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The Purpose Code: How to unlock meaning, maximize happiness, and leave a lasting legacy
Worried about purpose? Most people are. But no one has to be. Brené Brown meets Malcolm Gladwell in this ground-breaking self-improvement book that reveals how to make a mark and how to set goals in life without falling into the anxiety traps of conventional success principles books. The ultimate in purpose anxiety relief, and a map for anyone to find happiness.
Purpose can change your life.
Having a sense of purpose has been scientifically proven to help people find happiness, longevity, and health.
But lots of us are also worried about purpose—purpose anxiety has been estimated to affect as much as 91% of people.
What’s going on? And how do we do purpose the right way—to unlock all its many benefits, set goals in life, make a mark and journey from anxiety to legacy?
This question set hospice doctor and writer Jordan Grumet on a quest, and The Purpose Code his remarkable findings to help you change your future forever. The result is a self-development book like no other.
It turns out that we fundamentally misunderstand purpose and the role it plays in our lives. In fact, there are two different types of purpose. One will lead to anxiety and disillusionment; the other will lead to connection and lasting legacy.
Finding happiness has never been about creating big audacious goals that we may or may not be able to achieve. True contentment comes from filling our lives with enriching activities that lead to connection and, ultimately, legacy. Swap grand but ultimately empty success books for this small goals book, and begin creating your true purpose today.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Purpose can change your life.
Having a sense of purpose has been scientifically proven to help people find happiness, longevity, and health.
But lots of us are also worried about purpose—purpose anxiety has been estimated to affect as much as 91% of people.
What’s going on? And how do we do purpose the right way—to unlock all its many benefits, set goals in life, make a mark and journey from anxiety to legacy?
This question set hospice doctor and writer Jordan Grumet on a quest, and The Purpose Code his remarkable findings to help you change your future forever. The result is a self-development book like no other.
It turns out that we fundamentally misunderstand purpose and the role it plays in our lives. In fact, there are two different types of purpose. One will lead to anxiety and disillusionment; the other will lead to connection and lasting legacy.
Finding happiness has never been about creating big audacious goals that we may or may not be able to achieve. True contentment comes from filling our lives with enriching activities that lead to connection and, ultimately, legacy. Swap grand but ultimately empty success books for this small goals book, and begin creating your true purpose today.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
20 people are currently reading
649 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Grumet
12 books49 followersAlmost daily, I write something to publicly share, a practice adopted long before I became a doctor of Internal Medicine. Readers of my articles and books access first-hand accounts of my personal and professional struggles, joys, sorrows, shortcomings and intrinsic rewards.
My ever-widening exposure to reading and listening audiences includes the following highlights:
• In My Humble Opinion.blogspot.com. Most weeks I post multiple articles on this venue.
• My writing is featured on social media's leading physician website KevinMD.com.
• Bimonthly, I write articles for The Medical Bag.com.
• Northern MSW: Advocacy, Aging, Healthcare & Social Work Issues, a Canadian website moderated by Victoria Brewster, MSW, regularly presents my essays.
• The Lives You Touch Publications released my chapbook of poetry, Primary Care, in Winter 2012, and with the editorial assistance of CreateWrite Enterprises I published my first book of short stories and essays in early 2015: I Am Your Doctor and This Is My Humble Opinion.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1973, my interest in becoming a doctor ignited when my father, an oncologist, died unexpectedly in the prime of life. This profound and life-shaping loss colors my self-reflective writing and manifests as my "genetic destiny" to practice medicine.
In January 2014, after much soul-searching, I launched my own concierge-style, home-based medical practice.
My ever-widening exposure to reading and listening audiences includes the following highlights:
• In My Humble Opinion.blogspot.com. Most weeks I post multiple articles on this venue.
• My writing is featured on social media's leading physician website KevinMD.com.
• Bimonthly, I write articles for The Medical Bag.com.
• Northern MSW: Advocacy, Aging, Healthcare & Social Work Issues, a Canadian website moderated by Victoria Brewster, MSW, regularly presents my essays.
• The Lives You Touch Publications released my chapbook of poetry, Primary Care, in Winter 2012, and with the editorial assistance of CreateWrite Enterprises I published my first book of short stories and essays in early 2015: I Am Your Doctor and This Is My Humble Opinion.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1973, my interest in becoming a doctor ignited when my father, an oncologist, died unexpectedly in the prime of life. This profound and life-shaping loss colors my self-reflective writing and manifests as my "genetic destiny" to practice medicine.
