Book Reviews
“The Purpose Code” By Jordan Grumet Book Review
A couple of months ago, a funny thing happened. As I was looking through several of the personal finance blogs that I follow, I kept seeing the same bright blue book cover and smiley face sticky note somewhere on each site. I soon came to find out that this cover belonged to a book called The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by Jordan Grumet, MD. Needless to say, upon discovering this, I immediately added the title to my (audio) reading list.
If you’re not familiar with Grumet, he’s the author of Taking Stock and has been a personal finance blogger himself. As you may have guessed from the “MD” appended to his name, he’s also a doctor. That fact actually plays a big role in The Purpose Code as Grumet comes at the topic having had a chance to chat with many hospice patients who have reflected on their lives.
As for what The Purpose Code is about, well, it explores the nature of purpose and how it connects to our happiness. Of course, as Grumet acknowledges, the idea of “finding your purpose” can be anxiety-inducing for some, while the fear that we’re not living our purpose is even worse. However, this is where Grumet draws a line between Purpose with a capital ‘P’ and purpose with a little ‘p’ (sidenote: I’m not sure if it’s written out as “little ‘p’ purpose” in the regular book but it is read out like this in the audiobook I listened to for this review). Moreover, the author reveals that purpose isn’t actually found but created.
So how does one create purpose? Luckily, that’s what Grumet spends the next several chapters exploring. These insights come from his aforementioned time as a hospice doctor as well as several other personal and historical anecdotes. Of course, some of these examples also come from Grumet’s own life where he found that the medical profession wasn’t as fulfilling for him as he thought it would be.
Throughout the book, Grumet refers to the process of creating purpose as “The Climb” (not to be confused with the Miley Cyrus hit). This climb includes such lessons as the joy of addition and the art of subtraction. In other words, adding purpose-filled activities to your life while removing less purposeful elements. Interestingly, Grumet also points out how goals can work in contrast to purpose as falling short of them can lead to disappointment. This is something I hadn’t considered and is definitely a different perspective than I’m used to from personal finance fare.
Contrary to what you might assume, The Purpose Code doesn’t suggest that you immediately quit your job, move, and pursue whatever you realize is your ultimate dream. Instead, Grumet covers what to do “if you can’t afford climbing shoes.” As he explains, the point isn’t to completely overhaul your life at once but to create margin in it. I found this chapter to be one of the most interesting as it provided the most practical advice for taking small actions that could make a big difference.
At the end of each chapter, Grumet offers “A Purpose Prescription” that walks readers/listeners through an exercise that embraces the lessons learned in the preceding text. Spoiler alert: most of these start with you turning off your phone and escaping other distractions. In turn, I have yet to try any of them for myself, but I do look forward to doing so in the future.
In case it wasn’t clear The Purpose Code isn’t a personal finance book in the traditional sense. Nevertheless, the topic of money is explored in the book — namely the paradoxical relationship between money and happiness. Beyond that, though, there is of course plenty of overlap between pursuing a purposeful life and finance.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Purpose Code on my first listen, but it’s a book I want to revisit. In particular, as I mentioned, I want to take my time with it and participate in all of Purpose Prescriptions. That’s something I recommend to readers coming to this book as well as it doesn’t seem as though the activities are truly meant to be done over a short period of time.
Despite feeling as though I need to read it again to appreciate it more, I can definitely see why The Purpose Code has already gained the attention that it has. So, whether you give it a cursory read and pick up a few gems along the way or dive all the way, I’d recommend checking out The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy for yourself.
“The Purpose Code” Book Review
“The Purpose Code” Takes Readers Through “The Climb” of Creating Purpose
4.5
Author
Jordan Grumet, MD
Formats
Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, Kindle
Pages
230 (paperback)
From author Jordan Grumet, MD (“Taking Stock”), “The Purpose Code” not only explores the connection between purpose and happiness but also gives readers the tools for creating purpose in their own lives. Throughout the book, in addition to sharing his own experiences, Grumet also shares impactful insights from hospice patients he’s interacted with over the years. These stories further illustrate the importance of purpose and drive Grumet’s points home. Overall, readers feeling lost will hopefully find inspiration and motivation in “The Purpose Code” — although taking all of the book’s advice and completing the recommended activities may take some time.
Pros
- Shares how to create purpose in your life
- Each chapter includes a “Purpose Prescription” activity
Cons
- The activities recommended will take time to complete
Author
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