Take time to see the big picture
The individuals who expressed a clear goal in life - something to get up for in the morning, something that made a difference - lived longer and were sharper than those who did not. A sense of purpose may come from something as simple as seeing that children or grandchildren grow up well. Purpose can come from a job or a hobby, especially if you can immerse yourself completely in it. Its characterized by a sense of freedom, enjoyment, fulfillment, and skill, and while you are in it, temporal concerns(time, food, ego/self, etc) are typically ignored. If you can identify the activity that gives you this sense of flow and make it the focus of your job or hobby, it can also become your sense of purpose.
A new activity can give you purpose as well. Learning a musical instrument or a new language give you a double bonus, since both have been shown to help keep your brain sharper longer.
Lesson Five strategies
To realize your purpose, try the following tips
Craft a personal mission statement
If you don't have a sense of purpose, how do you find it? Articulating your personal mission statement can be a good start. Begin by answering this question in a single, memorable sentence: why do you get up in the morning? Consider what you are passionate about, how you enjoy using your talents, and what is truly important to you.
Find a partner
Find someone to whom you can communicate your life purpose, along with a plan for realizing it. It can be a friend, a family member, a spouse, a colleague - as long as its someone who can help you honestly assess your plan and your successes.
Learn something new
Take up a musical instrument or learn a new language. Both activities are among the most powerful things you can do to preserve your mental sharpness.
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