What do you tell people when they ask you what you are about? What is your life purpose and how would you sum it up?

When we talk about ourselves, we frequently share details such as what we do for a living, what we are studying, where we live or where we are from. But even though those things give some clues to who we are, they don’t necessarily reveal our principles, dreams, or life purpose. Often, even our family and close friends can be unaware of these deeper life themes.

We don’t go around advertising these things and yet we are willing to purchase items that market the slogans, ideas or values of other people and companies. Why is that?

It makes sense that we should be clear about our purpose and willing to share it with others. Having a purpose is important. Research has shown that living a life of meaning is connected to better health, relationships and greater achievement.

“One thing is clear: that having a purpose in life is something that Humans thrive on.” – Steve Peters

So, how would you express yours? What would be the slogan that you could live by?

A T-shirt can say a lot about a person

Do you have a favourite T-shirt? What designs or words does it have on it?

I love a good T-shirt. I have owned some favourites over the years that I have worn until they were so thread-bare they almost fell off before I took them off!

Some of my favourite ones have had pictures and slogans on them. For example, as a teenager, I thought it was highly amusing to wear a t-shirt that boldly said, “Only here for the beer!” A few years later I owned a North Face shirt that I loved, which had a picture of a mountain and the slogan “Never Stop Exploring” written on it.

I am partial to beer but (not surprisingly) the second t-shirt was a better reflection of what I care most about. I love the mountains and one of my core values is adventure, so the words on the t-shirt spoke to me, and they reflected to other people some of my dreams and desires for my life.

We often purchase clothing and other items because they express something of who we are. Therefore, if you could design something yourself, with your own slogan and logo, what would that be?

The Right Questions Life Purpose Tool: The T-Shirt Exercise

Not all of us are talented designers but this is where the humble t-shirt comes to the rescue. We can all think about what we might put on a t-shirt (and many of us already have!)

So, if you had a t-shirt that could sum up what your life is about, what would it say?

This is a fun exercise to go through and we can think about it from four different perspectives:

1. A slogan
2. A quote
3. An elevator pitch
4. Logo

Slogan

If you had to sum up your life goal in a slogan or tagline, what would it be?

Marketers spend a long time crafting slogans for companies that try to capture the essence of what they are about (or what they are selling). A good slogan is pithy mand memorable. Consider these examples:

• Google: Do the right thing (previously: Don’t be evil)
• Samsung: Do what you can’t
• Airbnb: Below anywhere
• Ford: Go further
• Apple: Think different
• Nike: Just do it
• Adidas: Impossible is nothing
• IMAX: Think big
• Electronic Arts: Challenge everything
• Harley Davidson: All for freedom, freedom for all

What phrase would you like to be associated with? Have a go a drafting something now.

Quote

Sometimes it can be hard to find the right words. When that is the case, we can lean on the wise words of other people. I certainly do and that is why I include so many in my writing. To help, you can follow these steps:

1. Think about your favourite books, movies, and songs. Which lines stick with you and why? Write down as many as you can.

• Remember your core values and search for quotes that contain those words. This can be very easily done on the internet.

• Now consider which quote means the most to you and then paraphrase it. Use your own words and personalise the quote.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw

Elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a short marketing pitch. The idea is that you can share your idea in the time it takes to ride a lift.

It is a helpful exercise to try and make things succinct. As with a mission statement, it forces us to break down a goal into its essential parts and find the essence of a concept.

So, if you only had a few seconds to share your life purpose with someone, what would you say? How would you explain what you are about, what drives you and how you want to help others?

My advice is start with writing out something quite long and then edit it down. Whittle away at the phrase, carefully selecting the words, until you can get it down to a short paragraph.

“If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do.” Daniel Kahneman

Logo

Instead of words, you can also think about pictures. What image or logo would best sum you and your philosophy of life? You can use these prompts to help you:

• Think about your favourite photos or works of art. If you could choose just one, which would it be and why?

• Bring to mind your vision statement. What image could you create to sum that up?

• Consider your values. What logo could express your core principles?

Make your t-shirt design and wear your life purpose statement with pride!

Once you have a slogan, quote, or elevator pitch that you are happy with, write it out and put it somewhere you can see it. Draw out your logo. Let it be a prompt and inspiration. Why not put it on a T-shirt? It could be a great conversation starter!