#296: How to Find Your Life's Purpose

#296: How to Find Your Life's Purpose

My guest today is William Damon, author of the book "Path to Purpose."
There’s been a lot of ink spilt in the past decade about young adults' “failure to launch," wherein 20-somethings who should be progressing into independent adulthood, end up spending that decade of their life in an extended adolescence. Several reasons have been given for this phenomenon, from the economy to helicopter parenting. After conducting a landmark 25-year study, my guest argues that a major factor in young adults' failure to launch is actually rooted in their difficulty in finding a purpose for their life. His name is William Damon, he’s a professor of education at Stanford University, and today on the show we discuss the results of his study and the importance of having an overarching aim in life -- which are the themes of his book, The Path to Purpose.
We begin our conversation discussing the criteria of a good life’s purpose and why fewer young people have one today. We then discuss why more young people are prioritizing fame and fortune over public service compared to their peers a half century ago, the new places many young people are finding purpose today (and why that’s led to a decrease in civic engagement), and the benefits that come from having a clear purpose in life. We end by talking about how a young person -- and even those longer in the tooth, who still feel adrift -- can find a life’s purpose and what parents can do to help their children find theirs.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(1159)

The Safe, Effective Supplement That Can Improve Your Body and Brain

The Safe, Effective Supplement That Can Improve Your Body and Brain

What if there was a supplement that could build muscle, maintain bone health, fortify the brain against cognitive decline due to age and stress, and alleviate depression, has been proven safe, and com...

18 Sep 202443min

Is Self-Control Overrated?

Is Self-Control Overrated?

Self-control, the ability to resolve a conflict between two competing desires, is frequently touted as the golden key to success. But many of the most popular ideas about self-control are actually at ...

16 Sep 20241h 5min

You Were Born to Run

You Were Born to Run

For decades, some researchers have argued that the notable human capacity for endurance evolved from the hunting practices of our ancestors, which produced physiological adaptations that make us uniqu...

11 Sep 202440min

Becoming a Tech Intentional Family

Becoming a Tech Intentional Family

In a family, a lot of the dynamics around devices and screens are reactive in nature. Kids bug for their own smartphones, parents worry they'll be left out without one, and without weighing the pros a...

9 Sep 202450min

10 Philosophy-Inspired Challenges for Becoming a Better and Happier Man

10 Philosophy-Inspired Challenges for Becoming a Better and Happier Man

Although they may call it different things and approach its attainment in different ways, many of the world’s religions and philosophies have a similar goal: achieving a life of virtue, peace, and flo...

4 Sep 202449min

How to Win Friends and Influence People in the 21st Century

How to Win Friends and Influence People in the 21st Century

Note: This is a rebroadcast.Over the last year, my 12-year-old son has been doing one challenge every week as a rite of passage and chance to earn a special trip. Some of these challenges have involve...

2 Sep 202452min

It's Never Too Late to Achieve Your Dream, Receive Recognition, or Make Your Mark

It's Never Too Late to Achieve Your Dream, Receive Recognition, or Make Your Mark

As you get older, you can start to feel like you'll never achieve your dream or receive recognition for your contributions to a field, or that your best work is behind you.Mo Rocca has compiled storie...

28 Aug 202442min

When He's Married to Mom

When He's Married to Mom

Your relationship with your mother is likely the first and most foundational connection in your life. At its best, this bond can be a source of comfort, strength, and love that lasts a lifetime and ch...

26 Aug 202447min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
mikkels-paskenotter
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
treningspodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
rss-bisarr-historie
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid
gravid-uke-for-uke
sinnsyn
level-up-med-anniken-binz
rss-kull
hverdagspsyken
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
rss-bak-luftfarten
hagespiren-podcast
rss-kunsten-a-leve
fryktlos