Image: Oliver Jeffers

This week I had the good fortune to return to SXSW to speak about an idea that will come more fully into the world next year in the form of my next book. The talk focused on how, from ikigais and “find your why”, we’ve been sold a myth that there’s a world where one perfectly architected phrase can point us in the direction of purpose.

Purpose is fickle. At times, grandiosity expands our vision to such a degree that we imagine a life’s purpose that is too big to ever truly get our arms around. At other times, finite vision and limiting beliefs can hold us back from forming something that feels truly inspired. Finding the “Goldilocks” state for purpose is ephemeral at best and impossible at worst.

Instead, I shared a new way of thinking about what we do with the short time we get on this mortal coil. The argument is framed as a shift from North Star Thinking to Constellation Thinking.

As our dear uncle Walt Wittman reminded us, we contain multitudes. How can we, bearing that in mind, find a single point on the horizon to adequately navigate ourselves. And when life changes and the earth shifts below our feet, those wobbles inherently disorient us from our intended destination. But in truth, it isn’t (and never was) about the destination. It’s about what we use to wayfind in moments of distress and how we gather ourselves back together when we’re knocked off course to get back on track. The durability of a constellation is in its weaving of different yet equally important points in the sky. Not placing too much weight on a single star, it’s the sum greater than its parts that makes a constellation, and the mythmaking that sits within it, so powerful and resonant.

Over these past few years, a framework emerged for purpose making. In it, I’ve arrived at 13 criteria to help us focus our efforts. Each on their own can never be satisfied by a single endeavor. Instead, if we use these 13 “points of light” to evaluate the things we pour ourselves into, the things we choose to pursue with intention, we’ll arrive at our next right actions. The things that will collectively make our personal constellation feel fully complete.

These points of light include:

Origins – Where have we been and where are we going?
Every journey begins with where you’ve been. Our past is not just a collection of moments—it’s a foundation, a map of experiences, lessons, and influences that shape who we are and point us toward where we’re going. To truly understand our purpose, we must first understand our origins. This involves examining the patterns we’ve inherited, the strengths we’ve cultivated, and the challenges we’ve overcome. It’s about honoring the story we’ve lived while looking ahead to the legacy each of us wish to build.

Identity – Who have we become (so far)?
Who are we at our core? Identity is the lens through which we experience the world, the foundation of our values, emotional needs, and the way we project ourselves outwardly. To live with purpose, it’s essential to align actions with who we truly are—not the version shaped by external expectations, but the one rooted in intrinsic values and authentic personality. Purpose thrives when our outer life is a reflection of our inner truth.

Wounds – What are we trying to heal?
Every wound carries a story, and every story holds the potential for transformation. The challenges we face in life often become the crucible for our greatest growth, shaping us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. To live with purpose, it’s vital to confront these wounds, to understand how they’ve influenced our path, and to transform them into sources of strength. Far from being weaknesses, our vulnerabilities are often the keys to our most meaningful contributions.

Ambitions – What are we striving for?
Ambition is the fuel that propels us toward meaningful achievement. It’s the part of purpose that ties directly to what we create and contribute through our careers, public life, and aspirations. Yet ambition isn’t just about climbing the ladder or checking boxes—it’s about ensuring that the goals we pursue align with our deeper values and the broader vision we have for our lives. Purpose-driven ambition allows us to connect what we do with who we are and what we stand for.

Relationships – Who are the company we keep?
Purpose is rarely a solitary pursuit. The relationships we build—whether through friendships, partnerships, or communities—are vital threads in the fabric of a meaningful life. Fulfilling relationships provide support, connection, and a sense of belonging, grounding us as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of our journey. The people we surround ourselves with not only shape who we are but also remind us of the shared humanity that underpins our individual aspirations.

Expression – How do we share ourselves?
Creativity is one of the most powerful ways we connect with ourselves and others. It’s a channel for self-expression, a source of joy, and often a pathway for healing. When we create—whether through art, writing, music, or other forms—we share a piece of our unique voice with the world. Purpose thrives in these moments of authenticity, creating things that reflect who we truly are and resonating with others in ways that words alone cannot.

Service – How and what do we serve?
True purpose often reveals itself in how we contribute to something larger than ourselves. Acts of serving something bigger. When we serve, we step outside of our own concerns and align with the needs of others, creating a bridge between personal purpose and shared humanity. Service is where purpose takes action—it’s how we give back and make an impact.

Wellbeing – How are we practicing physical and mental caretaking?
Purpose cannot thrive without a strong foundation, and that foundation begins with health. Physical vitality and mental well-being are the bedrock for sustaining the energy, focus, and clarity needed to pursue a meaningful life. When we neglect our relationship with our body and mind, pursuits can feel unsustainable or incomplete. Purpose flows more freely when we nurture our wellbeing, creating a stable base from which to grow, explore, and contribute.

Beliefs – Where is our connection to something greater?
Purpose often finds its deepest roots when we look beyond ourselves. Whether through spirituality, nature, or a connection to the cosmos, aligning with something greater provides a sense of meaning and perspective that grounds us in the vastness of existence. It reminds us that while our individual lives are significant, it’s also part of a larger, interconnected whole. This connection can be a source of comfort, clarity, and inspiration, especially during times of uncertainty.

Place – Where are we most rooted?
Where we are shapes who we are. Our physical and cultural environments profoundly influence our identity, values, and sense of purpose. The places we live, the communities we inhabit, and the natural landscapes we engage with can either nurture our growth or present obstacles to overcome. Purpose doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it is shaped and supported by the surroundings that ground us, offering stability, inspiration, or even the push to seek something different.

Pleasure – Where do we find joy?
Purpose may give life meaning, but play gives it sparkle. In a world that often glorifies productivity and achievement, play and joy are vital reminders of life’s beauty and wonder. These moments of curiosity, exploration, and unbridled pleasure don’t just lighten our burdens—they re-energize us, inspire creativity, and keep us grounded in the present. Play balances the intensity of purpose-driven work by offering moments of freedom and delight, reminding us that we are more than what we achieve.

Wisdom – What is the knowledge you are seeking?
Purpose is a journey, not a destination—and along that journey, curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge serve as essential guides. Learning is not limited to formal education; it is a lifelong practice, an evolving process of growth through experience, reflection, and exploration. Whether it’s studying new ideas, acquiring skills, or deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, seeking wisdom is a cornerstone of a purposeful life.

Legacy – What’s the mark you wish to leave?
What will remain when our story is told? For many, purpose finds its ultimate expression in the impact we leave behind—the ripples of our actions that extend beyond our individual lives. Legacy is not simply about fame or fortune; it’s about contributing something meaningful and enduring to the world, something that benefits others long after we’re gone. Whether through small, personal actions or sweeping, transformative efforts, the question of how we will be remembered lies at the heart of a life of purpose.

I don’t share this today with all of you to pretend I have any answers. In fact, in recent years, if I’ve learned anything it’s that I have seismically deep questions that require time to excavate further. It’s no secret that life be lifeing for all of us. These days, the world is a complicated and scary place. But that’s no excuse to pull back from building a life grounded in these principles. To the contrary, perhaps it’s exactly what the moment is calling us toward.

Our purpose is waiting for us on the path. I hope each of us find the courage to take the next right step.

Take good care,

MV