A men's group I belong to recently challenged me to write the purpose of my life in a single sentence. I thought I knew my purpose. But when I tried to actually say it out loud, I bumbled through a pile of disjointed words that did not add up to anything. That alone told me something important. A purpose you cannot say cleanly is a purpose you have never truly defined. "My purpose is to create security, peace, and enjoyment for myself and my family through a steadfast pursuit of healthy habits, living aligned with correct principles, and inspiring others to do the same."
One Word at the Center: Security
So I did the work and got it down. This is not what I see as the purpose of life in general. It is my life's purpose, the specific assignment I believe is mine. And at the center of it is a single word. Security. Provided for the people in my care, across every dimension of their lives.
There is physical security, which is plain safety. There is emotional security, so that everyone in my life feels loved, appreciated, and respected. There is spiritual security, so that each person under my stewardship understands the deeper purpose of life and has access to good models of morality and real methods of spiritual connection. There is economic security, so that my family has what they need, with something left for them when I am gone. And finally, security means confidence. Confidence in themselves, confidence in me, and the conviction, built by my own example, that they can courageously and comfortably navigate any circumstance they will ever face.
A Purpose You Can't Articulate Can't Be Aimed At
That is my one sentence, unpacked. And here is why I am sharing it. Most men have never done this exercise even once. They carry a vague sense of purpose they have never put into words, and a purpose you cannot articulate is a purpose you cannot aim at. You end up firing your one life in every direction and hitting nothing in particular.
So let me hand you the same challenge that was handed to me. Write the purpose of your life in one sentence. Wrestle with it until it is actually true, not just words that sound good on paper. It will be one of the most clarifying things you ever do, and it will quietly change what you say yes and no to for the rest of your life.