalues the concept.

We are each our own stories, with purpose derived from and evolving with experiences. My purpose might be to go north-east but, at any point, heading south-west is not a pointless diversion but a decision consistent with my purpose (regardless of how it seems to others).

I think we should be purpose-full.

I enjoyed the brevity and directness and the humor in this. A helpful counter to the usual advice I see. Thanks Derek!

It's great you remembered my Fat Dog connection.
I am one of those odd people who will do anything and everything (Everything ) is my favorite word. I am now showing my paintings in a friends restaurant named Under The Bodhi Tree. I have a couple of images I'd like to send you if your interested. Send me an email I can send you and attached photo.
Thanks for your email always good to hear you are giving something to the world
Aloha Shen

This one really resonated with me. I've always felt that "passion" or "purpose" to be such an arbitrary question - and have found myself frustrated for not having a big one. What I never did before was question the question itself as you've done here. I agree with what you said that life is certainly not a story, I am certainly not the "main character" or any other typical self-delusion we see nowadays. I'm just a human-being on this earth living in this very moment, which is all that truly does exist in the world, and is always changing and moving forward. There are some things I just like doing for the process of it, and I never considered it a "passion" since the end goal doesn't tell a good enough story for people to be impressed by. I think the best method is to say I don't care what other people think, or if I have a good story to tell of how my "passions" are doing something better for the world, I'm just going to keep experimenting with new things, new lifestyles, new habits, new relationships, new personas, new activities, and whichever ones I enjoy the most I will keep in my life, and those that I don't enjoy very much I will discard. I've done so with certain habits such as journaling, which I just enjoy the process of and find it therapeutic, but I don't tell myself the delusion that my "purpose" is writing. I just like doing it because it helps me work through thoughts in real time. I don't need to have some heroic story about it, I just simply found out that I like to do it, specifically in certain formats, and aside from that who gives a damn what other people think or if you label that as your "purpose" or "passion". I think it all stems down to trying to impress people, or to fit in with societies' expectations of having a "passion" or "purpose". I think if you just genuinely don't care what other people think, you won't have to tell yourself this projected fantasy of what is and is not your "passion" or "purpose" in life. You just enjoy doing certain things and love the process, no need to tell a big story out of it to impress people - just stop caring what other people think and do the things you enjoy and keep experimenting with new things.

Your post, Derek, struck a chord with me, particularly your analogy of the dog's journey. It's a compelling illustration of how our pursuits and interests can be fluid and unpredictable, much like a dog freely exploring its environment. This perspective challenges the conventional wisdom that we must find a singular, overarching purpose in life. Instead, it suggests that we should immerse ourselves in the tasks and activities that captivate us in the moment.

However, I couldn't help but reflect on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who had a clear overarching purpose: the pursuit of truth. This was not a rigid goal, but a guiding principle that allowed for flexibility and adaptation. His specific actions, such as the Dandi March or the Champaran movement, were shaped by the specific challenges and opportunities of the moment. Yet, they were all guided by his overarching commitment to truth and justice.

This made me realize that having a clear purpose or narrative does not necessarily mean being rigid or inflexible. Instead, it can provide a guiding principle or value that helps to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of life, while still allowing for flexibility and adaptation.

In essence, whether we have a clear purpose like Gandhi, or we're exploring freely like your dog, the key is to find a balance between flexibility and direction, allowing our purpose to guide us without constraining our ability to adapt and grow. We are not bound by a single story, but free to explore and change directions.

Thank you for your thought-provoking post. It has sparked a fascinating exploration of the nature of purpose and the narrative we construct around our lives.

Thanks you Derek. Always enjoy your positive view on things. Interesting that you are east of me.
:)
Hope you are enjoying your week.

Kindest regards!

Exactly what I needed to read at the exact moment I needed it 🙏🏽

You should know. Your perspective on life is so on point!

Oh, I love this one, Derek. Let's not become our inner actor.

