The AI Path to Finding Your Life’s Purpose
This isn’t just self-reflection—it’s a conversation with yourself, powered by AI.
Have you ever sat with a journal or stared at the ceiling late at night wondering, “What’s my purpose?” or some variation thereof? It’s a big question—and maybe the wrong one to start with.
Daniel Pink, in his work on discovering life’s purpose, suggests we stop chasing “passion” like it’s a finish line. Instead, he offers 7 smarter questions that help us uncover what really drives us: the stuff we’d do for free, the moments we lose track of time, the unique ways we contribute to the world.
I love using AI not just for business tasks, but as a thinking partner for deeper questions like these.
So, let’s combine the two:
This week, I’m sharing a set of prompts for each question you can use with ChatGPT (or any LLM) to explore your purpose—and why each one matters.
7 Questions and AI Prompts to Explore Your Life’s Purpose
Let AI become your mirror, muse, and meaning-maker.
Q1. What made me weird as a kid?
Prompt 1: "Imagine you’re writing a story about my childhood. What strange obsessions, fixations, or traits made me stand out? How might those connect to who I am today?"
Prompt 2: "Based on what you know about childhood development and creativity, what early behaviors might hint at my core motivations or life themes?"
Prompt 3: "Reconstruct a timeline of quirky or unusual things I loved as a kid and explore what values or strengths they reveal."
Why this matters: The things we loved as kids were rarely strategic. We weren’t doing them for money, status, or approval. We were magnetized by what felt fun, interesting, or right. That’s the purest version of intrinsic motivation.
When you remember that you created elaborate worlds out of cardboard boxes, taught imaginary classes, or constantly asked “why,” you’re not just reminiscing—you’re rediscovering clues to your core wiring.
Examples:
A kid who made "mini-museums" out of rocks might now crave curating meaning or storytelling.
Someone who invented games may have a drive to build systems, gamify experiences, or create joy.
If you were “too sensitive,” maybe you're meant to feel deeply and help others do the same.
Q2. When do I lose track of time?
Prompt 1: "List the last 5 times I felt deeply engaged, lost in the moment, or completely absorbed. What do those moments have in common?"
Prompt 2: "Analyze my 'flow state' activities. What skills are being used? What needs are being met?"
Prompt 3: "Compare moments when I feel drained vs. energized. What do those patterns tell me about my zone of genius?"
Why this matters: Flow isn’t just fun—it’s fuel. When you're in it, you're using your natural strengths at just the right level of challenge. Flow states are often a compass pointing toward your purpose.
Examples:
If you lose time while writing, maybe you're meant to craft stories or teach ideas.
If deep conversation lights you up, maybe your purpose lies in counseling, coaching, or mentorship.
If building spreadsheets or systems excites you (yes, some people!), that’s a huge clue.
By noticing and amplifying these moments, you design a life that’s less draining and more aligned.
Q3. What do people thank me for?
Prompt 1: "Summarize the top 10 compliments or thank-yous I’ve received. What patterns or core strengths emerge?"
Prompt 2: "Based on gratitude from others, what roles do I naturally step into—even without being asked?"
Prompt 3: "Generate a ‘strengths profile’ based on how others experience me, and suggest areas where I can expand that impact."
Why this matters: We tend to normalize our strengths—assuming everyone can do what we do. But they can’t. The things others thank you for are often invisible superpowers.
Examples:
People may thank you for listening. That’s not “just being nice”—it’s relational intelligence.
If you’re constantly helping others clarify their thinking, you might be a natural strategist or coach.
If you’re the one who organizes chaos into clarity, you may have the gift of systems thinking or leadership.
These insights help you own your value—and see where you can serve more intentionally.
Q4. What’s my sentence?
Prompt 1: "Help me write a one-sentence legacy statement that captures the impact I want to have on the world."
Prompt 2: "Based on everything you’ve learned about me, complete the sentence: ‘[My name] was someone who...’"
Prompt 3: "Give me 3 variations of a one-sentence purpose statement and a short reflection on what each one reveals."
Why this matters: There’s power in clarity. Your sentence isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. It becomes your filter for decisions, priorities, and how you invest your energy.
