The Purpose Code | Jordan Grumet

Update: 2025-01-05

Digest

This podcast features Jordan Grumman and his new book, "The Purpose Code," which focuses on finding life's meaning and purpose beyond financial success. The core concept differentiates "little p-purpose," a process-oriented approach emphasizing joyful activities regardless of outcome, from "big p-purpose," a goal-oriented approach that can lead to a scarcity mindset. The discussion highlights the importance of "enoughness," achieved through positive self-narratives built using narrative therapy to reframe negative past experiences. Finding "purpose anchors"—activities that bring joy—is crucial, and the podcast provides practical steps to identify them, including reflecting on past regrets and childhood joys. The discussion uses financial independence (FI) as an example, showing how it can be pursued as either a "big p-purpose" or a "little p-purpose," emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey. Finally, the podcast explores using various tools (money, relationships, skills) and levers (addition, subtraction, substitution) to create a more purposeful life.

Outlines

00:00:00

Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Success: Little p-Purpose vs. Big p-Purpose

This podcast introduces Jordan Grumman's new book, "The Purpose Code," and explores the core concept of differentiating between "little p-purpose" (process-oriented joy) and "big p-purpose" (goal-oriented achievement). It emphasizes the importance of positive self-narratives and finding joyful activities ("purpose anchors") to build a fulfilling life, regardless of financial status.

00:01:58

Reframing Negative Narratives and Cultivating Enoughness

The podcast discusses how negative past narratives can hinder purpose and introduces narrative therapy as a tool for reframing these narratives. It emphasizes achieving "enoughness" through positive self-perception to facilitate the pursuit of joyful activities.

00:16:24

Practical Steps to Identify and Cultivate Purpose Anchors

This section delves into practical methods for identifying "purpose anchors," including reflecting on past regrets, childhood joys, and current work aspects that bring joy. It also discusses using tools and levers (addition, subtraction, substitution) to create a more purposeful life.

Keywords

Little p-Purpose

Process-oriented purpose; focusing on enjoying activities, regardless of achieving a specific goal; fosters abundance and reduces anxiety.

Big p-Purpose

Goal-oriented purpose; often audacious and potentially leading to a scarcity mindset; success is binary (win/lose).

Purpose Anchors

Activities or interests that spark joy and can form the foundation for building a purposeful life. Identifying these is key to creating a fulfilling life.

Narrative Therapy

A therapeutic approach focusing on reframing past narratives to create a more positive self-perception and improve mental well-being.

Financial Independence (FI)

Can be a "big p-purpose" (the goal itself) or a "little p-purpose" (enjoying the process), impacting agency and control over one's life.

Enoughness

A state of contentment and self-acceptance, crucial for joyful purpose pursuit.

Q&A

What is the fundamental difference between "little p-purpose" and "big p-purpose"?
"Little p-purpose" is process-oriented, focusing on enjoying the journey, while "big p-purpose" is goal-oriented, often leading to a win-or-lose mentality and potential burnout.
How can someone with a negative view of their past ("meaning") find purpose?
By engaging in narrative therapy to reframe past experiences and cultivate a sense of "enoughness," freeing them to pursue joyful activities ("purpose") without needing external validation.
How can someone identify their "purpose anchors"?
Reflect on past regrets, childhood joys, aspects of current work you enjoy, or try new things using a "spaghetti method" to discover activities that bring you joy.
How does financial independence (FI) relate to purpose?
FI can be a "big p-purpose" (the goal itself), but it's more fulfilling as a "little p-purpose," enjoying the process of saving and investing, leading to greater agency and control over one's life.
What is the significance of "the artist of subtraction" in finding purpose?
It's about identifying and eliminating activities that drain energy, focusing on what brings joy and using available tools and levers to reshape your schedule towards a more purposeful life.

Show Notes

Most people obsessed with finding their "life's purpose" are looking in the wrong place. Jordan Grumet, hospice doctor and author of The Purpose Code, spent years at patients' bedsides learning what actually matters at the end of life — and it's not the big, audacious goals we're told to chase.

Brad sits down with Jordan to unpack the difference between "big P purpose" (the goal-oriented, achievement-driven mindset that often leads to burnout) and "little p purpose" (the small, everyday activities that genuinely light you up). Jordan shares how to identify your personal "purpose anchors" by mining childhood joys and reframing regrets, then building a life around those insights through clarity, agency, and incremental change.

Understanding Little P Purpose vs. Big P Purpose (00:01:43 )
Big P purpose is goal-oriented and often feels like a scarcity mindset, whereas little p purpose is about engaging in activities that bring joy without the pressure of specific goals.

The Role of Meaning in Happiness (00:03:28 )
Happiness is derived from both meaning (derived from the past) and purpose (driving present actions).

Identifying Purpose Anchors (00:17:02 )
Jordan explains the importance of purpose anchors, small activities that light you up, and provides strategies to identify them.

Practical Strategies for Creating Purpose (00:16:37 )
Steps to create a meaningful life around little p purpose, emphasizing actionable changes.

Key Insights:

Little p purpose focuses on enjoyment and engagement rather than large achievements
Every step counts. "Little p purpose can create big impacts." (00:36:26 )

Purpose is not found; it's created (00:16:37 )
Focus on engagement in joyous activities rather than waiting for purpose to reveal itself.

Use regrets as insights (00:18:06 )
Reflect on what truly matters to you through narrative therapy techniques that reframe past experiences.

Schedule time for joy (00:30:20 )
Actively create a schedule filled with purpose-driven actions to enhance fulfillment.

Connection follows engagement (00:38:01 )
Pursuing activities that light you up leads to meaningful connections with others.

Action Items:

Reflect on activities that spark joy or interest and incorporate them into your routine (00:17:32 )

Utilize narrative therapy techniques to change your perspective on past experiences (00:18:30 )

Create a weekly list of activities that bring you happiness and prioritize them in your life (00:36:06 )

Notable Quotes:

"You create your purpose, don't just find it." (00:16:37 )

"Little p purpose can create big impacts." (00:36:26 )

"To have a good death, live a good life." (00:35:17 )

"Choose to be in a good mood; it shapes your life." (00:06:00 )

Related Resources:

The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by Jordan Grumet

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