[Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here]
Ben looks at purpose anxiety and possible solutions, and how to feel like the king of the world!
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
Things mentioned in today’s episode…
2 episodes from the Tim Ferriss show:
A.J. Jacobs — 10 Strategies to Be Happier Through Gratitude – The guy who thanked everyone for his coffee.
How to Make a Difference and Find Your Purpose — Blake Mycoskie – Founder of Tom’s shoes.
Plus…
Patrick Collison — CEO of Stripe – Not mentioned in today’s episode, but incredibly interesting on many levels. Fascinating to hang out with a very bright mind for an hour or so…
Notes from Ben 
Ben, I enjoyed hearing your thoughts today. Here in the states, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s life this past Monday. I thought I would share a short excerpt from his “The Three Dimensions Of A Complete Life” speech which I feel is appropriate.
“A man has not begun to live until he can rise above the narrow confines of his own individual concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity” – MLK Jr.
I think wise individuals, religious and non-religious alike, can agree on a few bits of advice for achieving happiness: work hard, stay positive(gratitude), help others. If you master those, you’re doing quite well.
Thanks for sharing, Ben!
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Thank you for your comment Justin, that quote is wonderful, I haven’t heard it before, but it’s given me a lot to think about. I’ll check out the video now too. I agree, those things are completely worth mastering.
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Hello Ben,
Thank you so much for sharing your reflections.
I have (after many years of soul-searching and anxiety that I am not a born ‘high achiever’) come to accept that maybe my purpose is to have no purpose. That isn’t a cop-out. It just alleviates the pressure for me that I ‘have to’ conform and strive for a career. I feel an affinity with the guy sweeping the floor in your Kennedy story. My work doesn’t define me. I may not be the Vice Chancellor of the university where I work, but I am integral cog in an increasingly difficult and competitive area of the society in which I live.
The fact that I have dreams and aspirations for other things (which I feel do define me and that I hope one day I can put into motion), encourages me to continue.
If along the way, I can give the best of me and make meaningful encounters, that is a good day at work.
Best wishes.
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Thanks for your comment Claire, I really appreciate what you are saying. To let go of having the idea of needing to have a purpose would definitely sort out my purpose anxiety problems. I think, as you say, that to have dreams and aspirations for other things is already more than enough.
Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
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