Instructions

Before you Begin

• This practice can be used on its own, but is meant to be the first in a series of practices that help students discover or begin their search for purpose.
• Students can also do the entire series of practices online for free at www.purposechallenge.org. Have them click on “Toolkit” and then register for an account. When they finish the practices, they will receive a digital record of their written answers for each exercise in addition to instructions on how to take these answers and turn them into a college entrance essay.

Setting up the Activity

• Begin by telling students that this practice (and subsequent practices, if possible) will help them answer the questions: What am I meant to do? What gives my life meaning? How do I want to contribute to the world? In other words, it will help them identify or put them on the road to discovering their purpose.
• Tell students:
  • Having a sense of purpose means being committed to something that is meaningful to you, but also makes a difference to something bigger than yourself. How you want to leave your mark on the world and make it a better place, how you want your life to have mattered…that’s what purpose is.
• Show students the Purpose in Life Video Introduction (9:08). As they watch the video, ask students to think about who they know or perhaps current or historical persons who have a strong purpose in life.
• On their own, with a partner, or in a small group, ask students to identify two or three people whom they believe have a strong sense of purpose and what each person’s purpose is. They could be people they know, famous people, or people from history. Share with the class.
• Tell students:
  • As you think about what is most meaningful in your own life, it may be helpful to get some insight from people who know you well.
  • They may help you see things about yourself that you did not recognize, or solidify things you already knew.
• Distribute the handout to each student and explain to the class that they will send the email on the handout to five adults they respect and who know them well (if students have a hard time identifying five adults, let them know that fewer is okay). Encourage them to send the emails to a variety of people, such as a coach or mentor, a close friend, or a family member.
• Let students know that they may not receive a response, or may receive a response that they do not agree with—both of which are okay. The goal is for them to reflect on what is meaningful in their lives.
• Tell students that they will do a follow-up reflection with the responses in a couple of weeks.

Two-week Follow-up

• Ask students to write a short reflection synthesizing people’s responses. Do they agree or disagree with what people told them? Did they learn anything about themselves or were they surprised by something? Did they receive any helpful advice on how to achieve their goals? Overall, how might they use this information to help them discover their purpose?
• Ask for student volunteers to share.

Closure

• Ask students to reflect on this process. Was it helpful? Would they recommend this practice to other students?

Source

The Purpose Challenge Toolkit was created by Dr. Kendall Cotton-Bronk in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center and Prosocial. For more information, visit www.purposechallenge.org

Evidence That It Works

Studies find that pursuing one’s purpose is associated with psychological well-being. For example, compared to others, people with purpose report they are happier, more satisfied with their lives, and more hopeful about the future.

For teens, purpose is related to indicators of academic success, such as grit, resilience, and a belief that one’s work is feasible and manageable.

Why Does It Matter?

In spite of the benefits, only about 20% of adolescents lead lives of purpose. Granted, the developmental task of teenagers is to discover who they are (identity) and what they want to accomplish that benefits the world (purpose); however, students who have a sense of purpose or are actively looking for one are propelled by a personally meaningful and highly motivating aim—they know what they hope to achieve and how academics can help. Hence, they are more likely to work hard and excel in school.