Your life mission is far more than a checklist of questions: What am I good at? What can I get paid for? What does the world need? What do I love? While these questions can guide you toward a fulfilling life, they don’t always connect you to your deeper purpose.
Watch Daniel Goodenough’s full video for more on this conversation:
We often confuse passion with love. If you say you love many things, imagine committing an hour each week to each of those things. You’ll quickly realize that not all of them hold the depth of love you thought they did. The truth is, you probably love just a few things deeply, and that’s where the true inquiry begins.
Answering the basic questions above can help you understand your outer life mission—the work you're called to do in the world. But that’s only part of the story. Your inner life mission—the person you are meant to become—is just as vital. The two are intertwined: as you evolve, so does your work. This process isn’t one-and-done. It’s an ongoing conversation.
Major life transitions like a job loss, personal crisis, or societal change force you to rethink your life mission. Who you are changes, and so does what you do. These moments highlight that life isn’t static; it’s constantly evolving. You can’t expect your mission to remain the same, and you can’t afford to think you’ve got it all figured out.
Mastery requires ongoing engagement. Just as the legendary cellist Pablo Casals practiced for hours every day, we must continuously refine our understanding of who we are and what we’re called to do. It’s not just about the title or role we hold. It’s about the impact of our actions.
Ask yourself: Is what I’m doing truly fulfilling my deeper purpose? Is it making the world a better place? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. Life is a living inquiry, and your mission will evolve with you. Keep asking, keep engaging, and stay present to how you’re transforming. It’s an ongoing conversation worth having.