an online book by David Gurteen
Purpose is the reason or intention behind something’s existence or the desired outcome or goal it aims to achieve.
Purpose is the end for which something is done, created or for which it exists. Purpose is an abiding intention to achieve a long-term goal that is both personally meaningful and makes a positive mark on the world. It is part of the topic of intentionality and goal-seeking behavior.
Related concepts and subjects:
A new future is created when each gathering (or meeting) becomes an opportunity to deepen accountability and commitment through engagement. It doesn’t matter what the stated purpose of the gathering is. Each gathering serves two functions: (1) to address its stated purpose and (2) to be an occasion for each person to decide to become … Continue reading A Gathering Serves Two Functions Peter Block
Gurteen Knowledge Blog March 7, 2022, 17:02We all care about our own well-being and the well-being of our family. It’s our prime purpose to look after ourselves and our loved ones. Most of us live our whole lives thinking mainly about ourselves, our careers, and our families. We may give to charity, do a little in … Continue reading We Have Two Purposes in Life A personal one and a societal one
Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life, he can only respond by being responsible. Credit: Viktor … Continue reading Each Man Is Questioned by Life Viktor Frankl
Leadership begins with understanding that every gathering is an opportunity to deepen accountability and commitment through engagement. It doesn’t matter what the stated purpose of the gathering is. Each gathering serves two functions: to address its stated purpose, its business issues; and to be an occasion for each person to decide to become engaged as … Continue reading How Leadership Begins Peter Block
Longtermism We Are Stardust Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In this chapter, I explore our evolutionary journey, which extends from the moment of the Big Bang to the eventual destiny of the Universe. In the context of this journey, I also delve into speculation concerning both individual purpose and humanity’s overarching purpose. The … Continue reading Introduction: Our Evolutionary Journey From the Big Bang to the universe’s death
Post-biological Evolution ** The Meaning of Purpose ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter We tend to think everything has a purpose and is designed to fulfill an objective, but is this true? Some things exist simply because they contributed to their survival and reproduction, not because they fulfilled some grand design. Teleology is … Continue reading Understanding Teleology Exploring the concept of teleology
Understanding Teleology Fundamental Questions About Human Life ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Understanding “purpose” is key to exploring questions about life’s meaning or the universe’s purpose. The term encompasses reasons, goals, and intended outcomes of actions or objects. While purpose is often seen as a guiding principle, it’s important to differentiate between … Continue reading The Meaning of Purpose ** Purpose has a nuanced meaning
The Meaning of Purpose ** Why Does Human Life Exist? ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter There are three fundamental ‘purpose’ questions about human life, ‘Why does human life exist?’, ‘What is the purpose or meaning of human life and ‘What is the purpose of humanity?’ These are deeply philosophical, thought-provoking questions. The … Continue reading Fundamental Questions About Human Life ** Whis is the purpose of life and humanity?
Why Does Human Life Exist? ** What Is the Purpose of Humanity ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is the meaning of life from an individual perspective? In other words, what is my or your purpose for being here? There is no single definitive meaning of life that applies to everyone. We … Continue reading What Is the Purpose of Life? ** What is the meaning of an individual human life?
What Is the Purpose of Life? ** Longtermism Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter “What is the purpose of humanity?” contemplates the meaning of humanity as a whole. Not “What is my purpose?” but “What is our collective purpose?” The purpose of humanity, specifically in the context of society, like the previous two questions … Continue reading What Is the Purpose of Humanity ** What is our collective purpose?
The Value of Conversation ** Conversational Capacities Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Real conversation serves one or more purposes. In The Patterns of Effective Conversation, Dave Pollard lists ten generic purposes of conversation. The list below is an adaptation of his list, in which I have modified or expanded some of the descriptions and … Continue reading The Purposes of Conversation Real conversation serves one or more purposes
Knowledge Café: Design Checklist Knowledge Café: Roles Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Every Knowledge Café should be designed for a specific purpose or intent. It’s not just about having learning conversations, although this is one of the primary uses. You start with the business purpose and design a Café to fulfill that aim. … Continue reading Knowledge Café: Purpose Every Knowledge Café should have a clear purpose
Videos: Knowledge Cafés Introduction: Knowledge Café Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Given that the outcomes of the Knowledge Café are sometimes seen as “soft” by more hard-nosed, results-focused managers and by those working under time pressure, you may have difficulty convincing people of their value. So it is essential to think carefully about how … Continue reading Knowledge Café: Getting Started Make an impact
