Summary of "Jordan Grumet: The Purpose Code" on The Long View
Release Date: January 7, 2025
In this insightful episode of The Long View, hosted by Christine Benz from Morningstar, Jordan Grummet returns to delve deep into the concept of purpose, its impact on happiness, and its intricate relationship with financial independence. Drawing upon his experiences as a hospice doctor and insights from his latest book, The Purpose Code, Grummet offers listeners a comprehensive guide to unlocking meaningful living.
1. Introduction and Book Genesis
Christine Benz (00:32): Welcomes Jordan Grummet, author of The Purpose Code and Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life. She inquires about the catalyst behind his focus on purpose.
Jordan Grummet (01:30): Explains that initial feedback on his first book, which emphasized prioritizing purpose over financial frameworks, revealed widespread frustration. Many expressed difficulty in identifying their purpose, leading him to explore the paradox where purpose is both crucial and anxiety-inducing. This exploration became the foundation for The Purpose Code.
2. Defining Purpose: Meaning vs. Purpose
Christine Benz (02:33): Requests a clear definition of purpose as Grummet perceives it.
Jordan Grummet (02:46): Distinguishes between meaning and purpose. While meaning relates to our cognitive understanding of the past and personal narratives, purpose is action-oriented, focusing on present and future endeavors that engage us.
Notable Quote (03:53):
"Meaning is about the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves... Purpose is about the present and future, and it's all about actions." (03:53)
3. Personal Narratives and Happiness
Christine Benz (03:14): Highlights the distinction between heroic and victim narratives in personal stories and their impact on happiness.
Jordan Grummet (03:53): Elaborates that happy individuals often view their life stories heroically, believing they are "enough," while unhappy individuals adopt a victim narrative, perceiving obstacles as insurmountable. He uses Elon Musk as an example of someone with immense achievements but potential meaning struggles due to unresolved past traumas.
Notable Example (05:50): Grummet recounts the story of twin siblings with identical upbringings but divergent life narratives—one viewing life heroically and the other as a victim—illustrating how meaning influences present happiness. (05:50)
4. Reversing Negative Narratives
Christine Benz (08:03): Asks if negative, victim-oriented narratives can be transformed.
Jordan Grummet (08:18): Affirms, introducing narrative therapy as a method to rewrite life stories positively. Techniques include isolating and reshaping trauma narratives to view oneself as an innocent party affected by circumstances, thereby fostering a sense of self-worth and resilience.
5. Purpose and Its Impact on Health and Happiness
Christine Benz (09:12): Inquires about empirical data supporting the significance of purpose.
Jordan Grummet (09:36): Cites numerous studies indicating that a strong sense of purpose correlates with longevity, better health, and increased happiness. However, he also acknowledges studies showing that an intense search for purpose can lead to anxiety.
Notable Quote (12:02):
"People who have a sense of purpose tend to have fewer regrets when they're dying because they pursued what was most deeply important to them." (12:02)
6. The Concept of Purpose Anxiety
Christine Benz (14:08): Brings up "purpose anxiety" and seeks clarification.
Jordan Grummet (14:29): Identifies two main sources of purpose anxiety:
- Societal Pressure: The belief that everyone must have a grand, singular purpose leads to overwhelming stress.
- Commercial Influence: Marketers and influencers promote unrealistic versions of purposeful living, such as achieving six-pack abs or starting multi-million-dollar businesses, which are unattainable for many and exacerbate feelings of inadequacy.
Notable Quote (14:29):
"Up to 91% of people at some point in their life have purpose anxiety." (14:29)
7. Big P vs. little p Purpose
Christine Benz (17:00): Requests an explanation of the dual concepts of purpose.
Jordan Grummet (17:06): Introduces Big P Purpose and little p purpose:
-
Big P Purpose: Goal-oriented, often grand and audacious, such as becoming a billionaire. It operates on a scarcity mindset, where success is all-or-nothing, leading to high stakes and potential disappointment.
Example: Striving for millions of podcast downloads can be stressful if the daily activities leading to this milestone are unenjoyable.