I don't feel like I need to justify my existence by assigning it some special purpose. Life in itself, being alive, is the biggest thing. Nothing else comes even close to it.

It reminds me of Howard W Thurman's: "Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that… Because what the world really needs is people who have come alive".

And for me this goes deeper than just some mind-constructed ideas and purposes. What I'm really interested in is always going deeper. It's a moment-by-moment quest for being expanded rather than contracted. It's cultivating a sense of wonder and miraculousness of life, for every little thing that came into existence, every little moment. It's this tenderness that comes from accepting and maybe even embracing that nothing lasts. I can be disillusioned to the core, yet full of livingness itself.


And it also reminds me of Joseph Campbell saying towards the end of his life that he didn't believe that people seek for meaning for life. What we are seeking is an experience of being alive. What’s the meaning of the flower, Universe, flee. It’s just there. And your own meaning is that you are there. But we are so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of other value that we forget that the inner value, being alive, is what it’s all about.

And one last way of framing it. Comes form Stan Grof. When he was speaking about the meaning, knowledge, he said how he used to be devouring books. And then it took him to the end of his life (he is 92, I just saw him in Denver last week at the Psychedelic Science conference) when he couldn’t remember what he had for dinner, let alone what he read in those books. In the end, we can’t find a meaning using reason. Our reason, intellect, is just motions. We think that we figured it all out, and of course in another 10 years we will think like what we knew now was very immature. And so on.

But I also feel that speaking about all this is quite unpopular. Meaning and purpose are really celebrated as the things in life.

Lost in the work not lost in thought. Great reminder to start with the thing you want to do and not just think about it.
Thanks for this Derek!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's quite funny as I also have some thoughts on dogs and it was nice to read yours. Another ''funny'' thing is that I often think, that it would be nice to share my thoughts and write about it. I've never done it, because I don't have a blog or anything like that.

When I look at my dog I can't help thinking that a dog is like our mind or maybe rather that our mind is like a dog:)( sometimes like a monkey tough) It needs lots of training, otherwise it's very hard to control it. And if a dog or mind is not trained well, everything around is impacting its behavior and life is much harder then.

It's very easy to trick a dog, just like it's easy to trick a person ( his mind). I can trick a dog with his favorite snack and he will do something that I know he really hates. It's sooo easy to trick a person to start a new diet and make them think, that this time it will be different and a new diet will work.

I think now, that our thoughts and comparison we find might reflect what is important to us at the moment. Mindset and training my own mind is very important to me now days. I guess you are pondering often the subject of purpose...

PS I am sorry if there is some mistakes, I am not used to writing in english

BR
Edyta

Love this !

As story making machines it landed with me your line about ‘you are not a story’
Love you to expand more on that x

Thanks DS

Well… If I want to drive to Geneva, I put my destination in the navigation system. And it guides me there. If I want to drive 86km (the distance between my house and Geneva), I can do that too. I just might not wind up in Geneva, in fact there are 360 degrees of possibility of where I might wind up. I guess it all depends on what you want. And your why…

Purpose as a red herring - like it!
succinctly put! :-) — Derek

This is getting spiritual, and I love it.

It may require adaptability, openness to change, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty. Balancing short-term gratification with long-term considerations, such as financial stability or personal growth. It is what you feel comfortable with. I love Derek's blog. There is no right or wrong answer to this. 🙂

Thank you Derek,
I needed this. Have been looking for some purpose in life for months and years. It is somehow expected of you. Even my therapist has suggested I come with one for the next decade of my life. Always had trouble coming up with something that feels right. Your compelling story does. "He dashes. He digs. He stops to sniff. He romps with another dog." Love it.

Nice one, this connected with me. I do think people (including myself) spend unnecessary time worrying about such things. Also, it gets built into an identity that becomes something like "I am a pianist, I should be practicing instead of learning how to swim". But you could just realize that if you want to do something, you can do it, you don't need to justify it.

Life is about paradoxes.
You want a purpose and at the same time follow your passion. Both should be aligned.

