Without a clear purpose, life can feel like a series of monotonous days, where happiness is fleeting and often replaced by temporary distractions like social media, alcohol, or other quick dopamine fixes. Many people struggle to find direction, unsure of where to begin their journey toward a meaningful life.

In school, goals and directions are often laid out for us. But once we step into the real world, we’re left to chart our own course. When I entered university, I thought I wanted to become a physical therapist. After two years, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me, leaving me adrift and financially burdened without a clear next step.

However, my longstanding interest in technology, particularly software engineering, became my lifeline. I began learning on my own, dropped out of university, and took control of my destiny. This decision was pivotal in finding my purpose, allowing me to program my own mind rather than being programmed by external forces.

Connections Shape Relevance

The key to finding purpose lies in making connections between the information you encounter, both from the world around you and your internal thoughts. These connections act as a compass, guiding you toward your purpose.

  • Ideas gain significance when linked to other ideas.
  • Google ranks websites based on their interconnectedness.
  • Networking can lead to your dream job.

I found my purpose by exploring the intersections of my curiosities, which evolved into passion and eventually purpose. But how do you start making these connections? Understanding how your brain works is the first step.

The Pattern Recognition System: How Your Brain Works

Charlie Munger once said, “You can’t really know anything if you just remember isolated facts… You’ve got to have models in your head.” Traditional education often emphasizes memorization, which doesn’t align with how our brains are wired.

Our brains operate in two modes: “linear” thinking, which is slow and energy-intensive, and “diffused” thinking, which is our unconscious mind making connections. The latter is crucial for long-term retention and understanding.

Without a network of interconnected information, you lack a “why” behind the knowledge you consume. Your brain is designed to process and connect information, not store it in detail. Having your best ideas organized helps generate new insights and direction.

The Synergy: Your Brain and Technology

Our senses gather 11 million bits of information per second, far more than our brains can process. This means much of reality is filtered out. Our brains, still adapted to a prehistoric environment, prioritize survival information.

To thrive in the information age, you must override your brain’s default settings and provide it with the raw materials needed to make meaningful connections. Be intentional about the information you seek, allowing your brain’s pattern recognition system to work effectively.

Leverage technology to store detailed information, as Steve Jobs envisioned computers as “bicycles for the mind.” By organizing your ideas digitally, you can manage information chaos and focus on generating insights that lead to purpose.

Develop a Digital Environment for Success

A digital environment is like a garden for your mind, where you nurture ideas, find connections, and discover purpose. It serves as a thinking partner, ensuring you never start from scratch and providing a sanctuary in a chaotic world.

Find Purpose

By understanding your brain’s workings and using technology to compensate for its limitations, you can navigate the modern information landscape and find purpose.

1) Develop Your Digital Environment

  • Use a note-taking app that allows linking notes, like Obsidian, to record and connect your best ideas.
  • Employ a to-do list app for action items, separating them from your ideas.
  • Utilize a calendar app to free your mind from remembering future commitments, allowing you to focus on finding purpose.

2) Go On Walks

Walking is a powerful tool for generating insights, activating your brain’s diffused thinking. Carry your note-taking app to capture fleeting connections and process them later.

3) Work On Multiple Projects Simultaneously

Engaging in multiple projects allows your mind to interconnect seemingly unrelated information, fostering new perspectives and insights.

4) Take Action

Tony Robbins said, “If you talk about it, it’s a dream. If you envision it, it’s possible. If you schedule it, it’s real.” Make it a habit to process ideas, list action items, and schedule them to bring your insights to life.

Conclusion

Leverage technology and your understanding of brain function to explore your curiosities, develop passion, and ultimately find purpose. Remember, your purpose is fluid and will evolve throughout your life. It’s your responsibility to continually seek out your next purpose.