The Purpose Delusion: Why You Should Stop Searching for It

I don’t believe in purpose.

And by saying that out loud, I probably just lost half my audience. But I’m willing to take that risk—for those of you willing to hang on and hear me out.

The idea of "purpose" has become the bestselling myth of our time. Just take a look at your bookshelf, your LinkedIn feed, or Google (6 billion search results, no joke). For years, I bought into it too. I used to throw around phrases like “find your purpose” and “live your truth.” But after working with countless people who kept struggling with the same question—What am I meant to do?—I stopped believing.

And here’s why you shouldn’t either.

The Trap of Purpose

Purpose implies a preordained path—something you’re destined for. And that sounds like a relief, right? You don’t have to worry about figuring out your life; you just need to discover your purpose, and everything will fall into place.

So, you buy the books. You take the personality tests. You listen to the podcasts. You soul-search, interview your friends, journal endlessly… and still, you come up empty-handed.

That sinking feeling sets in: Am I the only person on earth who doesn’t have a purpose?

No. Just the opposite. Because purpose doesn’t exist.

I Know That’s Uncomfortable

I get it. I just ripped off the security blanket, and now you’re exposed to the cold reality: No cosmic script. No divine roadmap. No magical "aha" moment that tells you what you were put here to do.

It’s unsettling. Who wouldn’t want to sit back and wait for the universe to unveil their true calling? I know I would.

But what if I told you something else was at play? Something real, tangible, and far more powerful than purpose?

Interest.

The Power of Interest

I know, it sounds almost too simple. But that’s the problem—it’s not shiny, mystical, or pre-packaged with a grand reveal. Interest feels messy, like a book with no final chapter or a puzzle with infinite pieces.

And yet, it’s what actually drives people forward.

I’ve worked with countless clients—engineers who became CIOs, lawyers who pivoted into sales, marketing pros who ended up leading strategic planning teams. None of them sat around waiting for the universe to whisper their destiny. They followed their interests.

This is why corporate careers have long been attractive. They give you a playground to explore different skills and passions—all under one roof (and a stable paycheck and a 401k).

So What Now?

I’ve just taken away your purpose crutch—your reason for hesitation, your library of self-help books promising you "the answer." So, how do you move forward?

Expose yourself.

Not in the physical sense (please don’t get arrested), but in the mental sense. Be open—to conversations, books that genuinely interest you, new experiences, different industries, unexpected opportunities.

Chart your next role, not your entire life. You don’t have to overhaul your career every few years, but you will evolve. You should evolve. And that’s a good thing.

This is why coaches push short-term goals. Life isn’t scripted. There is no plot twist revealing your “true purpose.” Short-term goals give you a sense of control while letting life move organically. As you change, so will your interests. And your career should change too.

Whereas purpose demands a destination, interests create a journey.

Let’s Play a Game

A quick gut check:

Would you rather spend your entire life searching for some elusive, higher purpose—and never finding it?

Or would you rather live—following your interests, pivoting when needed, and chasing experiences that make you feel alive?

Yeah. Me too.