Back to Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most
University of Michigan

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

Welcome to Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life: Living for What Matters Most! In this course, you’ll learn how science, philosophy and practice all play a role in both finding your purpose and living a purposeful life. You will hear from historical figures and individuals about their journeys to finding and living a purposeful life, and will walk through different exercises to help you find out what matters most to you so you can live a purposeful life. As an added benefit, you will also have complimentary access, for a period of time, to the Purposeful App. This groundbreaking mobile and desktop app is designed to help you build a purposeful rhythm into each day, so you can bring your best self to what matters most. Look for more information in Week 1 of the course! By the end of this course, you will: 1. Understand that having a strong purpose in life is an essential element of human well-being. 2. Know how self-transcending purpose positively affects well-being. 3. Be able to create a purpose for your life (don't be intimidated, this is different from creating "the purpose" for your life). 4. Apply personal approaches and skills to self-change and become and stay connected to your purpose every day. We are thrilled that you are here! We look forward to hearing and learning from you throughout this course!

Status: Lifelong Learning
Status: Self-Awareness
BeginnerCourse7 hours

Featured reviews

AC

5.0Reviewed Nov 27, 2020

This is, by far, the most life-changing course I have EVER taken. I am so thankful for this learning experience. I hope I can someday see you teaching live. Warmest regards to whom it may concern.

BF

5.0Reviewed Dec 14, 2020

The course was easy to understand and there are helpful actionable items. However, this course really made me think of how I am walking purposeless. And having a purpose needs to be purposeful.

GS

5.0Reviewed Oct 22, 2020

Comprehensive introduction to the subject of purposeful living without being overwhelming in terms of time commitment or complexity of information. Very well produced and easy to follow.

AD

5.0Reviewed Aug 12, 2025

This course was fantastic in helping me gain a deeper understanding of my purpose, how purpose shows up in different areas of life, and how having a purpose impacts your wellbeing more than you know.

PI

4.0Reviewed Apr 25, 2025

I found this course beneficial in focusing my thinking about what is and should be important to me in life. Taking a self-critical approach to this issue has been difficult but revealing and freeing

BS

5.0Reviewed Oct 1, 2021

Light yet strong & profound course. It's a gentle reminder to focus on what matters most in our life. Big kudos to the professor and those who contributes in making this course available

OD

5.0Reviewed Jul 16, 2020

This course made me think on definite purpose for my life and to lead to do those tasks needed to pursue that purpose. Great course and special thanks to the course instructor Victor Strecher.

AL

5.0Reviewed Jun 21, 2024

If you feel like you're lost, I recommend you to take this course. Easy and fun to learn if you love philosophy and psychology. I love it. I feel so proud of myself for taking this course.

LB

4.0Reviewed Jun 22, 2020

This course can give you interesting anecdotes and research about the importance of having a purpose in life, but I think it doesn't actually help much towards creating or finding your own purpose.

MN

5.0Reviewed Aug 22, 2023

The course has helped me identify qualities in myself that I have not noticed before, and additionally equipped me in how to set future goals and how to appropriately work towards them.

YA

5.0Reviewed Jun 20, 2020

Very interesting. course. I really enjoyed how purpose was always discussed in many different aspects of life. I also enjoyed how thorough and science-based the discussions were in this course

BP

5.0Reviewed Mar 26, 2021

Very inspirational. Effective mix of solid science (hard and social sciences) and philosophical perspectives. Will definitely be making changes in my life's purpose, and recommending this class!

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 821

Scott Mathews
2.0
Reviewed Jun 7, 2020
Sheryl A
2.0
Reviewed May 26, 2020
Isabela Coatti
3.0
Reviewed Jul 30, 2020
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1.0
Reviewed Jan 4, 2021
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1.0
Reviewed Jun 10, 2020
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Reviewed May 19, 2020
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Reviewed Apr 29, 2020
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5.0
Reviewed May 12, 2020