The hottest Purpose Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Arthur Brooks: Why Your ‘Perfect’ Life Feels So Empty

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1196 implied HN points • 19 Mar 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Purpose
  1. Many young, high-achieving people feel deeply unhappy even when everything seems to be going right, showing that success doesn't guarantee fulfillment.
  2. Rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents and college students have risen sharply, with more students seeking mental-health treatment and campuses feeling darker and more anxious.
  3. A culture of relentless striving that treats life's mysteries as problems to be solved can trivialize what it means to be human and leave people feeling empty, so we need to rethink how we find purpose and meaning.

How important are dreams?

Classical Wisdom • 1238 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Dreams have been considered important throughout history and have impacted fields like medicine, philosophy, and even the course of history.
  2. Dreams were viewed as messages from the divine, offering insights into life and guiding important decisions.
  3. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures attached great significance to dreams, seeing them as a link between mortals and the divine.

Christopher Nolan Reads "Without Purpose"

Range Widely • 1926 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Purpose
  1. Christopher Nolan reads 'without any purpose' to find stimulation in unexpected places.
  2. Balancing focusing on immediate tasks with staying open to new possibilities is a key challenge of work and life.
  3. Embrace practices, like reading broadly without clear purpose, to invite new ideas and inspiration into your life.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Misanthropic uses of the nudge

Archedelia • 1533 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. Machine gambling terminals are designed to create addiction through behavior design.
  2. Players are absorbed into pseudo-action at slot machines, seeking a sense of control and zone of efficacy.
  3. The libertarian response to issues like machine gambling may overlook the impact of external forces and fail to address the need for regulation.

Notes not from Cannes

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Purpose
  1. Purpose in marketing needs to be rigorously examined to ensure it genuinely makes a positive impact on society, beyond just emotional storytelling.
  2. Judges should be empowered to focus on creativity in awards, ensuring entries are judged based on creativity rather than personal criteria or biases.
  3. There is a concern that the focus on purpose and diversity in awards may be devaluing creativity and leading to work that is detached from what the public actually likes.

On 2024: Building Mastery and Finding Doorways

Day One • 918 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Building mastery requires changing your daily routine and habits to achieve big goals in 2024.
  2. Utilize the Doorway principle like ancient fishermen did, where the warm water meets the cold, to catch opportunities and everyone.
  3. Participate in valuable virtual Bootcamps to gain clarity of purpose, acquire high-income skills, and grow an online brand/business.

Purpose Porn

thestoa • 687 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. Question the notion of having a predefined life purpose.
  2. Living without a defined purpose can lead to a more adventurous life.
  3. Avoid getting caught up in the societal pressure of constantly showcasing a sense of purpose.

Elon Musk's, Steve Jobs', Albert Einstein's Secret Sauce

Play Permissionless • 239 implied HN points • 04 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Your beliefs and expectations can influence your reality. If you think people don't like you or are out to harm you, you may end up experiencing just that. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
  2. Having a deep belief in your ability to make a difference is crucial. More than talents or theories, this belief can drive significant impact. Your mindset plays a key role in achieving your goals.
  3. Before diving into productivity tips or success habits, it's important to address your beliefs and mindset. It may not be simple to change, but having a positive self-image can be essential for making a meaningful impact.

Friday Thread: How do you find a satisfying work "why"?

The Recovering Academic • 554 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Purpose
  1. When searching for satisfying work, it's common to grapple with questions of identity, purpose, and personal values.
  2. Finding an employer or work environment that aligns with your 'why' can be challenging, even if you know your purpose.
  3. Balancing personal authenticity and branding in professional life is a complex puzzle that many individuals struggle to solve.

The Bit In The Middle

Investment Talk • 864 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. We all seek purpose and happiness to feel fulfilled and have direction in life.
  2. Our desires are heavily influenced by imitation from others, leading to a cycle of reinforcing desires.
  3. Achieving material desires can lead to a never-ending cycle of wanting more, but it's important to appreciate the present and not lose sight of what truly matters.

The Hard Part

Timeless & Timely • 235 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Living according to other peoples' expectations can be difficult.
  2. Don't be afraid to change your look or approach if it's not working for you.
  3. Understand your strengths and skills, and apply them wisely in your field.

I heart creativity

Thoughts on Writing • 639 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Purpose
  1. Purpose-driven initiatives sometimes overshadow creativity in marketing and may not always lead to impactful social change.
  2. The beauty of opt-in participation in branding creates a sense of community without imposing ideologies.
  3. Cognitive empathy and humility are important in creativity, contrasting with the closed mindset often associated with purpose-driven approaches.

Don't Just Solve. Build.

