You’ve built a life that looks successful. Yet the things you worked so hard for may no longer be what you want next.
In this Wisdom Wednesday episode, MEA founder Chip Conley joins Derek Gehl to explore finding purpose when familiar roles no longer feel fulfilling. From a corporate lawyer investing in her community to former business owners pursuing screenwriting, Chip shares how people are discovering possibilities they had quietly put aside.
You’ll hear:
- How to recognize someone else’s success script and begin defining success for yourself.
- Four pathways to purpose: what excites you, agitates you, makes you curious, or feels neglected.
- Why smaller purposes matter, from learning guitar to making more time for your children.
- A question to clarify your priorities: what will you regret not learning or doing 10 years from now?
- A simple exercise to find direction through the moments when you feel useful and lose track of time.
Watch the full episode for a thoughtful look at what deserves your time now and what you’d love to make room for next.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:37) The myth of one purpose
(01:41) Why purpose matters in midlife
(03:36) Passion, purpose and ikigai
(04:40) Four pathways to purpose
(05:39) The MEA Purpose Fellowship
(08:30) Creating a purpose portfolio
(09:40) Finding purpose beyond career success
(12:54) Why community helps you find purpose
(14:56) Purpose after retirement and an empty nest
(17:29) Rethinking relationships
(18:25) Chip’s personal purpose portfolio
(20:34) Making room for small purposes
(21:59) A simple exercise to discover your purpose
(23:06) Ways to explore purpose with MEA
Learn more about MEA at https://www.meawisdom.com/
#Midlife #Purpose #ChipConley #DerekGehl #WisdomWednesday #MidlifeChrysalis #FindingPurpose #LifePurpose #MidlifeTransition #PersonalGrowth #MeaningfulLife #RedefiningSuccess #LifeAfter50 #SelfDiscovery #MEA
