---
title: "Having a Purpose is B.S."
url: "https://books.joshbraun.com/4/forsale/170/having-a-purpose-is-b-s"
---
**HAVING A PURPOSE IS B.S**
I spoke with Mel, a 76-year-old retired man.
I asked him what his purpose was now that he was retired.
His answer surprised me.
“Having a purpose is B.S.”
“My purpose this morning was to drink coffee and read. My purpose right now is to swim. I have no idea what my purpose will be when I’m done swimming.”
“Seeking purpose creates pressure and makes people depressed.”
“I don’t need KPIs to have a purpose.”
“Instead of chasing a purpose, I choose to be curious.”
“Try new things.
Swim.
Surf.
Paint.
Eat a snail.
Mold clay.”
“Your purpose is to be here. That’s enough.”
It’s a good reminder.
Our purpose isn’t our job.
That’s just a lie we’ve been told that keeps us working eight hours a day.
What if we pursued creativity instead?Followed our passions.
See where it takes us.
Our purpose might simply be to support that.
Work can fund creativity, but work shouldn’t define us.
The shift?
Seeking → Being