When you hike up a mountain you have the top as your goal.
But you also want to enjoy the hike. If you hike aimlessly around the mountain it's just not the same fun.

If you realize while climbing...oh shout! It's the wrong mountain and your passion for climbing dies than it's good to walk back down and try something else.

Brilliant Derek:-)

Timing could not be better, after 21 years in the Army, I finally revisited my "passion" for graphic design & have been like that dog non-stop for a while now.
Thanks for a powerful insight in such a condensed & seemingly simple form.

Derek
This is a lovely, clear reminder of what is what. I think it’s easy to get stuck on strategy rather than action…doing.

But I’m highly biased….my life has been and still is, eyes lighting up with an idea. Saying yes. And boldly (or wildly!) pursuing.

Something like that!

Thanks and best,

Roger

Nice note to think about. My take away is leave space for change. Is this not inline with strong oppinions loosely held? An other way to look at this might be fallow what you think you love, but when a new love comes along ... And, like always don't care to much what others think.

Love this!!

Thank you Derek. A timely reminder that when we’re not immersed in the here and now, we feel the need to look for our “purpose”

Thanks Derek! I needed to hear that from somebody else but me. Your words, infused with your understanding of human existence and your kindness, mean a lot for me right know. I would like to read more from you on this subject. Kindest regards

This is gold, love this

How might passion and purpose be related to wants and needs? This is something I've been thinking about for the past few years.

I think that searching for passion and purpose are privileges when you don't have to think of how to get your basic needs met. Feelings of deprivation don't lead to flow state.

How wonderful to be the dog that can go every which way guided by enjoyment and instinct. Much preferred to being on a leash walking around the block to not make a mess inside. Yet, that dog, footloose and fancy free, may sometimes be purposeful, chasing a squirrel or growling at a competitor.

How do you think of purposeful vs purpose?

Hmmm...This is fascinating. I love the thinking. I think there are a lot of layers to this. The dog isn't able to articulate a sense of purpose, nor is the dog searching for a sense of purpose. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have a sense of purpose - just that the dog needs to be able to articulate it.

I think the key word in your article is the word "fascinate." The task, the work, needs to fascinate you, excite you - that is, something about it needs to draw you in, almost as if it compels you. This relates to the "Hell yeah or no!" philosophy: it's not just any work you should do; you should do the work that makes you say "Hell yeah!"

I would argue, though, that what truly fascinates you, what compels you, what excites you, DOES connect with your internal sense of purpose (to the compass in your gut, as you write). In other words, I think that following what fascinates you will make clearer to you what you really want to do, achieve, change in the world.

I'm also curious how this article relates to another one you've written: "Why are you doing?" I think having this level of clarity is important; it helps you stop wasting time. But I definitely agree: purpose is not something you "search for" as if it is external to you; rather it's a process of self-discovery.

Great post Derek!

The "find your passion" talk track in the speaker and life coach blogosphere underpins a trillion dollar industry making people feel terrible at scale.

Whatever happened to feeling good and proud as a human about being a provider in whatever way possible, and not made to feel bad just because one isn't in love with the work at hand.

Im not saying don't aim for scripting a life of work you love, just saying don't buy into the myth that you have to love work...

I've always been driven by those 2 things. I didn't know reasons other than what was driving me. There were different reasons and so i just jumped in and did it. Except if it caused problems to others or in the future. Now those two things can cause you to forget about your passions.

Good to hear from you.

When I was younger I did this naturally - explored my passions without an end goal in mind. Nowadays I keep evaluating every inclination I have against a backdrop of ROI, outcomes, and whatnot. The approach is bizarre given how everything I achieved in life was more or less random and never went according to my plans or imaginary outcomes. A timely read. Thank you.

Thank you, Derek. You always nail it!

This: “You are not a story.” In these times of centring story and insisting on a tightly regulated narrative and tightly confined, claustrophobic existence, thank you for offering a different invitation.