In January 2014, after much soul-searching, I launched my own concierge-style, home-based medical practice.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 10, 2025
My husband encouraged me to read this one, as he had just read it. "The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy" by Jordan Grumet was just okay for me, mostly because of where I am at personally in my life.
"The Purpose Code" examines the "big P" (big, destructive types of goal-oriented, product-driven purposes that create anxiety, and that we are doomed to fail at) and "little P" purposes (p. 6 - "This purpose is found in small beckonings [which we CREATE] to pursue the things we are passionate about.") that focus on the path and the process in our lives. "Little P" purpose leads to "happiness," defined on p. 9 as "...a healthy sense of peace, belonging, and the hope that our lives make some sort of difference in a world of randomness." He goes on to discuss the relationship between money and our social relationships to love, purpose, and happiness. Importantly, also covered are suggestions for HOW to find purpose and happiness and, ultimately, connections and community, in our lives - which he terms "the CLIMB." In the end, the core ideas here are that (p. 93), "...investing in activities that we enjoy the process of doing without an end goal in mind can lead to greater longevity, health, and happiness" and (p. 149), ""It is in the building of community that we use purpose to establish legacy. We touch those around us and change them. And that change becomes like a pebble dropped in the ocean."
Takeaways:
1. "The Purpose Code" mostly focuses on individuals who are at a different time in their lives than I am, people who are still a part of the work world, generally. Since I am retired, I have read about, studied, discussed, and considered much of what is found in the book. I am generally a "little P" person.
2. So, not a lot that was really new here for me.
3. I also found it a bit ironic, that Grumet, who is financially independent, talks about things like sitting in a chair and reading for hours, exploring the "little P's." Most individuals who work and/or aren't financially independent can't do this. The book seemed a little "privileged" in this regard. He does try to address this in Chapter 7, but I was not convinced. He posits human capital and time as other tools in our toolbelt that we can use instead, or in combination with, money.
4. I really enjoyed the anecdotal evidence Grumet uses to support his ideas. At the same time, he also uses research and statistical evidence to support his ideas. The book seems well-researched and is very convincing in this sense.
- p. 19 - "The scientific evidence is clear: having a sense of purpose leads to greater happiness, increased longevity, and better health."
- pp. 21-2 - "A 2021 study, also using the US Health and Retirement Study data, showed that those in the top versus lowest quartile of purpose in life had a 24% lower chance of becoming physically inactive, a 33% lower likelihood of developing sleep problems, and a 22% Lower risk of being overweight."
5. I really liked the section on "Personal Narration and Mental Health." Grumet quotes Pamela Rutledge and says, "'storytelling is everything.' Storytelling - or narrative - is fundamental to how we think and make meaning of the world. Whether we realize it or not, stories are at the center of everything we do. How we tell our stories controls our mood, our self-image, and our influence on others. Our stories can also dictate our future paths - and successes." This idea has been a theme in my life the past several years. I a firm believer in the value of story.
6. I also liked the idea covered in Chapter 6, which I have come across several times of late, that it is okay to let things go. Some things that have brought purpose and happiness to you in the past may no longer bring this same sense of purpose and joy. And that is okay. Let these things go.
7. The discussion of generational trauma (read and thought about and discussed this extensively) versus generational growth (not so much) in Chapter 9 was a good discussion as well.
8. This is a fast, easily consumed and understood read. I appreciated this.
9. The exercises at the end of each major section are excellent, good for thought at the least. These types of things are always good exercises, even if we may have considered these ideas previously.
For those struggling with these issues, and in the working years of their lives, "The Purpose Code" would be an excellent read. However, it wasn't for me at this time in my own life.
"The Purpose Code" examines the "big P" (big, destructive types of goal-oriented, product-driven purposes that create anxiety, and that we are doomed to fail at) and "little P" purposes (p. 6 - "This purpose is found in small beckonings [which we CREATE] to pursue the things we are passionate about.") that focus on the path and the process in our lives. "Little P" purpose leads to "happiness," defined on p. 9 as "...a healthy sense of peace, belonging, and the hope that our lives make some sort of difference in a world of randomness." He goes on to discuss the relationship between money and our social relationships to love, purpose, and happiness. Importantly, also covered are suggestions for HOW to find purpose and happiness and, ultimately, connections and community, in our lives - which he terms "the CLIMB." In the end, the core ideas here are that (p. 93), "...investing in activities that we enjoy the process of doing without an end goal in mind can lead to greater longevity, health, and happiness" and (p. 149), ""It is in the building of community that we use purpose to establish legacy. We touch those around us and change them. And that change becomes like a pebble dropped in the ocean."
