How to Write a Personal Purpose Statement

A personal purpose statement is one sentence that joins what you value, the strengths you want to use and who you want to help. The template I use is: "Because I value [A, B, and C], I use my strengths for [X, Y, Z] to make a positive impact on [group/cause/person]." Fill in each part with your own answers, then act on it this week.

That's the whole method. The rest of this page is how I fill it in, and what I do so it doesn't end up as a nice sentence in a drawer.

Answer five questions first

Before you write anything, answer these. They come straight from Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs:

• What are your top 3 values right now?
• What strengths do you want to use?
• Who or what do you want to impact?
• What's the one domain you want to master?
• How can you put it all together into a purpose statement?

Notice the words "right now". This isn't a statement for the rest of your life. It's for the life you have today, with whatever you have today. As I put it in the book: "Purpose is a decision you make with whatever you have, right now."

If you get stuck on values, start there. I wrote a separate page on how to find your core values. If strengths are the hard part, see how to find your strengths.

Use the template

Here it is again, in one line:

Because I value [A, B, and C], I use my strengths for [X, Y, Z] to make a positive impact on [group/cause/person].

The book's own example reads: "Because I value growth, honesty, and clarity, I use my strengths for learning, creating, and teaching to help others live more awake and fulfilled lives."

The template asks for three of each.

My own purpose statement

This is mine, as it stands in Chapter 8:

Because I value self-actualization, truth, and peace of mind, I use my strengths for conceptual thinking, self-discipline, and open-mindedness to help individuals master themselves, transform their lives, and raise their consciousness.

Right after it, the book calls it a commitment and a north star, not just a sentence.

Add your fears and three actions (the living version)

In Chapter 9 I added two parts. The longer template reads:

Because I value [your top three values], I use my strengths for [your top three strengths] to make a positive impact on [your chosen group or cause]. I accept my fears and anxieties about [your top three fears], and still, today, I will make conscious, purpose-based commitments to [three specific actions].

Naming the fears makes the statement honest. Mine are not living up to my own standards, being misunderstood and losing my peace of mind. The three actions make it something you can act on today.

Make it a commitment, not a poster

"Desire is everywhere. Commitment is rare." (Chapter 8)

The point of the statement is not to admire it. It's to give your week a direction. "Commitment isn't a cage. Real commitment is a structure that lets your highest self shine through—so you can make progress even when motivation fades."

So after you write it, the book's next step is short: "Write out your purpose statement. Share it. Make it visible. Choose one commitment you can act on this week."

Chapter 8's reflection asks three questions:

• What's one commitment you can make this week to bring your purpose into action?
• Where are you letting "shoulds" or distractions keep you from making a real commitment?
• What systems can you put in place to make your highest values and strengths automatic?

One thing to try today

Write a first draft in 15 minutes. Pick three values, three strengths and one group of people, and put them into the template. Don't polish it. Then write one action for this week underneath and put the page where you plan your days.

If you'd like a guided start, the free purpose self-check walks you through values, strengths and impact one step at a time.

Free: After the Crash, my free book on simple systems for the energy you actually have, covers the planning side: saying no, the not-to-do list and a simple weekly review. The free edition: isakvidinghoff.com/free-book

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Sources

• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "Because I value [A, B, and C], I use my strengths for [X, Y, Z] to make a positive impact on [group/cause/person]."
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "Because I value growth, honesty, and clarity…"
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "Because I value self-actualization, truth, and peace of mind…"
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 9: "I accept my fears and anxieties about [your top three fears]…"
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 3: "Purpose is a decision you make with whatever you have, right now."
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "Desire is everywhere. Commitment is rare."
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "Commitment isn't a cage."
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 11: "Write out your purpose statement. Share it. Make it visible."
• Burnout, Bullshit, and Breakthroughs, Ch 8: "What's one commitment you can make this week to bring your purpose into action?"