The Purpose Code with Jordan Grumet
When Achieving Your Purpose Doesn’t Solve Your Problems
This week, Sammie and I had the pleasure of chatting with (or “Doc G” of the Earn & Invest podcast) about the idea of purpose and his latest book, The Purpose Code. We thoroughly enjoyed the book and it inspired both of to make changes in our lives to refocus on the little “p” purpose. We’re giving away five copies of his books to the first five people who request it! Leave a comment below or respond to this email for a chance to get a free copy.
Read on below for the weekly essay for this episode.
As someone who often finds myself struggling with the idea of purpose, I loved this conversation with Jordan Grumet (or Doc G to fans of the Earn & Invest Podcast).
For my healthcare workers out there, Jordan Grumet understands the entanglement of purpose and work. He wanted to be a doctor his whole life. He was inspired to do so after his dad, a well loved doctor, passed away when he was young. However, when he reached his goal, he shares with us that this version of purpose didn’t feel the way it should. He enjoyed some parts of his job, but he also enjoyed writing, speaking and podcasting. He felt the conflict between his meaningful work and his interests.
My job didn’t directly help anyone, as I was in software sales. Many managers did try to convince me that a great database is the backbone of every company and I was happy enough to accept that a good pay as a reason to keep working.
When I finally left the corporate world and took a sabbatical, I felt lost. It seemed as though every other personal development book suggested that the cure to corporate burnout or feeling unfulfilled was to find my purpose.
As Jordan points out in our conversation, both of our situations can lead to “purpose anxiety.” In fact, he told us that so many people came up to him complaining about the stress of finding their purpose that he was inspired to look into it and eventually write this book.
How is it that the word purpose can seemingly both hold the key to unlock all of life’s problems while simultaneously cause so much strife?
Jordan separates purpose into two categories, “big p” Purpose and “little p” purpose.
Purpose (big P), tends to be goal oriented and tied to people searching for meaning. It’s becoming an astronaut or an NBA player, even though, there’s not a ton of opportunities or agency in either of those goals. Yes, some people will join the NBA, but what if you’re a 5’1 Indian woman who decides at 34 to pick up basketball with dreams of joining the Pistons? A tiny bit of luck will need to be involved. In this scenario, that luck will be magic growth beans and a stronger desire to dribble.
With Purpose, even if you do achieve your goal, the feeling is fleeting. I’ve hit some big goals in my life, and I am so proud of those moments. However, the high eventually ends. Which is what happens when we focus on the destination over the journey.
Grumet argues for us to focus instead on purpose (little p). This type of purpose is about enjoying the process. He suggests following your childlike impulses and seeing what makes you come alive. It involves trial and error while also holding space for short term interests.
For me, I found that I love writing. Staying up late to write out this essay is fun for me. Expressing myself in a creative way is part of my purpose. I tried to see if picking up the piano was part of this too, but my keyboard has been collecting dust for a couple years now. While, I still believe 2025 could be the year I finally relearn how to read bass clef, it’s ok if that interest was temporary. I do think part of my purpose there was to learn Driver’s License on my right hand only and then move on with my life.
So the good news is, there’s no pressure involved to succeed or even keep at a purpose (little p) any longer than it pleases you. This purpose encourages a discovery process that is focused on what brings you alive. If I train to be in the NBA because of my love of shooting hoops, it doesn’t matter if I become the first tiny lady to steal a ball from Steph Curry or not.
The Purpose Code outlines a few ways to discover your purpose or multiple purposes. Jordan also shares more about “the how” with Sammie and I during this episode.
Take a listen and let us know if you feel inspired to shift how you are approaching your purpose!
To Learn More About Jordan:
Get the book: The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet
- Substack
Taking Stock by Jordan Grumet
Check out our last interview with Doc G!
Referenced this episode: Harvard Study of Adult Development
Would love a copy! Very inspired by his work! Thanks for sharing