Very true post, Derek. I find that when I am engaged in doing something I am not thinking about my performance, I am living in the moment. The hours pass and I seldom notice them.

When I do try to set a course I often find that living has other plans. Instead, setting a course has become more like "I think I will stick a pin in life's map here and then see what new reality reveals itself."

I belief purpose is a verb. It's about doing. It could the task.

E.g. we bring a man to the moon or we transform the global food system by replacing 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040.

Yes, indeed finding the passion is a matter of tasting things to see what you actually like. Doing things either because you are drawn to them or because you are forced by life to do them. Sometimes you stumble upon the most amazing things you never expected and that sends you spiraling down a rabbit hole of discovery. Plus you don’t ever have to stay committed to something. If it doesnt bring you anymore joy you can always pivot in some way. I found a passion i never knew i had by trial and error. Now I enjoy spending multiple hours a week on a podcast that pays me no money. And i am so happy with the process of all of it, doing every little piece of it on my own and learning as i go.

True and well said :)

Some days just wander where the browsing takes you... found some of the best coffee shops and the best books by that approach.

Not everything needs a plot!

it ain't nuthin' but the dog in me

Wonderful text. For me focus on what fascinates me is part of my purpose, the way I define purpose. For me purpose is already a given without a concrete bulls-eye target, an experience of deep centered engagement before the narratives that I may attach to it. Eckhart Tolle, Viktor Frankl and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, are some other great teachers that come to mind right now.

Thanks Derek. On this one I do feel that purpose is necessary. Purpose is like a compass that keeps you in track towards the direction set. If I puposed in my heart that I will not gain 20 pounds then I will be able to stay away from the food which might take me there. A dog will eat anything you put in front of him, he has no purpose other than immediate satisfaction.

Love this. My passion is pursuing what fascinates me.

Thanks Derek

I really needed to read this.

This morning, I was scrolling on my phone looking for fun things to do in Virginia. But is a preplanned route really an adventure?

I went to a natural tourist attraction a few weeks ago by coincidence. It had a green screen at its entrance and no places that permitted wandering inside. I was disappointed at first, but then I took out my journal, sat on a ledge, and recorded the quirks and behaviors of different people passing by. I had a chance to talk to strangers! That day has a lot of sentimental value :)

Btw it was ranked #4 on some website article 🙃

I love your dog's metaphor. Thank you Derek, I found it happier when I do not search for purpose.

WOW, as always!
I try to coerce myself into a super-regimented Conquest Plan...but inevitably, I bend to the power of Free Flow.

I like this very much. As a lifelong student of music (my story), I do think there is more than just jumping from desire to desire. By making a conscious decision to pursue a specific thing it gives me the drive to continue to work on deepening my understanding even on days when it’s not ‘fun’. And as someone who is in to many disparate things, I am all for not limiting one’s path based on some external metric. Thank you Derek!

I think maybe some people resist this idea because, 1) the idea of needing a purpose is culturally ingrained, and 2) many people have their internal motivation crushed by a system of coerced education, and have trouble just letting go of external motivators because they literally believe that they can't accomplish anything without them. I homeschool my kids and try to provide an environment that supports their innate curiosity, autonomy and competence, and find that they (and their homeschooled friends) do all kinds of interesting things without any need for a purpose, and that this seems to be the natural state of humans when raised in a sufficiently nourishing environment.

I recently attended a class where an up-and-coming Rapper mentioned he got his start on CD baby. Reminded me of your work and wanted too say that there's no "one way" to live. It's not a race, and all we have is the time on this planet to appreciate the gifts and strengths we have been given. Just be yourself. No need to tell a story, but you can, if it helps. A dog doesn't need to impress anyone, it just is and lives in the moment. May we all have those moments where we are truly living and appreciating what we are capable of.

Just came across this quote this morning:

"To be purposeful is not to be goal oriented, but to seek to reconnect to the source of one's life."

