Find Your Life's Purpose Instantly With 3 Powerful Questions | Tyler Cerny | TEDxJCU

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding life's purpose, suggesting that instead of starting with 'why,' we should focus on 'who' we are called to serve. Life transitions often lead to confusion, but clarity emerges when we identify whom we can help and the problems we can solve. Our purpose is tied to serving others, which brings fulfillment, peace, and joy. Aligning with the Creator's purpose brings true significance, passion, and peace. The message encourages using our unique strengths to serve others, validate our purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Finding life's purpose is crucial for fulfillment, but many people struggle to define theirs.
• 🧐 Only 25% of Americans truly know their life's purpose, according to a study by The New York Times.
• 🤔 Life transitions, such as marriage, graduation, or trauma, often lead to confusion about one's purpose.
• 😞 Confusion can lead to depression and lack of motivation, sometimes lasting years or even a lifetime.
• 🔄 The cycle of unfulfilling purpose involves transition, confusion, momentum, and ultimately unhappiness if the purpose is misaligned.
• 🙌 Purpose is predetermined by a higher power, not something we create ourselves, but something to align with.
• 🧠 Serving others activates a 'helper's high,' releasing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that provide fulfillment.
• 💡 The key to purpose is service: asking 'Who am I called to serve?' and 'What problems am I called to solve?'
• 💼 Solving bigger problems leads to greater financial reward and personal fulfillment.
• 🙏 True purpose is validated by peace, passion, and the willingness of others to pay for the value we provide.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main message about finding life’s purpose?

The speaker emphasizes that instead of starting with the question 'why are we here,' we should focus on who we are called to serve. Our life's purpose was predetermined by our creator, and when we align with that purpose, we find happiness, fulfillment, and significance.

What percentage of Americans know their life’s purpose, according to the New York Times study?

Only 25 percent of Americans truly know their life’s purpose, according to the New York Times study mentioned by the speaker.

What are the four steps in the 'cycle of unfulfilling purpose' outlined by the speaker?

The four steps in the cycle of unfulfilling purpose are: 1) Transition, 2) Confusion, 3) Momentum and clarity, and 4) Unhappiness and lack of fulfillment.

How does the speaker define the word 'purpose' based on its etymology?

The speaker explains that 'purpose' comes from 'p-u-r,' meaning 'set forth beforehand' and 'pure,' and 'pose,' meaning 'to suggest or intend.' Thus, purpose stands for 'the purest suggestion or intention set forth beforehand.'

How does the speaker relate the purpose of a chair to finding personal purpose?

The speaker uses the analogy of a chair, where its purpose is defined by its creator. If the user's purpose for the chair (e.g., using it as a bed) is out of alignment with the creator's intention, it leads to frustration. Similarly, in life, when our purpose is not aligned with the creator's intent, we experience unfulfillment.

What are the two most important days in a person’s life according to the speaker?

The two most important days in a person’s life are the day they are born and the day they find out why, a quote attributed to Mark Twain.

What happens to our brain when we help others, according to the speaker?

When we help others, our brain releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, giving us a feeling of happiness and fulfillment, often called the 'helper’s high.' This feeling is similar to what we experience during activities like sex, consuming sugar, or using social media.

What are the three key questions the speaker suggests asking to discover our life’s purpose?

The three key questions to discover life’s purpose are: 1) Who am I called to serve? 2) What problems am I called to solve? 3) How am I called to solve these problems?

How does the speaker define success in relation to solving problems?

The speaker states that success, and consequently financial gain, is tied to solving problems. The bigger the problems we solve, the greater the rewards. Identifying and solving significant problems leads to both personal and financial success.

What three indicators does the speaker mention to confirm that someone is living their purpose?

The three indicators are: 1) Peace — having inner peace with what you’re doing, 2) Passion — enjoying and looking forward to your work, and 3) Profit — people being willing to pay for the solution you provide, allowing you to support yourself and others.