The Purpose of Purposelessness

I am coming at you with the purpose of purposelessness. Purpose and purposelessness together can create an incredible magnetic intentionality. If you mean something in this world, those two ideas can really lock you into the power of purpose. I’m a purpose-driven vehicle; I know what I am, I know why I’m here, and I know what I do. It’s very distinct and clear to me what my function and purpose is. Yet, I met this amazing coach, guide, woman, friend who said she doesn’t believe in purpose. This is one of the most purposeful people that I know, and she doesn’t believe in purpose. Over the course of our conversation, we found another yin and yang, another balance, another full-spectrum magnetic vehicle, in that purposeful and purposeless are much alike. As opposite as they seem, they are inherently connected. Understanding these two things might be helpful as you look at what you do, what you are, why you are here, and what purpose you want to commit to. Starting with purposeful, it is being able to define precisely what you do, how you do it, where you do it, and who you do it with. Purposeless is refusing to define it; floating through the world and being called forth as needed. It doesn’t matter what you do; your value is everywhere. Your value is not pegged to a specific occupation or job; it exists in any place and at any time. Purposelessness frees you from saying, “I can’t make a difference now because it’s not my job, I’m not on duty, I’m not in the right place, or I’m not in the right situation.” You can make a difference anywhere, and your value is not reduced to a function. The value of being purposeful is knowing what you do and who you are. Together, you can make a difference anywhere. Having a job that allows you to be purposeful all the time is great, but you don’t need that; you don’t require a job to make a difference. You can be in both camps: knowing your value and purpose while being open to the world’s call for your value when needed. This creates a magnetic draw that attracts you to situations where you matter. The combination of being purposeful and purposeless becomes magnetic, leading you to a place where, wherever you go, you matter. You don’t need to fit in to belong; you just need to exist. As you move through the world, knowing your purpose but not being locked into a specific occupation, you can make a difference repeatedly. Ultimately, being both purposeful and purposeless creates a magnetism that helps you belong and make a difference in the world.