Next week, I’ll be standing in front of 650 people—plus another 250 online—and doing something that terrifies me: I’m giving a keynote speech at the White Coat Investor Conference. And here’s the thing—I’m doing it not because I have to, not because I’m being paid a ton of money (I’m not), but because I want to.
It’s one of those things that falls squarely into the category of what I call “little P purpose”—the things we do because they’re process-oriented, rather than because we’re after a big, audacious goal. And here’s a secret: Little P purpose doesn’t mean it’s easy.
It’s funny, isn't it? We have this idea that when we’re pursuing something that lights us up, it should feel effortless. We should be gliding along with no fear, no struggle, no anxiety. It’s just a flow state, right? We’ve all heard the quote about being in the arena, fighting the good fight, but I think we often misunderstand that struggle. We think that when we’re doing what we love, it should be fun. And while it can absolutely be joyful, I’ll tell you that it’s almost never easy.
In my case, public speaking is the thing that challenges me, yet excites me. I give talks 10-15 times a year—sometimes to a small group of 10 or 15 people, sometimes to hundreds of people. Even now, with years of experience, I still get anxious before every talk. I get that pit-in-the-stomach feeling that makes me question whether I’m going to completely screw it up.
But I keep doing it. And I keep doing it because it lights me up.
For this upcoming talk, I’ve been practicing every single day for the past two months. I’ve memorized a full 50-minute presentation. That’s right: 50 minutes of content, all of it memorized, and I’m going to stand up and speak it with no notes. And the worst part? I know I’m still going to feel nervous as heck when I step on that stage.
So why, you might ask, would I voluntarily choose to do something that stresses me out? Well, here’s the thing: When I’m on stage, when I’m telling stories and connecting with the audience, I come alive. There’s something magical about seeing people completely engaged—hanging on every word—and knowing I’m part of creating that moment. It’s an incredible feeling.
But—let’s be real—I don’t love the process of practicing for weeks on end. I don’t love the anxiety that builds up before the event. I don’t love the feeling of being in the arena, constantly challenging myself to do something I’m not sure I’ll completely succeed at.
And yet, that’s exactly what Little P purpose is: it’s the pursuit of something that does light us up, but doesn’t come without its share of discomfort and struggle. It’s the choice to show up, even when you’re not sure you’re ready.
So here’s my argument: Little P purpose is not always easy. In fact, I’d argue that it’s often uncomfortable, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
When we’re pursuing something that’s meaningful to us—whether it’s public speaking, writing, art, or starting a business—there’s always going to be discomfort involved. We’re putting ourselves out there, risking failure, risking embarrassment. And it’s that discomfort, that tension, that makes it worth it. Because when we face that discomfort and move through it, we grow.
Does that mean I’m suddenly chasing big P purpose? Big P purpose, in my world, is the kind of lofty, goal-driven mission that we often read about in self-help books. That’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the joy we get from just doing the thing, even if it’s difficult, even if it challenges us, even if we don’t have some grand mission in mind.
You don’t need to have a “big goal” to make it worthwhile. Little P purpose can be found in the process itself—whether that’s perfecting a craft, learning a new skill, or standing up and speaking in front of a crowd.
Now, let’s talk about this process. This isn’t about doing something just for the end result. It’s not about having the perfect talk, or the perfect outcome. I could get up there, and maybe it’s not my best performance. Maybe the audience isn’t as engaged as I hope. Maybe I forget a line or two. But that doesn’t matter—because the process itself is what keeps me coming back.
I get excited about the work that goes into the talk, the preparation, the practice, the anticipation. And if you’re in the middle of pursuing something, and you love the process even when it’s tough, then you’re on the right track.
This isn’t about doing difficult things just for the sake of having a difficult outcome. This is about engaging in the kind of work that makes you feel alive. Even when the outcome is uncertain, even when you’re battling that voice of self-doubt, you keep doing it because you love the journey.
And there’s something magical that happens when we embrace Little P purpose in our lives. We stop waiting for the perfect conditions or the absence of fear. We stop thinking that success is the only thing that matters. We get out there, we fight the good fight, and we learn to love the struggle.
Here’s my challenge to you: Go out there and do something difficult. Something that makes you nervous. Something that pushes you outside of your comfort zone. But here’s the catch: Don’t do it because you want to “achieve” something. Do it because you love the process.
If the only time you feel joy is after you’ve reached the finish line, then maybe you’re missing out on the best part—the part where you’re fully engaged, fully alive, in the thick of it.
Little P purpose doesn’t make life easier. But it sure does make it more gratifying. So go ahead, step into the arena. The fight may be uncomfortable, but it’s where we learn the most about ourselves and where we feel most alive.
Did you catch this week’s episode of Earn & Invest (Click to listen)?
The Purpose Code is Now Available!