Takeaways:
1. "The Purpose Code" mostly focuses on individuals who are at a different time in their lives than I am, people who are still a part of the work world, generally. Since I am retired, I have read about, studied, discussed, and considered much of what is found in the book. I am generally a "little P" person.
2. So, not a lot that was really new here for me.
3. I also found it a bit ironic, that Grumet, who is financially independent, talks about things like sitting in a chair and reading for hours, exploring the "little P's." Most individuals who work and/or aren't financially independent can't do this. The book seemed a little "privileged" in this regard. He does try to address this in Chapter 7, but I was not convinced. He posits human capital and time as other tools in our toolbelt that we can use instead, or in combination with, money.
4. I really enjoyed the anecdotal evidence Grumet uses to support his ideas. At the same time, he also uses research and statistical evidence to support his ideas. The book seems well-researched and is very convincing in this sense.
- p. 19 - "The scientific evidence is clear: having a sense of purpose leads to greater happiness, increased longevity, and better health."
- pp. 21-2 - "A 2021 study, also using the US Health and Retirement Study data, showed that those in the top versus lowest quartile of purpose in life had a 24% lower chance of becoming physically inactive, a 33% lower likelihood of developing sleep problems, and a 22% Lower risk of being overweight."
5. I really liked the section on "Personal Narration and Mental Health." Grumet quotes Pamela Rutledge and says, "'storytelling is everything.' Storytelling - or narrative - is fundamental to how we think and make meaning of the world. Whether we realize it or not, stories are at the center of everything we do. How we tell our stories controls our mood, our self-image, and our influence on others. Our stories can also dictate our future paths - and successes." This idea has been a theme in my life the past several years. I a firm believer in the value of story.
6. I also liked the idea covered in Chapter 6, which I have come across several times of late, that it is okay to let things go. Some things that have brought purpose and happiness to you in the past may no longer bring this same sense of purpose and joy. And that is okay. Let these things go.
7. The discussion of generational trauma (read and thought about and discussed this extensively) versus generational growth (not so much) in Chapter 9 was a good discussion as well.
8. This is a fast, easily consumed and understood read. I appreciated this.
9. The exercises at the end of each major section are excellent, good for thought at the least. These types of things are always good exercises, even if we may have considered these ideas previously.
For those struggling with these issues, and in the working years of their lives, "The Purpose Code" would be an excellent read. However, it wasn't for me at this time in my own life.
January 18, 2025
Too many mentions of "P". 😀
September 7, 2025
Items of Note:
* Purpose is not something you find; it’s something you uncover within yourself.
* Authentic purpose emerges when you align your talents with your deepest values.
* Your unique experiences are the code to unlocking your purpose.
* Purpose is not something you find; it’s something you uncover within yourself.
* Authentic purpose emerges when you align your talents with your deepest values.
* Your unique experiences are the code to unlocking your purpose.
Read
June 2, 2025I ended up skimming this book. Like some other people have said, I think I'm not the target demographic.
There were a some interesting thoughts, and some interesting ideas, and some interesting people within these pages. Ultimately though, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
How lovely it would be to be as financially independent as the author. I didn't ever get a good sense of where his financial wealth came from - he either didn't say or I skimmed over it. And while I have some agreement that money isn't necessarily really the end goal, money can certainly make one's life easier. It can provide more opportunities and freedom than not having money does. I also didn't care for his absolute discounting of religion. Regardless of what some of the studies and "statistics" show, I don't necessarily agree on that point. (Remember this is a subjective forum, and I'm of the mind that statistics and studies can be manipulated and misrepresented.)
Frankly, I got a little weary of hearing him talk about himself. Good for him for finding his meaning, happiness, legacy and purpose. I imagine this will be helpful for a lot of people. If so, then his purpose in writing the book is fulfilled. Just not for me.
