For a while, I’ve been perplexed by some people around me pushing the all-being requirement of purpose.

Over and over and over small segments of the communities I’m in are being sold on “finding their purpose.”

Podcast

This most recently came to light on a podcast where the host shared a conversation with a friend about purpose.  They seemed to be on opposite sides of the spectrum.  It made me wonder if the need for purpose is built into someone’s personality.

Promotors

                perplexing pointless purpose perfection promotion

Promotors push: What’s your purpose?  What is it that drives you?  What do you do that makes the world a better place?  What makes your day important?

Everywhere I turn there is the “P” word—in print and podcasts (not those Ps)—especially in retirement circles.  Something like “…now that you are free from spending all day working you can take that time to change the world.  Hit it hard, hit it big.”

Personality

I don’t feel the need to be all-important and world or life-changing.  I’ve never felt that way.

I’ve always been just fine being myself, and doing what I want.  Maybe it’s because I’m an only child who didn’t have siblings to compete with or live up to.  Maybe it’s because I lived away from the big cities with no keeping up with the Jones’ lifestyle.  Maybe it’s the way I was raised to be intentional and true to myself.  I don’t live an external life.  I will freely admit that I focus on myself first because that’s who I am.

I guess my Health, Happiness, and Helping structure shows I’m not totally selfish.  It’s also not “my purpose” it’s just a structure.   Oh, I’m sure purpose-pushers would clarify that as “my purpose.”  Nope, it’s just a priority structure.

There is nothing about the word “purpose” that resonates with me personally.  I wonder if that’s because I don’t feel the need to change the world, others, or things outside of myself and my environment.  Maybe I’m selfish.  Yes, but I also do a lot for others.  “Helping” is my #3 priority.

I do agree with the book “Don’t Retire, REWIRE” and its focus on “drivers.”  I think that is an integral part of what makes a person feel good in their skin.  The traits that give them those good feelings.  I’ve had this on my list for a few years to review the drivers list and pick some…

Oh, that reminds me, I keep my Don’t Forget List of everything interesting that pops into my head.  It is NOT a To-Do List.  A To-Do List stacks up like chores rather than interests or jumping around and trying different things.  Roger Whitney and Cindy Terry call that Dabbling.  Love It.

$lackers

I’ve mentioned the slackers (“$lackers”—read by Siri as “dollar sign lackers”—NOT!).  One day we were all talking about purpose and passion and one of us said “I don’t really have a driving passion,” and another said, “I don’t want to have to find some big purpose.”  I think some of us felt that even trying to dig up a small purpose seems uninteresting in the current phase of our lives.

I said, “We’re just slackers.”  We all laughed and joked about it.  The irony that many of us retired early clearly shows we are driven, goal-oriented over-achievers.  Most of us are super-detailed, type-A personalities, yet we just dig hanging and doing what we want each day.  There’s a retiree joke, “I did THREE things today.”  That is a BIG day for many,

Oh no – the Anxiety bomb

I was BLOWN AWAY by the podcast host opining the other person may have purpose anxiety because their lifestyle didn’t fit with the author’s model.  I thought—I have/am the farthest thing from purpose anxiety.  I don’t EVER dwell on anything like that.  I’m a huge believer (and practitioner) of just doing whatever you want if it doesn’t hurt others.  Live YOUR life.

Personality

I think…I wonder…is this really just a personality trait that leads different people to have different needs?  Do some personalities have an internal drive for a purpose?  Could that same personality lead someone to have anxiety of any/multiple types?

I don’t have either anxiety or a desire for purpose at this time or in my past.  Yet, I’m an educated, skilled professional with a successful history of both career and FIRE.  Maybe I just haven’t had enough time in FIRE to realize others are better than me.

“800words”

*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice.  I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be.  You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.