What if my job pays well but I don't love it – is passion for money okay?

While there's no shame in not living your purpose, if you're primarily motivated by money, it's unlikely to be your true purpose. The advice is to be creative about making money, as there are infinite ways to do so, allowing you to find work that also aligns with your purpose.

Should I quit my job to find my purpose?

Before quitting, try experimenting with authenticity in your current role for about 30 days. Ask yourself how you would act if you were living your purpose, and observe if your approach or the environment shifts. This helps determine if the issue is 'what' you're doing or 'how' you're doing it.

What is the 'tyranny of purpose'?

The 'tyranny of purpose' refers to the pressure of finding one singular 'true purpose,' which can be as restrictive as traditional career paths. It replaces the idea of climbing a corporate ladder with the expectation of discovering an ultimate life purpose, leading to self-criticism if not found.

How does experimentation help in finding purpose?

Purpose is a series of experimentations. By trying different things, following your curiosity, and saying 'yes' to what excites you, you discover aspects of yourself and potential paths you might not have otherwise found. This process shapes your life's purpose organically.

Is it better to follow a narrow passion or a broad one?

It's generally better to follow a broad passion. A narrow passion, like doing only black and white charcoal art, can lead to rejection if the world doesn't accept that specific instantiation. A broader passion, like wanting to have an impact or be creative, offers thousands of ways to be expressed and can be more financially viable.

How can I trust my feelings if they seem ridiculous or unrealistic?

Our wants evolve. While initial feelings might seem unrealistic, they often point to deeper needs (e.g., wanting ice cream might stem from a need for safety or calm). By exploring the underlying needs, you can find authentic desires. The key is to experiment and see how the world responds to your authentic self.

Key Moments

How to Find Your Life’s Purpose

Ali Abdaal

Education3 min read54 min video

Oct 20, 2025|115,848 views|2,956|254

Ali Abdaal Ali abdal

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Find your life's purpose through self-reflection, creative problem-solving, and authentic experimentation.

Key Insights

Purpose is not found in the future but lived in the present moment.

Recognize if you're not living your purpose by checking if you'd sell your work for a large sum or if you're living for future rewards.

Address the 'money problem' by thinking creatively about how to align income with purpose, rather than using it as an excuse.

Experiment with authenticity in your current role to see if the issue is *what* you're doing or *how* you're doing it.

Cut self-criticism; purpose is found through experimentation and action, not just contemplation.

Follow your passion broadly and be adaptable to its various manifestations, rather than rigidly pursuing a narrow definition.

STEP 1: CONDUCT A PURPOSE AUDIT

The first step in finding your purpose involves a self-assessment to determine if you are currently living it. A key indicator is whether you would refuse a hypothetical, extremely lucrative offer to stop doing what you do. If money is the primary motivator, or if you're living for future rewards rather than present satisfaction, it's a sign you may not be aligned with your true purpose. Recognizing this disconnect, even if it involves acknowledging societal pressures or 'shoulds,' is crucial for initiating the journey towards purpose.

STEP 2: THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT THE MONEY PROBLEM

Many people feel trapped by financial needs, believing they cannot pursue their purpose because it doesn't pay well. This perspective often stems from fear and binary thinking. The advice is to approach the 'money problem' creatively, recognizing that there are infinite ways to earn a living. Instead of thinking 'I must keep this specific job,' consider exploring the numerous avenues within your current field or adjacent ones. If current income is essential, view it as a temporary bridge while you develop alternative income streams aligned with your passions.

STEP 3: EXPERIMENT WITH AUTHENTICITY

Before making drastic career changes, try embodying your authentic self within your current situation. For 30 days, consciously act as if you are living your purpose daily, asking how you would approach tasks, interactions, and decisions if you were fully aligned. This experiment helps reveal whether the problem lies in the nature of the work itself or in *how* you're performing it. Often, showing up authentically causes the environment or opportunities to shift in your favor, attracting like-minded people and situations.

STEP 4: CUT THE SELF-CRITICISM

The search for purpose can lead to self-criticism and the feeling of being a failure for not having it figured out. This 'tyranny of purpose' replaces traditional career pressures with a new, equally restrictive expectation. It's essential to cease this self-abuse, as it hinders genuine progress. Purpose is not a destination to be found through overthinking but an experience that unfolds through action, experimentation, and living fully in the present, not a future idealized state.

STEP 5: FIND PURPOSE IN THE PRESENT AND THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION

Purpose is found in the 'how' you do things, not just the 'what.' It's about living authentically and with passion in the current moment. By embracing curiosity, experimenting with interests, and saying 'yes' to exciting opportunities, you begin to craft your life's purpose organically. This journey is less about finding a singular, predefined path and more about the ongoing process of exploration, learning, and adapting, much like Steve Jobs' serendipitous journey with calligraphy influencing Apple's design.

BROADENING THE DEFINITION OF PASSION

The common advice to 'follow your passion' can be misleading if interpreted too narrowly. True passion is often broad, encompassing underlying principles like creativity, problem-solving, or making an impact, rather than a single, specific activity. When passion is defined broadly, there are numerous ways to manifest it, including financially viable ones. A rigid, narrow pursuit of passion can lead to rejection and disillusionment, whereas a broader approach allows for adaptability, innovation, and greater fulfillment.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Books

●People Referenced

Finding Your Life's Purpose: A 5-Step Roadmap

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Conduct a purpose audit: Ask if you'd sell your work for a billion dollars, if you're living for future rewards, or if you feel societal/family pressure.

Think creatively about the money problem: Recognize infinite ways to make money and avoid binary, fear-based thinking.

Experiment with authenticity for 30 days: Act as if you are living your purpose fully and authentically in your current role.

Cut self-criticism: Stop judging yourself for not having found your 'one true purpose' yet.

Find purpose in the present: Focus on how you do things, not just what you do, and embrace experimentation and curiosity.

Avoid This

Don't constantly search for purpose in the future; it's found in the present moment.

Don't use societal or familial expectations as the sole basis for your career choices.

Don't let fear dictate your decisions regarding your work or career path.

Don't narrowly define your passion; embrace broad passions and various ways to express them.

Don't get stuck in the 'tyranny of purpose,' where the pressure to find one ultimate purpose becomes restrictive.

Common Questions

According to Joe Hudson, you're likely living your purpose if you can't be bought off from what you're doing, even for a billion dollars. More practically, it's a feeling of passion and fulfillment in the present moment, not relying on future rewards or succumbing to societal 'shoulds.'