In this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren sits down with Patrick Hill, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Hill's research focuses on purpose and identity development, and he offers a fresh perspectives on what it means to live a purposeful life.
Hill received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame and his BA from Indiana University. His research program examines how to cultivate a life direction and how purpose promotes adaptive lifespan development.
Hill's work challenges traditional notions of purpose; presenting it not as a lofty, unattainable goal, but as something adaptable, accessible, and actionable in our everyday lives. His insights shed light on the role of purpose in well-being, personal growth, and even physical health, often in unexpected ways.
Redefining Purpose
To start, Hill introduces a nuanced understanding of purpose, breaking it down into three key elements:
Self-defining: Purpose should be personally attached and definitive.
Engaging and energizing: It should lead to greater life engagement and personal agency.
Future-oriented: Purpose provides direction and intentionality.
Hill emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between "big P" Purpose - often seen as world-changing and potentially anxiety-inducing - and "small p" purpose, which focuses on everyday actions that provide direction and lead to positive outcomes. This shift in perspective makes purpose more accessible and actionable for individuals in their daily lives.
"Purpose is this self-defining, self-informative life aim that gives you a direction towards engagement in life from one day to the next, one year to the next throughout the lifespan."
The Three A's of Purpose
Hill introduces the concept of purpose being adaptable, accessible, and actionable:
Adaptable: Purpose should evolve with an individual's life circumstances.
Accessible: It should be attainable for everyone, not just a privileged few.
Actionable: Purpose should guide daily decisions and behaviors.
This framework helps demystify purpose and makes it more approachable for individuals who might feel overwhelmed by traditional, lofty notions of purpose.
Challenges and Considerations
One significant challenge Hill addresses is "purpose anxiety" - the stress and pressure individuals feel when asked to define their life's purpose. This anxiety can be particularly prevalent in workplace settings where employees are asked to align with organizational purpose statements.
Hill suggests that instead of focusing on grand, overarching purposes, individuals and organizations should concentrate on identifying smaller, more immediate sources of meaning and direction. This approach can help alleviate anxiety and make purpose more accessible to everyone.
Hill's Model: Sense of Purpose
Dr. Hill's research emphasizes the importance of fostering a "sense of purpose" rather than identifying a single, grand purpose. This model focuses on:
Feeling a sense of direction
Having goals that provide personal definition
Engaging in activities that energize and feel meaningful
This approach has been linked to various positive outcomes, including reduced risk of cognitive impairment, lower mortality rates, and improved well-being.
Practical Applications and Implications
For individuals:
Reflect on daily activities that provide a sense of direction and energy
Engage in dialogue about purpose with peers and colleagues
Focus on building a sense of purpose rather than defining a single, grand purpose
For organizations:
Foster environments where employees can discuss and explore purpose
Break down organizational purpose into specific, actionable activities
Allow for individual interpretation and alignment with organizational purpose
Hill emphasizes the importance of dialogue in exploring purpose:
"The most important thing for the purpose anxiety is having the scaffolding and the social connections along the way to help you explore."
Conclusion
Patrick Hill's research offers a refreshing and practical approach to understanding purpose in our lives and work. By reframing purpose as something adaptable, accessible, and actionable, Hill provides a pathway for individuals and organizations to cultivate meaningful engagement without the anxiety often associated with grand purpose statements.
As we navigate the complexities of modern work life, this nuanced understanding of purpose can help foster environments where individuals can thrive, find direction, and contribute meaningfully - not just to their organizations but to their own sense of fulfillment and well-being.
Resources for Further Exploration
PATH Lab website at Washington University: [https://www.pathlabwustl.com/]
Dr. Hill's research publications: [https://psych.wustl.edu/people/patrick-hill]