- Michael Meade

I am not sure that "there is no purpose", perhaps some of us have not yet found that purpose, but nothing in existence has no purpose, we just may not know it. We can still follow our interests like a child running in the fields and enjoy every second of it. Sometimes we plan, sometimes we don't have to, and we can choose to be instantaneous and go with the flow. Targets, goals and purpose are vital in life otherwise any direction will do.

Hi Derek! Interesting thoughts! Passion is not always purpose. I feel their is a story to be told. A purpose for existence. In fact even a map! A blueprint for every day to discover. Passion can lead us off the path, purpose is eternal.
Have a beautiful day Derek!!
Tunes ahead!
Rachel ❤👋🎼🤗🎸🎵🎵

Great!

Derick, your timing is perfect. I recently wrote Rosa and Black Gold, posted a video with FB, and got so many views that FB elevated my videos to pro level. Of course I am thrilled to see where this goes. I wrote it due to my friendship with the family descended from Rosa Hoots, owner of Black Gold, Kentucy Derby winner, 1924 and triple crown that same year.A new movie, ROSA AND BLACK GOLD is in the making. To follow KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON this fall.

Great post as always!

Permission to just be when being is coming easy. Then there are other times when the doggy isn't finding any stimulation and is sitting at the window waiting for something to bark at or chase or dig up. Those are the moments when self-awareness of purpose/passion can be comforting and directing to me. Otherwise, i might just sit there and growl at passerby's, sniff my own crotch, eat my own p...er, you get the idea

Have you done any thinking about how having a story could be useful? Or about how our tendency to narrativize our lives could be used to our benefit?

Very insightful and true thankyou for pointing this out :)

What a freeing thought, rather like the difference between an itinerary and wandering, letting life (or the road) take you where it will...

Thank you so much for sending this. My thoughts exactly! “When you write “ focus on what fascinates you,” it reminds me of when I was teaching at the community college: I would tell my students what Joseph Campbell told his: “follow your bliss!” Now that I am retired I am following my bless, focusing on what fascinates me, which is writing a book on gratitude. And also focusing on coming to grips with being 80 years old, and thinking about the big questions about what’s to follow!

Thanks - so very true.

Interesting idea! How would this fit in with being strategic I wonder? Especially if you're fascination is not limited? At some point it would seem you would need to make some strategic decisions due to opportunity cost?

Love it, Derek. Pressure off, mind on.

Hello Derek

I hope I understood what you were saying. I remember when my goal or purpose was to become a recording artist under a label. Then I decided to go it along. Maybe, I did not really enjoy the ride of going to places and seeing the views all the time. I was so into performing, rehearsing, being on time...etc. My memory allows me now to think of the many people I met and the wonderful things I saw while traveling. My goal has been met on my terms. But I try to appreciate the experiences I get from people. I am fascinated with the comments I get from the audience, gardening, how not to kill my lemon tree and roses. hahahahahahaha Now, life is full of fascinating things other than goals. Thank you very much Derek. (smile)

100% what I needed to hear today! Thank you.

Great thoughts. This story reminds me of Leonardo Da Vinci, who if we are a fraction as productive as he was in ANY field, we will be regarded as most accomplished!

Very helpful article for me at this time. Cheers Derek. The social need to be congruent reminds me of the sunk-cost fallacy.

Derek - you've written elsewhere on your blog that in your earlier life you were 'future-focused' to the extreme, in the service of achieving your then goals.

Now, presumably having achieved those goals, you write here about focusing on the present, the here and now.

Useful, not true? Whatever works for the person you are at that stage of your life?

Agreed! 👍🏽

"You are not a story."

That's good.

Thank you for sharing your insight! I feel like this post just took some pressure off my shoulders.

Very Zen. But it’s a just another perspective of reality, like every religious doctrine and every scientific model of the universe, even the concept of *lack* of purpose is a way of looking at things.

The wandering polyglot is a lovely romantic idea, but the reality of most people’s lives is that they are led from one moment to another by the next externalised circumstance that pulls on their attention. The wandering mind time needs space to breathe, programmed in space if necessary.