Examples:
“She helped people believe in their brilliance.”
“He turned complexity into clarity.”
“They built spaces for others to heal, grow, and create.”
Once you have your sentence, you can ask: Am I living this? Am I building a life that supports this vision? It's not set in stone—but it is a guiding star.
Q5. Where can I make my biggest contribution?
Prompt 1: "Using my skills, experiences, and values, where could I make a meaningful difference—in my local community, a global cause, or an underserved area?"
Prompt 2: "What problems in the world frustrate or energize me the most, and how could I contribute toward solving them?"
Prompt 3: "Analyze where my interests and the world’s needs overlap. Suggest possible paths where I could contribute meaningfully."
Why this matters: Purpose becomes powerful when it moves beyond the self. While passion is about what excites you, contribution is about where that passion meets a need. This shift from What do I want? to Who needs what I can give? leads to a sense of connection, impact, and fulfillment.
Examples:
If you love storytelling and people thank you for making complex ideas understandable, maybe your contribution is translating important information for others.
If you're deeply moved by environmental causes and have digital skills, your biggest contribution might be helping sustainability orgs with visibility or strategy.
A teacher who loves mentoring might expand their contribution by guiding new educators or creating open-access resources.
This question invites you to scale your influence—and root your purpose in service.
Q6. What would I do if I didn’t have to make money?
Prompt 1: "Describe my ideal day if I never had to worry about income. What would I create, who would I help, and how would I spend my energy?"
Prompt 2: "Generate a list of activities or projects I’d pursue purely for joy, curiosity, or challenge, without financial constraints."
Prompt 3: "Compare what I do for money vs. what I do for free. Where is the overlap, and how can I integrate more joy into my paid work?"
Why this matters: When money is taken off the table—even hypothetically—we get to see what we’re really drawn to. These desires reveal your intrinsic motivation, which is often where your truest sense of purpose lives. You don’t have to turn those things into a business—but you might find ways to weave them in more intentionally.
Examples:
If you’d spend your time painting, teaching art, or exploring beauty, maybe your work needs a creative outlet—or a sabbatical project.
If you’d mentor young entrepreneurs for free, maybe part of your purpose is legacy and knowledge transfer.
If you’d spend your days hiking and documenting the natural world, maybe you need to build more reverence and presence into your life, even in small ways.
This question reveals your joy compass. What you would do just because is often what you’re here to do well.
Q7. What will I regret when I’m 90?
Prompt 1: "Write a letter from my 90-year-old self to my current self. What regrets does my future self want me to avoid? What encouragement or wisdom would they share?"
Prompt 2: "Based on common patterns of regret, what actions am I avoiding today that might lead to long-term disappointment if not addressed?"
Prompt 3: "Create a list of bold moves, conversations, or creative risks I’ve hesitated to take. Which ones might become future regrets if left undone?"
Why this matters: Regret is like emotional time travel. It reveals what really matters before it’s too late. Most people don’t regret failing—they regret not trying. Thinking from your 90-year-old self’s perspective helps bypass fear and perfectionism and replaces them with long-view clarity.
Examples:
You might realize you’ll regret not starting that book, even if it never becomes a bestseller.
You may wish you'd reached out to someone, even awkwardly, instead of letting silence stretch.
You might regret building a life of “shoulds” and never taking the chance to do what actually lit you up.
This prompt helps you live from the inside out and the end in mind. It’s not about fear—it’s about freedom.
The Purpose Journey: It’s a Dialogue, Not a Destination
Finding your purpose isn’t a single breakthrough—it’s a series of questions and reflections, revisited over time. That’s where tools like ChatGPT come in. They don’t give you your purpose, but they mirror your patterns, values, and possibilities.
So take your time. Let this week be about curiosity, not certainty. Let it be playful. Let it be real.
Want all of these prompts and reflections in a printable workbook format? Hit reply and say “Send me the Purpose Journal”—and I’ll create it for you.
And if this sparked something for you, I’d love to hear it. Reply to this email or share your reflections on Substack.
Curious about purpose,
Lisa