There were a some interesting thoughts, and some interesting ideas, and some interesting people within these pages. Ultimately though, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
How lovely it would be to be as financially independent as the author. I didn't ever get a good sense of where his financial wealth came from - he either didn't say or I skimmed over it. And while I have some agreement that money isn't necessarily really the end goal, money can certainly make one's life easier. It can provide more opportunities and freedom than not having money does. I also didn't care for his absolute discounting of religion. Regardless of what some of the studies and "statistics" show, I don't necessarily agree on that point. (Remember this is a subjective forum, and I'm of the mind that statistics and studies can be manipulated and misrepresented.)
Frankly, I got a little weary of hearing him talk about himself. Good for him for finding his meaning, happiness, legacy and purpose. I imagine this will be helpful for a lot of people. If so, then his purpose in writing the book is fulfilled. Just not for me.
July 21, 2025
I’m a huge jordan Grumet fan and this book was just another one of his greatest hits. If you haven't checked out his podcast, I recommend that you take a listen. The book is laid out in easily digestible chapters. I especially liked the parts on the hero’s journey and the climb. Here are some of my favorite parts of this book:
“It turned out, after 85 years of a studying, that one and only one thing was a strong predictor of overall happiness: positive social relationships. Those who felt more connected to others lived longer and happier. Period.”
“When we feel a connection to characters in a story (including ourselves), we get a surge of the neurohormone oxytocin, which is know to be related to a sense of empathy. In the case of our own stories, we build a deeper inner connection and self-empathy.”
“The goal is to continuously replace mediocrity with joy.”
“One should never base a climb on a goal- especially not a goal that has been taken from someone else’s life or Instagram account.”
“If your climb is not connecting you with other people, it might be a sign that it is time to move on.”
"If you are struggling to make ends meet, trapped in a job you don’t love, it’s is hard to find meaning in past struggles.”
“It turned out, after 85 years of a studying, that one and only one thing was a strong predictor of overall happiness: positive social relationships. Those who felt more connected to others lived longer and happier. Period.”
“When we feel a connection to characters in a story (including ourselves), we get a surge of the neurohormone oxytocin, which is know to be related to a sense of empathy. In the case of our own stories, we build a deeper inner connection and self-empathy.”
“The goal is to continuously replace mediocrity with joy.”
“One should never base a climb on a goal- especially not a goal that has been taken from someone else’s life or Instagram account.”
“If your climb is not connecting you with other people, it might be a sign that it is time to move on.”
"If you are struggling to make ends meet, trapped in a job you don’t love, it’s is hard to find meaning in past struggles.”
April 1, 2025
The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet is a wonderful read is you’re looking at revisiting some core ideas about finding meaning in life.
The book’s core idea is that you find purpose through community in the things that you love DOING. It makes the distinction between Purpose (big P) and purpose (little p). The difference is that little p asks for you to find meaning in the process, doing things you intrinsically love without any expectation of glamor and fame, which is what big P is.
The book is easy to read. Grumet draws from some great examples and his life experiences as a Hospice doctor. His academic background also means the book is well researched. It provides a great reminder to focus on thing YOU enjoy doing rather than things you think you do.
Pointing out the negatives, where it exists. The book can come off as a little bit privileged. I think the average person gas the privilege to step back and reflect like the author suggests. He does try to address. But its less to do with Grumet and more to do with the subject of the book, unfortunately.
But overall, if youre looking for a light, impactful read about the important things in life, this isnt a half bad choice.
The book’s core idea is that you find purpose through community in the things that you love DOING. It makes the distinction between Purpose (big P) and purpose (little p). The difference is that little p asks for you to find meaning in the process, doing things you intrinsically love without any expectation of glamor and fame, which is what big P is.
The book is easy to read. Grumet draws from some great examples and his life experiences as a Hospice doctor. His academic background also means the book is well researched. It provides a great reminder to focus on thing YOU enjoy doing rather than things you think you do.
Pointing out the negatives, where it exists. The book can come off as a little bit privileged. I think the average person gas the privilege to step back and reflect like the author suggests. He does try to address. But its less to do with Grumet and more to do with the subject of the book, unfortunately.
But overall, if youre looking for a light, impactful read about the important things in life, this isnt a half bad choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2025
I received this book as a giveaway. I think the premise and message of the book is valuable and interesting, especially for working-age adults. I also liked how there were practical exercises for the reader to engage more deeply in their learning.