But then when we do have a purpose, it helps concretize that activity into something tangible.

I learn best with a project. My route to something tangible may be meandering, but I need the project to help direct my wandering, otherwise I’m just a bundle of increasing entropy.

It’s a balance. Wandering gives exploratory creative freedom. But it doesn’t in itself create.

Have you had much connection with people recently? This is the kind of line of thinking I might have when I’m disconnected. It’s weird because it feel like being more connected to myself and the mundane, which is lovely for a break, but when I start interacting with people again, I realize I’ve forgotten about other people and that maybe they are not so easy to pin down, on a very different path to me, and it helps ground me and realize what is right for me may not be right for someone else. We may not be a story, but when we connect with others we become part of one.

Nice!

Brilliant and concise as ever Derek. Thanks for the reminder. It should of course be advice for every being, but it’s especially poignant for artists and public figures who have a career, audience and livelihood built on a narrative/ideology, from which they have to be free to evolve, or they will stagnate.

What a true story that is :-)

Since I became a dog mom, I'm constantly thinking about how life would have been "easier" if I were a dog :-D this is mostly about being in the present, enjoying the connection you have with the people you love, and yes, once again, staying present, not worrying about the past or future...

Excellent! Thank you Derek, you are a true source of inspiration ;D

Nice! Side note: there is this very famous story in Argentina named “Messi is a dog” (about the football player) which illustrates this philosophy :)

https://hernancasciari.com/blog/messi_es_un_perro

Here's a translation:
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1ay3bu/i_translated_hernan_casciaris_article_messi_is_a/

Hi Derek,

Now THAT was a sobering read! And a very timely one too as I sit planning my week ahead to reverse engineer outcomes. While there's inevitably a degree of that (I'm a serial investor/entrepreneur so have "commitments" to my deals/businesses) reading pdog made me realise to satisfy me more. Not the ego-led caricature that is seen by the outward world. But the one that enjoys getting lost in the moment, or in a book or simply in the warm sunshine. Thanks!

As ever,
Mike

Thanks Derek, couldn't agree more!

I wonder if this could be taken further. I see this as one example of a broader human default: we become a slave to the story we write about ourselves. I’ve noticed it in myself and in others too.

I think if you can accept your life is a mixture of chapter (that aren’t necessarily from the same book) you’ll get more out of life because you don’t limit yourself.

Whilst I was studying (journalism) I limited myself to journalistic passions. But this just made my other non-journalistic passions feel like they were a waste of time e.g cooking, climbing… but in reality these worldly passions only improved my writing and my ability to relate to different experiences.

Amazing insight as always, Derek.

Generally, I don't really look for purpose. I rather try to have some principles that I refer to when making decisions. One of them is "Do interesting things".

Stories never end

Imagine

Needed this "little" reminder today, Derek, thanks! It's like the aperture of a lens, and sometimes I get so close-up, niche-centric, north-east focused that I lose why I got off the leash in the first place. Opening that aperture and taking in what's right in front of me...Nature, the Tao, never lets me down and provides everything I need to flow back into the work. Cheers!

I suspect there’ll be two distinct reactions to this post.

1. Those that decree they are here to make a dent in the universe and that a dog isn’t. That by having a plan they have achieved (xyz). Also, that You (Derek) are privileged with financial freedom therefore it’s easier.

2. Those that embrace this fully. That there’s little/ no point in constantly studying purpose when there is (just as great) value in being here, now.

Love the dichotomy, struggle with zig-zagging between both.

Thanks Derek, hope you’re good.

