Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything

by Victor J. Strecher

Overview

A pioneer in the field of behavioral science delivers a groundbreaking work that shows how finding your purpose in life leads to better health and overall happiness.

Your life is a boat. You need a rudder. But it doesn’t matter how much wind is in your sails if you’re not steering toward a harbor—an ultimate purpose in your life.

While the greatest philosophers have pondered purpose for centuries, today it has been shown to have a concrete impact on our health. Recent studies into Alzheimer’s, heart disease, stroke, depression, functional brain imaging, and measurement of DNA repair are shedding new light on how and why purpose benefits our lives.

Going beyond the fads, opinions, and false hopes of “expert” self-help books, Life on Purpose explores the incredible connection between purposeful living and the latest scientific evidence on quality of life and longevity. Drawing on ancient and modern philosophy, literature, psychology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and neuroscience, as well as his experience in public health research, Dr. Vic Strecher reveals the elements necessary for a purposeful life and how to acquire them, and outlines an elegant strategy for improving energy, willpower, and long-term happiness, and well-being. He integrates these core themes into his own personal story—a tragedy that led him to reconsider his own life—and how a deeper understanding of purposeful living helped him not only survive, but thrive.

Illuminating, accessible, and authentically grounded in real people’s experiences, Life on Purpose is essential reading for everyone seeking lasting improvement in their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062409607
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/10/2016
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	501,888
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Victor J. Strecher is a professor and director for innovation and social entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He has published over 100 articles in scientific journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and Nature Neuroscience and coedited the book Oncology: An Evidence-Based Approach. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Part 1 A Harbor 1

Chapter 1 Crossroads 3

Chapter 2 Origins of Purpose 19

Chapter 3 Our Best Purpose 35

Chapter 4 Self-Transcendence 59

Chapter 5 Miracles, God, and the Afterlife 79

Part 2 Wind and a Rudder 99

Chapter 6 Energy 101

Chapter 7 Willpower 113

Part 3 Space 127

Chapter 8 Sleep 129

Chapter 9 Presence 143

Chapter 10 Activity 163

Chapter 11 Creativity 179

Chapter 12 Eating 199

Part 4 Learning to Sail 217

Chapter 13 Sailing Through Storms 219

Chapter 14 An Excellent Sailor 235

Acknowledgments 247

Notes 249

Index 267

Editorial Reviews

In an eloquently written collection of real life stories, relevant evidence-based research, and his own personal journey, Dr. Strecher compels the reader to develop a strong transcending purpose in life. Life on Purpose should be a part of every personal and leadership development must-read list.” — Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take

“In an eloquently written collection of real life stories, relevant evidence-based research, and his own personal journey, Dr. Strecher compels the reader to develop a strong transcending purpose in life. Life on Purpose should be a part of every personal and leadership development must-read list.” — Bob Carr, President-elect of the American College of Preventive Medicine

“Vic Strecher provides us with the true secret to living life with health and wellness. The prevention of heart disease is much more than what we eat and the amount of activity we do, it is living your life with purpose.” — Suzanne Steinbaum, M.D. Director of Women's Heart Health at the Heart and Vascular Institute, Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City

“Brilliant blend of personal experience and scientific research. The authenticity of Vic’s message provides stunning insights into life’s most compelling mysteries and questions.” — Dr. Jim Loehr, Co-Founder of the Human Performance Institute, and co-author of The New York Times bestseller The Power of Full Engagement

“Victor Strecher has written what I would best describe as a ‘gift.’ He gifts us the ability to define our purpose and immediately start instilling into our own lives. Make no mistake, understanding this concept is not only good for your health — it is good for the whole world.” — Sanjay Gupta, New York Times bestselling author and Chief Medical Correspondent CNN

From the Publisher

In an eloquently written collection of real life stories, relevant evidence-based research, and his own personal journey, Dr. Strecher compels the reader to develop a strong transcending purpose in life. Life on Purpose should be a part of every personal and leadership development must-read list.

Adam Grant

In an eloquently written collection of real life stories, relevant evidence-based research, and his own personal journey, Dr. Strecher compels the reader to develop a strong transcending purpose in life. Life on Purpose should be a part of every personal and leadership development must-read list.

Bob Carr

Vic Strecher provides us with the true secret to living life with health and wellness. The prevention of heart disease is much more than what we eat and the amount of activity we do, it is living your life with purpose.

Suzanne Steinbaum

Victor Strecher has written what I would best describe as a ‘gift.’ He gifts us the ability to define our purpose and immediately start instilling into our own lives. Make no mistake, understanding this concept is not only good for your health — it is good for the whole world.

Sanjay Gupta

Brilliant blend of personal experience and scientific research. The authenticity of Vic’s message provides stunning insights into life’s most compelling mysteries and questions.

Dr. Jim Loehr