-
little p Purpose: Process-oriented, focusing on actions that bring joy regardless of outcomes. It embodies an abundance mindset, allowing fulfillment without the pressure of achieving a specific end goal.
Example: Grummet enjoys podcasting purely for the act of interviewing, irrespective of the number of downloads.
Notable Quote (17:06):
"Big P purpose is goal-oriented and often very hard to achieve... Little p purpose is all about the process and enjoying the actions we take." (17:06)
8. Money, Happiness, and Purpose
Christine Benz (25:22): References research on the relationship between income and happiness.
Jordan Grummet (25:50): Critiques studies like Kahneman and Deaton (2012) and Killingsworth (2016) that suggest happiness plateaus beyond a certain income level (approximately $70,000). He introduces data from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which emphasizes interpersonal connections over wealth as the primary driver of long-term happiness.
Notable Quote (25:50):
"The biggest thing associated with happiness was not wealth... it was interpersonal connections." (25:50)
9. Purpose Without Privilege
Christine Benz (45:25): Questions whether purpose is a privilege of the financially well-off.
Jordan Grummet (46:02): Argues that purpose is accessible to all, irrespective of economic status. He emphasizes using available tools such as relationships, passions, and skills to cultivate purpose. For younger individuals or those with fewer financial burdens, this might involve side projects or hobby pursuits that bring joy and meaning.
Notable Quote (46:02):
"We have lots of other things besides money that we can use as tools to pursue purpose." (46:02)
10. Finding little p Purpose
Christine Benz (32:11): Asks for practical steps to discover little p purpose.
Jordan Grummet (32:40): Outlines methods to identify purpose anchors:
- Life Review: Reflecting on past experiences, especially regrets, to uncover what truly matters.
- Art of Subtraction: Eliminating disliked activities to identify what remains enjoyable.
- Joys of Childhood: Revisiting childhood passions that may have been sidelined.
- Spaghetti Method: Experimenting with various activities to discover what resonates.
Notable Quote (32:40):
"Little p purpose is about finding what you love doing and integrating it into your life, regardless of the outcome." (32:40)
11. Purpose in Retirement
Christine Benz (50:15): Shifts focus to retirement as a prime period for pursuing purpose.
Jordan Grummet (50:41): Highlights retirement as an ideal stage to engage deeply with little p purposes due to increased free time and reduced career obligations. He advises retirees to prioritize activities they enjoy, ensuring meaningful and fulfilling post-career years.
Notable Quote (50:41):
"Retirement is a great time to think about little p purpose because we really want to feel intentional and purposeful in whatever amount of time we have left." (50:41)
12. Legacy Through little p Purpose
Christine Benz (52:25): Connects little p purpose to legacy creation.
Jordan Grummet (52:41): Argues that small, consistent acts of purpose can have profound, ripple effects over time. Using the anecdote of his maternal grandfather's passion for math, Grummet illustrates how individual purposes contribute to broader societal impacts, emphasizing that legacy isn't always monumental but is built through daily purposeful actions.
Notable Quote (55:52):
"Little P purpose actually changes the world more because it connects you to other people and allows you to make meaningful impacts." (55:52)
Conclusion
Christine Benz (56:04): Thanks Jordan Grummet for his enlightening discussion on purpose, happiness, and legacy. She encourages listeners to engage with the podcast and share feedback.
Jordan Grummet (56:11): Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his insights.
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose is multifaceted, encompassing both meaning (past) and actions (present/future).
- little p Purpose emphasizes enjoying and finding fulfillment in daily actions without being tethered to grandiose goals.
- Purpose Anxiety arises from societal pressures and unrealistic portrayals of purposeful living.
- Interpersonal Connections are paramount to long-term happiness, surpassing the influence of wealth.
- Purpose is Accessible: Regardless of financial status, individuals can cultivate purpose through available tools and intentional actions.
- Retirement serves as a pivotal period to focus on personal purpose and legacy-building.
Jordan Grummet's The Purpose Code offers a roadmap for listeners to navigate their personal narratives, reduce anxiety around purpose, and build lives rich with meaningful actions and connections.