I strongly believe that every person has a task or purpose they are supposed to fulfill. But they fulfill it whether they are conscious of it or not, as it is not important 'what' they are doing but 'how' they are doing it. My theory is that some people are drawn to certain activities/passions because they are a vehicle for them to express what they were supposed to express anyways. (And 'having a passion' helps with the storytelling when the going gets tough, of course. ;))

This is a timely reminder of how we are at an inflection point in the energy transition. We can, and in my opinion, should, approach it through a lens of experiential learning. We must take the next right step, acquire insight and then refine as we take another step. History doesn’t exist, it is an arbitrary connecting of the dots after the fact. We can transition to a renewable energy system, not by fully knowing the detailed path, but by taking brave bold hopeful actions with purpose.

Great observation!
How often we distract and limit ourselves with stated purposes, thus shutting the door on the evolution of a direction and any improvisation along the way.

Hey D,
I love the words "Focus on what fascinates you".
That simplifies and encompasses so much.
Really says it all.
Let's not make our life-journeys complicated.

Derek! This was so amazingly timely and poignant for me to read... and get! It is so freeing to take the confines of these kinds of definitions of ourselves... and I love how you articulated this concept so clearly, thank you! The passion and purpose are in the act of doing, being and creating whatever comes from us...and like everything else in life, purpose and passion morphs and changes all the time... as do we...and the expression of those things. Thanks for sending!!

Thanks for being that dashing dog Derick. This is one of those moments where I need to comment and express gratitude. This was one of those messages has come to me at the perfect time. How many of us passionate individuals spin endlessly on those two words, wanting to make it right and not doing the work and not dashing. How much fun does it sound to dash to run to play?
Thank you

Truly a profound message. Derek your writing always hits me. This post is so powerful, I wish more people took on this perspective.

Derek, you are one of my favourite humans I never met.

Couldn't agree more. Thanks for putting this concept into such clear words :)

So true.

Not picking on the terms - passion / purpose, there is value in knowing what gives you joy, what you might like to do next so that some of your choices when you have options may align with that. Being flexible with next steps but comfortable with overall direction makes you ok with wandering for a while which may lead to new things and experiences. When enlightened with a deep understanding of yourself, you can make the right next choices that provide enjoyment and not stress, regret and pain.

Great point~ Remind me of the book 'Finite and Infinite Games' by James P. Carse

Great insights as usual Derek!. There is no purpose to life. I think osho said," “It's like writing on water or building houses of sand.”

Literally studying Paramedicine degree part-time at 55, whilst heading up Technology Innovation for a national Energy firm.

"There is no plot. You are not a story!!" Precisely!

Love your work Derek

It’s not about the direction, it’s about the task at hand. We focus to much on the compass, rather than walking. I guess that Derek want us to enjoy each step, not to follow step-by-step a map.

Unfortunately social reality is still reality, despite being a construct. Sometimes you need to speak in terms of your story (for example in job interviews). Of course that doesn't mean that you should exist in that story, but you must know it and know how to present it.

I love it! It's the subject I write about ; )

Interesting view on how we perceive our lives. I get the point, and have only a slight addenda. At some point our individual lives ARE a story. It is up to each of us to create a narrative that helps us understand who we are and why/how we have taken the paths/directions we have, as well as why we have not taken others that have come into view or been offered to us. Perhaps it depends on some sort of personality traits (or quirks?). I love the idea of a Well-Intentioned Life, (though mine certainly got off to several rocky starts.) When I look at my life as a whole, I like being able to see the general arc, with just enough side stories to keep it interesting....but then I have been extraordinarily lucky (and mostly well-intentioned.)

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Accomplish the things you CAN achieve so that you can accomplish the things you're meant to achieve. These are the ramblings of a romping dog...

Spontenaity unbridled is a wonderful thing, however I always use a spiritual compass....

To be a dog is to live free and fun life.
Everything is adventure, you pay for nothing and food comes from heaven or magic. You just open that thing that you simply have in home and tada - you have food. If you are sick someone will take care of that. If you have any needs - someone will take care of that.
Good luck for living like a dog when you are human with no money in saving account and magic just don't work for you.

