Pursuing Purpose Leads to Longevity

Longevity has been a buzzword over the last couple of years. There’s no shortage of information. Eat this. Wear this monitor. Read this book. Listen to this podcast.

I think what we consume and do not consume matters. I’m making efforts to be healthier. But I also believe that many of those who thrive into their later years are people who live with the deepest sense of purpose. Purpose is different than simply being happy, it’s about pursuing things that matter.

A groundbreaking 23-year study has just confirmed what I've seen firsthand: having a sense of purpose is actually a stronger predictor of longevity than life satisfaction. This research reveals a profound truth that challenges our modern obsession with the pursuit of happiness.

The evidence is compelling. Researchers who followed participants for more than two decades discovered that when purpose in life (meaning) and life satisfaction (happiness) were compared head-to-head as predictors of longevity, purpose emerged as the clear winner.

This isn't just interesting science – it's a wake-up call for how we structure our lives and organizations. We've been sold a cultural narrative that happiness should be our ultimate goal. But what if that actually limits our potential and even our lifespan?

Adam Grant captured this brilliantly when he noted: "It's nice to feel happy today. It's important to have something to strive for tomorrow."

Think about it: happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes based on circumstances. Purpose, however, can carry you through both the mountain peaks and the valleys of life. Purpose guides you when everything else seems uncertain.

What This Means for Leaders

As leaders, we have a responsibility that extends beyond creating "happy" workplaces. The real challenge is helping our teams connect with something meaningful – work that serves a purpose beyond the paycheck.

I've often said, "When the purpose is clear, the mundane becomes meaningful." This simple truth can transform how your team approaches even the most routine aspects of their work.

One of the most impressive examples of purpose-driven leadership I've seen comes from KPMG's "10,000 Stories Challenge." When KPMG's leadership realized they needed to strengthen their organizational purpose, they didn't hire consultants to craft a statement. Instead, they invited their 27,000 employees to share stories about how their work was making a difference.

The goal was 10,000 stories. They received 42,000.

This initiative fundamentally changed how employees viewed their work. By articulating how their individual contributions served a greater purpose, people discovered new meaning in tasks they had previously considered mundane. Pride in employees’ work increased, and more employees reported that KPMG was a great place to work than previously.

How to Prioritize Purpose

Purpose isn't something you find in a weekend workshop. It's cultivated through intentional choices and consistent action. Here are three strategies I've seen work for leaders at all levels:

1. Connect your daily tasks to your deeper values. Even mundane work can be meaningful when you understand how it serves something you genuinely care about.
2. Invest in legacy thinking. Regularly ask yourself: "What am I building that will outlast me?" Over the past year, I’ve been exploring how to do this with my friend Eric Blumenthal on our podcast Legacy Makers aimed at encouraging dads.
3. Surround yourself with people who value your purpose. Your perspective is shaped by the people you spend time with. We see this beyond our professional work: one study showed that grandparents who helped with care of their grandchild had a 37% chance of living longer over a 20 year span.

Remember this:

Purpose is both a compass and an anchor. It provides direction when we're uncertain and stability when we're overwhelmed.

The next time you find yourself chasing happiness, pause and ask a deeper question: "What gives my life meaning?" The answer might not just improve your day – according to the science, it could extend your years.

And that's a purpose worth pursuing.

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