Insight Axis • 276 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. Reframe problems as opportunities to build, not just to solve them, for a mindset shift
  2. Creativity and true human potential are unlocked when you view problems as chances to build
  3. Building for a cause greater than yourself leads to creating timeless, beautiful things

taking the time to see

spencer's paradoxes • 235 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Giving yourself permission to prioritize what you love is important for fulfillment.
  2. Research and personal growth can lead to unexpected questions and journeys.
  3. Taking time to appreciate the small moments and live intentionally can bring deep satisfaction.

Functioning without function

antoniomelonio • 110 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. People often define themselves by their jobs, but the idea of having a job is changing. As roles disappear, we may struggle to answer the question, 'What do you do?'
  2. Without clear roles, we might feel bored and lost, needing something to strive for and find purpose in. This could lead us to focus more on relationships and personal connections.
  3. As technology takes over tasks, we might wonder about our significance and what we contribute to society. We may shift from job-based identities to being better partners, friends, and family members.

Open thread: Finding balance between extremes

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Find balance in work by merging personal passion with public good, aiming for a middle ground that sustains you and aligns with your values.
  2. Navigate through the all-or-nothing nature of work pathways, like the overwhelming job application processes, by seeking a balance between extremes in both personal and professional life.
  3. Strive to avoid negotiating work and life as separate entities but integrate them into a harmonious blend, ensuring that your work embodies both private passion and contribution to the greater good.

A Creative's Guide on Starting a Company

The Intersection • 197 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
💼 Business Purpose
  1. Starting a company requires finding a trigger like the right people, money, or a solid idea.
  2. Taking on the financial responsibilities of a company involves doing the math, saving money, and being prepared to hustle.
  3. Building your personal and company brand is crucial through authenticity and developing a distinct voice.

Patagonia, Paul Newman and another kind of purpose

Thoughts on Writing • 519 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
💼 Business Purpose
  1. Yvon Chouinard challenges the concept of business and brand purpose, emphasizing the importance of human purpose over corporate ideals.
  2. Paul Newman's approach to philanthropy through Newman's Own showcases a unique blend of humor, humility, and a genuine focus on product quality over profit.
  3. Maintaining a separation between business and charitable activities, like Newman's Own, can lead to successful ventures that have a positive impact, while keeping a light-hearted approach.

Bernbach to the future

Thoughts on Writing • 339 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
💼 Business Purpose
  1. The purpose vibe shift in the industry reflects a changing attitude towards corporate purpose and its impact on growth.
  2. Bill Bernbach's ethical stance on advertising, such as turning away cigaret accounts, highlights the importance of principles over profit.
  3. Purpose in business should be a human imperative, acting as a counterbalance to corporate excesses, rather than a marketing tool for profit.

The Road to Hell: Q&A

Thoughts on Writing • 139 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. Historically, purpose was always about social purpose as it emerged as a big idea.
  2. Bothism, or the middle ground approach, can sometimes defer important arguments instead of resolving them.
  3. Corporate purpose initiatives could potentially act as a distraction from real societal change, like effective climate action.

🤹🏽 The Builders Trilemma: Three things that are Killing Your Creative Spirit.

Day One • 359 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. Lack of clarity can hold you back - make sure you understand why you're working on something and what your goals are.
  2. Fear can stop you from achieving your potential - learn strategies to overcome fear and move forward.
  3. Ego can be a silent enemy - recognize how your self-perception affects your success and work on conquering your ego.

Out of the Woods

The Weasel Speaks • 117 implied HN points • 20 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Purpose
  1. Sometimes, not planning can work out well if you have experience and know what you're doing.
  2. The 'why' of your actions is important for achieving results, even if the 'how' can vary.
  3. Having different levels of planning, from extensive to in-the-moment, is essential for successful team leadership.

Definitions have consequences

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Purpose
  1. Definitions can have significant consequences, especially when redefined in academic contexts.
  2. The term 'artificial general intelligence' can be misleading due to unclear definitions of 'intelligence' and 'general'.
  3. Understanding the consequences of how terms are defined is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings and panic.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a messiah.

Let's Get Psychophysical ! • 78 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Purpose
  1. The author reflects on their desire to be a messiah since childhood, acknowledging the impact of this belief on their life.
  2. The author urges readers to focus on mastering their craft and making a positive impact on a smaller scale rather than trying to save the world.
  3. The concept of a messiah complex is explored as a common phenomenon, impacting how people approach their work and goals.

The Only Way to Know is to Do

Ways of Working • 78 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Purpose
  1. Everything is built step by step, take that first step to create anything.
  2. Collaboration can be a force multiplier, choose partners who amplify you.
  3. Know your 'why' to guide your actions and decisions towards your goals.