A "passion" or "purpose" are likely two different things.
Both should be allowed to change over time.
One shouldn't try too hard to "search" for them - let them find their own way to you, and then the roads lead in all different directions.
You are absolutely right about that social need to be congruent - now conscious of this fact I can make an effort to resist this. Thank you for that.

Ha my passions are shopping, having tea, decorating and socializing good laughs with friends

Very well articulated, Derek. Thank you. It has taken me a long time to internalize and action the above, but more and more I find myself embracing and discarding as the spirit moves.

The simplest idea but one I need to be reminded of repeatedly. I’m surprised at some of the pushback.

"When we announce something, we have a social need to be congruent" - it's very true especially in the culture I belong, but it's quite difficult to go against it emotionally, financially and possibly in many other circumstances.

It is very pertinent to my present situation when I am in a dilemma whether to follow the majority and try to settle or remain in the growth trajectory and prepare myself to face uncertainty.

Your dog personifies my life but yet someone close to me says "I am a mad dog"

However, people who critique my lifestyle have a point or two, too. Just like Jeannette from your comments :)

When one has dependencies and their lives are attached to your actions, you sometimes have to curb the dog-like instincts and take care of business.

However, make some time and be the dog...

Always your fan bud--you be you

Beautiful writing with a powerful point. It reminds me of something I read lately:

Life is not a set of train tracks, but an open field.

Love this post, thank you for the perspective that it's often good to follow what fascinates you in a dashing dog like way! Great to know that when I'm going deep down the rabbit hole as I so often do, that this may well be exactly what is best for me to do at that moment x

I needed to read this more than anything else I'm doing right now. A great reminder. Thank you Derek!

Inspiring!

Beautiful and reminds me of David Epstein’s Range. And the fear that I feel sometimes when my interests don’t align with what I know will have a better chance at succeeding commercially.

You are certainly not a philosopher. I'd like to see if you came to the same conclusion if you were not rich.

nice one

Oh, boy! I didn't know how to describe or explain what I've been feeling lately, but this article said it all. This is a very concise, in-your-face, direct connection with the hearts and soul of many folks, Derek! Thank you so much.

Thanks for this post Derek, thought provoking.

I read this as 'start with what fascinates you, not what purpose you want to serve.'

In other words, allow yourself to experiment without guardrails, then let it influence and/or dictate your values and shape your purpose (but only if you want it to, it doesn't have to).

Hey Derek, a few months ago you mentioned that you had begun to read the Bible is this your take away? Are you still reading through it or are you done?

If there is really no purpose then why did you write this article? HMMM Assuming that this was your Dog, did you leave him out forever or since you had a GPS tracker on him, did you locate him and picked him up to bring him home? How then does this lack of purpose and objectivity make this world a better place? How then can I even define what is better? Is it better only when I have something to gain?

We are often our own worst enemy and will exhaust ourselves over trying to talk ourselves out of why we CANNOT do something. Quite often we really can.

I used to agree with this sentiment. But don’t you feel that in order to be really great at something, you need complete focus? If you look at the best people in any field, they all share the same characteristics. Resilience and laser focus.

This post reminds me a bit of this Ted Talk from the NPR broadcaster/podcaster who hosts Hidden Brain: https://www.ted.com/talks/shankar_vedantam_you_don_t_actually_know_what_your_future_self_wants/c

"You are not a story.". Brilliant and enlightening! A story in this case is similar to an excuse for other people tying together all the dots of a life to justify it.

In flow you just do the why of it needs no justification.

Thank you!

Love the freedom this gives us, to not cling to a story of the past that tethers the future, or any notion of a linear path in any direction. Always provoking, I marvel at how often your words recur in my thinking and doing. Thanks Derek!!

There are things that Ihave to do and things, that I can do because I love doing them. Sometimes these things are the same and then I may find a purpose. Anyway, the things I do out of passion are things, that I want to do, because I enjoy doing them and that may change. Today, I may love to paint a picture, tomorrow I might live to write a song. Whatever I'm interested today or what my passion might be today, I should just enjoy it and I should not think too much about where it may take me.