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Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most

A scientifically-grounded journey to living with intention that transforms how you approach work, relationships, and personal growth

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

What you will learn in Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life Course

  • Evidence-based frameworks for purpose discovery
  • Values identification and alignment techniques
  • Legacy building strategies
  • Meaning-making in work and relationships

  • Resilience through purpose cultivation
  • Societal contribution pathways
  • Overcoming existential obstacles

Program Overview

Purpose Foundations

⏱️ 2 weeks

  • Explores psychological research on life satisfaction, mortality awareness, and self-concept clarity.
  • Includes values assessment exercises.

Meaning in Work

⏱️ 2 weeks

  • Examines job crafting, career alignment, and workplace contribution.
  • Features case studies of purpose-driven professionals.

Relational Meaning

⏱️ 2 weeks

  • Covers family legacy, friendship depth, and community impact.
  • Includes social network analysis activities.

Sustaining Purpose

⏱️ 2 weeks

  • Teaches resilience practices, habit formation, and adaptive mindset techniques.
  • Features life narrative exercises.

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Job Outlook

  • Professional value: Universal across industries
  • Salary potential: Leadership skills correlate with 20-30% higher compensation
  • Industry demand: Top skill sought by employers
  • Certification benefit: Wharton credential recognition
9.8Expert Score
Highly Recommended
Discover research-based strategies to find deeper purpose and meaning in your career, relationships, and daily life.
Value
9.5
Price
9.6
Skills
9.9
Information
9.8
PROS
  • Wharton Business School faculty
  • Scientifically validated approaches
  • Downloadable success planners
  • Suitable for all career stages
CONS
  • Requires self-discipline
  • Limited industry customization
  • Needs practical application

Specification: Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

FAQs

  • Understand why having a strong purpose is essential for human well-being.
  • Learn how a self-transcending purpose positively impacts mental health and fulfillment.
  • Discover how to create a personal purpose aligned with what matters most to you.
  • Develop daily practices to stay connected to your purpose and facilitate personal growth.
  • Comprised of 4 modules:
  • What Is a Purpose in Life? (14 videos, 5 readings, 1 assignment)
  • How Purpose Organizes Our Lives
  • How Purpose Changes Our Lives
  • How Purposes Work in Real Life
  • Recommended pace is 1 week at 10 hours per week, though it’s fully self-paced.
  • Some learners complete the course in about 11 hours total, suitable for a 3-week schedule at ~3 hours per week.
  • Taught by Vic Strecher, a faculty member at the University of Michigan focused on health and purpose.
  • The course integrates insights from science, philosophy, and real-life examples, offering a holistic approach to meaning.
  • Highly rated—approximately 4.8 out of 5, with nearly 275,000 learners enrolled and 97% positive reviews.
  • No prior experience is needed—it’s a beginner-friendly course open to anyone.
  • Designed to be inclusive, weaving in both theoretical insights and practical reflection exercises to help anyone find personal meaning.
  • Yes—you can earn a shareable certificate of completion and add it to your LinkedIn or resume.
  • Course offers audit access for free, full access included with Coursera Plus, and financial aid is available.
  • The course supports accessibility with 23 available languages and a flexible, mobile-friendly format.
Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most
Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most
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