If you want to start living with more purpose and meaning, say hello to these 7 behaviors

Ever feel like life is moving on autopilot—like you’re just going through the motions without a real sense of why you’re doing it all?

I’ve been there, too. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind, ticking off tasks, chasing goals that might not even resonate with who we really are.

But here’s the thing: living with purpose and meaning isn’t about making some grand, sweeping change overnight. It’s about the small, intentional choices we make every day.

I want to share seven behaviors that can help you reconnect with what truly matters.

These are simple but powerful shifts that create a deeper sense of alignment between your actions and your values.

And trust me, once you start embracing them, life feels a lot more fulfilling. So let’s dive in and talk about how to make your days count for more.

1) Embrace self-awareness

A life of purpose and meaning begins with a deep understanding of oneself. This is the essence of self-awareness, a practice that requires honesty, curiosity, and patience.

Self-awareness is about tuning into your emotions, identifying your values, and understanding your strengths and weaknesses. It’s about taking a step back and observing your thoughts and actions without judgment.

Why is this so transformative?

Because when we are self-aware, we are better equipped to make decisions that align with our authentic selves. We’re more likely to pursue goals that genuinely matter to us, rather than those imposed by societal expectations or external pressures.

This doesn’t mean that the path will always be easy or straightforward. Self-awareness often involves confronting aspects of ourselves that we would rather ignore or avoid.

But it’s this willingness to face our truths that paves the way for growth and meaningful change.

2) Cultivate creativity

Creativity, for me, is not just about producing works of art or coming up with innovative ideas.

It’s a way of living, a mindset that allows us to find unique solutions to challenges, express our authentic selves, and engage with the world around us in meaningful ways.

When we cultivate our creativity, we’re not only enhancing our ability to generate fresh ideas, we’re also nurturing our ability to see connections where others might not.

This can lead to more fulfilling work, deeper relationships, and a sense of purpose that permeates every aspect of our lives.

And here’s something else that might surprise you — creativity is not the preserve of a select few. It’s a capacity inherent in all of us.

By exploring new hobbies, challenging our routines, and encouraging curiosity, we can all tap into this wellspring of potential.

The poet Maya Angelou beautifully encapsulated this idea when she said: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

So let’s embrace this abundant resource within us and allow it to guide us towards a life filled with more purpose and meaning.

3) Adopt a growth mindset

One of the most empowering shifts we can make in our lives is to adopt a growth mindset. This involves viewing our abilities and intelligence as qualities that can be developed rather than fixed traits.

A growth mindset encourages us to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. It helps us to persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as the path to mastery, and learn from criticism.

It’s not about ignoring our shortcomings or failures, but about understanding that we can improve through dedication and hard work. It’s about cultivating resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

In my video on the imposter syndrome, I delve into how embracing feeling like an imposter can actually be a catalyst for authentic growth and empowerment.

It encourages us to embrace our vulnerabilities and pursue a path of self-improvement grounded in genuine self-acceptance.

 

4) Take full responsibility for your life

This may seem like a tough pill to swallow, but it’s a liberating truth: we are the architects of our own lives.

This doesn’t mean that we have control over everything that happens to us. It means that we have control over how we respond.

Society, our upbringing, our circumstances – these can all influence us, but they don’t define us. We define ourselves through our choices, attitudes, and actions.

Taking full responsibility for your life means acknowledging that you’re not a passive victim of circumstance but an active participant in your own story.

It means recognizing that blaming external factors for your problems often serves as an excuse to avoid making meaningful changes.

It’s about understanding that the power to create a fulfilling and meaningful life lies within you. The ability to change your life situation begins with changing your thoughts and actions.

But let’s be real here: this isn’t easy. It requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. However, it’s through this process – this commitment to personal responsibility – that true empowerment and freedom are born.

5) Practice conscious consumption

Practicing conscious consumption isn’t just about spending less—it’s about spending intentionally. In today’s consumer-driven culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying without thinking.

But every dollar we spend is like casting a vote for the kind of future we want to create.

When we make choices that reflect our values, we’re taking a stand for sustainability, ethical practices, and a better world.

Conscious consumption means being mindful about the impact of our purchases. It’s asking questions like: Who made this product? Was it made sustainably? Does this brand align with what I care about?

By supporting companies that prioritize fairness, environmental responsibility, and social good, we can create a ripple effect of positive change.

Even small, deliberate choices—like buying locally or choosing quality over quantity—can make a big difference.

Why does this matter? Because the things we consume don’t just impact our wallets; they shape the world around us. They influence the environment, the economy, and even the well-being of others.

Practicing conscious consumption is a way of living with purpose, aligning our daily habits with the values we hold dear. It’s not about perfection but progress—one thoughtful choice at a time.

As the saying goes: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

6) Embrace setbacks and failures

In our success-obsessed culture, it’s easy to view failure as something to avoid at all costs. But the truth is, setbacks and failures are some of our greatest teachers.

In my video where I share seven crucial life lessons, one of the key takeaways I share is that challenges and failures are actually opportunities for growth. 

Failures aren’t indicators of inadequacy; they’re feedback loops. They show us what’s not working and give us the chance to refine our approach.

When we stop taking failure personally and start looking at it as an invitation to adapt, it can actually become exciting.

Every challenge holds the potential for reinvention and creativity, if we’re willing to dig deep and see the possibilities.

This doesn’t mean that we should seek out failure for its own sake or dismiss the pain that comes with setbacks.

Rather, it’s about developing a resilience mindset – one that sees obstacles not as insurmountable roadblocks, but as stepping stones on the path to growth and success. 

7) Cultivate authentic relationships

In our hyper-connected digital world, it’s easy to mistake quantity for quality when it comes to relationships.

But the truth is, authentic connections are not about how many followers you have on social media or how busy your social calendar is.

They’re about depth, vulnerability, and a shared willingness to show up for each other.

Cultivating authentic relationships means being present, listening deeply, and expressing empathy. It means showing up as your true self – not the person you think others want you to be. It means valuing others for who they are, not what they can do for you.

Authentic relationships provide us with a sense of belonging, emotional support, and shared joy. They’re a source of strength during challenging times and a cause for celebration during moments of triumph.

The path to building authentic relationships involves self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to personal growth. It’s about learning to communicate effectively, manage conflicts in a healthy way, and build trust over time.

Remember: we are social beings by nature. We thrive when we feel seen, heard, and valued.

So let’s invest in our relationships – with friends, family, partners, colleagues, and even ourselves – as they truly are the bedrock of a purposeful and meaningful life.

Wrapping up

Living with more purpose and meaning doesn’t require a complete life overhaul. It’s about the small, intentional choices we make every day.

These behaviors aren’t just habits; they’re ways of thinking and being that help us align our actions with our deeper values.

As you start to incorporate these shifts into your life, you’ll notice a difference. Days feel less like a blur of tasks and more like opportunities to grow, connect, and contribute. Purpose isn’t something we stumble upon; it’s something we create through the way we live.

So, take a deep breath and start where you are. Lean into these behaviors one step at a time, and watch how they open the door to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

After all, the journey to purpose isn’t about reaching a destination—it’s about how you show up every single day.