Analyzing The Importance Of Definitions & Purpose

Understanding Purpose & Using/Clarifying Definitions

As a young man, I seem to be constantly focused on what my purpose is in life. While I sit down to write this, I do not have a definite answer to this for my life. It feels at times that I have so many options and at the same time that I have none. I feel uncertain in any direction and yet I must also hold to the responsibilities that I do have and trust that I am learning. In an attempt to align myself with this understanding and commit to a direction, I lean back toward the purpose of this project.

To understand how I use purpose in this discussion, I offer this definition from the Oxford Languages dictionary: "the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists" (Oxford Lanuages and Google). I have written down some goals and broken my priorities into three basic categories in an attempt to gain at least a slight understanding to what purpose is and how to apply it to my life (keeping in mind purpose is largely applied by the individual):

1. Financial
2. Professional
3. Physical

By breaking my goals down into three categories, I gain a defined set of guidelines on how to make decisions in life. For example, when analyzing a new purchase, I weigh my options against how much money that same amount of money could grow and be used in the stock market. If the performance and potential for growth outweigh the immediate purchase, I choose to not make the purchase since the money could be used better for my goals. For professional goals, I consider what job I am doing and how to supplement that income. More recently, I even considered what it would look like to start my own freelance operation to supplement and grow my income. Finally, physical considerations are branched into 3 categories: martial arts, mobility, and strength training. This also aligns with my professional and financial goals as I must budget finances and time appropriately to continue all three physical pursuits.

But what does this have to do with definitions and the overall discussion as to what purpose is?

Where do I find my purpose?

I believe definitions to be at the center of any understanding of purpose or general discussion. If we never determine definitions, how could we possibly understand one another? I believe that a good amount of miscommunication could be resolved by taking a moment to clarify definitions of what would be considered "common" words. For example, I operate under the assumption that the word belief is logically understood by most of the Western world, but what is believing? What does believing look like? Feel like? Taking the time to articulate such a definition, I believe, is critical to helping others gain an understanding of who you are and what you are saying. I feel as though I have exhausted this subject and digress.

The reason I took the time to define purpose at the beginning of this post is to help identify how I am using, and thinking about what purpose is in the context of this discussion. For me, purpose would ideally be the reason I continue to get out of bed and repeat what would be considered "essential tasks". Right now, that purpose is keeping a roof over my head and not misusing the opportunities that lie in front of me. Where I struggle, consistently, with purpose is in the financial and professional discussions. I am attempting to adopt the mindset that my purpose is to simply carry out my tasks to the best degree I can but I feel as if these pursuits are not being rewarded. How long does this take? I am unaware. Does this happen? Of this, I am unaware. Therefore, is the job, then, to get comfortable in not knowing and simply continuing to exist in an attempt and hope that this will be rewarded at some point? I believe so. I would love to find what calls me out of bed and sustains me when motivation is lacking. Right now, however, that is simply taking it day by day and trying to aim upwards. Taking care of what I have and doing it to the best degree I can, but again, I digress.

Where this project is concerned, purpose is the "why" behind researching credibility and the aim I am pointing towards. It was recently brought to my attention that the way my blog was being read was stretching to find a way to educate others. Upon reflection, I was reminded why I started this project in the first place: to collect ideas, share them, and sharpen an understanding around exactly what it takes to become credible in a world where credibility is, in my opinion, more important than ever. What are the pieces of becoming credible? In an attempt to outline this, collecting thoughts became trying to leave you with actionable items on a discussion that I am also still learning about. I am no expert and am simply a researcher trying to piece the puzzle together and share it with those looking for similar answers. That being said, the ultimate goal is to compile research and thoughts; to inform and encourage discussion rather than educate or influence. 

As a result, I will leave you with a quote around purpose that I found meaningful recently: "Opportunities multiply as they are seized" (Sun Tzu, The Art of War). Inspiration: I may not know my purpose nor my ultimate direction, but I know three categories as to which I can align my decisions with to aim upward. As a result, I rigorously pursue these categories and take advantage of the opportunities that align with those goals (namely work, this project, and martial arts). As such, I have faith that opportunities will multiply in these categories.

Stay credible my friends,

Collens W.

Direct Sources:

“Oxford Languages and Google - English.” Oxford Languages, Oxford University Press, languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.