Despite the importance of the message, I did not enjoy the experience of reading the book for a few reasons:
- Grumet came across as arrogant a few times; in some cases, he seems to have an aggrandized image of himself and in others, I felt he was talking down to the reader.
- Grumet also seems quite unaware of his own privilege. He makes an attempt to acknowledge/address this, but I think it impedes the reader's ability to connect with and internalize his message.
- despite being short (200 pages), it felt like there was a fair bit of filler and repetition
Overall, I think the book is worth reading if you are in the target audience.
Despite the importance of the message, I did not enjoy the experience of reading the book for a few reasons:
- Grumet came across as arrogant a few times; in some cases, he seems to have an aggrandized image of himself and in others, I felt he was talking down to the reader.
- Grumet also seems quite unaware of his own privilege. He makes an attempt to acknowledge/address this, but I think it impedes the reader's ability to connect with and internalize his message.
- despite being short (200 pages), it felt like there was a fair bit of filler and repetition
Overall, I think the book is worth reading if you are in the target audience.
September 4, 2025
I just finished reading The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet, MD, and let me tell you, we all need to read this book. As someone who teaches Navigating Midlife for Women through Stanford Continuing Studies, I’m constantly hearing variations of “I don’t know what my purpose is” or “I feel lost without knowing my why.” Dr. Grumet’s approach flips the script entirely, and I think it’s exactly what we midlife women need to hear.
The book came at the perfect time as I’m preparing for my next Stanford Continuing Studies course, refocusing on inspiring and educating midlife women to not just survive, but thrive in midlife. I found myself highlighting passage after passage. His central premise? We’ve been thinking about purpose all wrong, and that’s why we’re anxious about it instead of energized by it.
Here are my top takeaways that I think will resonate with you:
https://medium.com/terri-hanson-mead/...
The book came at the perfect time as I’m preparing for my next Stanford Continuing Studies course, refocusing on inspiring and educating midlife women to not just survive, but thrive in midlife. I found myself highlighting passage after passage. His central premise? We’ve been thinking about purpose all wrong, and that’s why we’re anxious about it instead of energized by it.
Here are my top takeaways that I think will resonate with you:
https://medium.com/terri-hanson-mead/...
April 10, 2025
At the risk of being too reactionary immediately after finishing it, I’m inclined to say this book changed my life.
I was enthralled from cover to cover and often found myself deep in thought even when away from the book, while partaking in the mundanity of every day life.
I don’t know that I’ve found my purpose, but I feel closer than ever. I feel like I have the tools to get there, and that feels like a gift.
This is a rare book that I want to gift to everyone I know. I feel everyone can benefit from reading it and applying it to their own lives.
I’m really grateful to have read it, and I hope to revisit it many times in the future.
I was enthralled from cover to cover and often found myself deep in thought even when away from the book, while partaking in the mundanity of every day life.
I don’t know that I’ve found my purpose, but I feel closer than ever. I feel like I have the tools to get there, and that feels like a gift.
This is a rare book that I want to gift to everyone I know. I feel everyone can benefit from reading it and applying it to their own lives.
I’m really grateful to have read it, and I hope to revisit it many times in the future.
January 23, 2025
I struggled with how to rate this book but gave it a high rating. It seems to have been written for younger people and offers a very good perspective that contributing little things to communities and that are a source of personal satisfaction can be much more rewarding than regretting that you did not accomplish unrealistic big things. At age 74, and looking back on my life and what I have done with it, the book provided a sense of peace and satisfaction.
February 10, 2025
Good idea. Well written and Lots of homework. This is a great workbook for getting more clear on purpose in life.
Want to read
March 4, 2025As heard on Listening to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos:
https://omny.fm/shows/the-happiness-l...
https://omny.fm/shows/the-happiness-l...
May 13, 2025
Things I learned from this book:
1. Small p is better than big P because of incremental gains and possibilities
2. Fool yourself into a positive narrative about the meanings in the past
3. Pursing your purposes build communities or help you find communities
4. Momento mori mindset
1. Small p is better than big P because of incremental gains and possibilities
2. Fool yourself into a positive narrative about the meanings in the past
3. Pursing your purposes build communities or help you find communities
4. Momento mori mindset
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews