At Be Kind Coaching, we focus on supporting parents of young children, helping them navigate tantrums, big emotions, and the challenges of raising kind, confident kids. But parenting doesn’t stop when kids grow up—it evolves. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Will Kirsop, founder of Many Roads and a dedicated teen coach.
Will works with teenagers to develop a growth mindset, seeing life as an ongoing process rather than a series of finish lines. He helps teens step out of autopilot, take ownership of their choices, and intentionally build the life they want—whether that means designing a career, fostering meaningful relationships, or making time to surf every morning.
In this blog, Will will be sharing his insights on helping teens ask the right questions: What does purpose have to do with life? His work empowers teens to shape their future with purpose instead of simply going through the motions.
We’re thrilled to have him share his expertise and can’t wait for you to dive in.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
By Will Kirsop, Founder and Teen Coach at Many Roads
For centuries, humanity has grappled with a fundamental question: What is our purpose in life? From ancient philosophers to modern psychologists, this quest has transcended cultures and eras. Today, science affirms that discovering purpose is not just a philosophical ideal—it’s a tangible path to better health, wellbeing, and success.
For teens navigating an increasingly complex world, discovering purpose can be transformative. Supporting them in this journey isn’t just about self-reflection; it’s a profound investment in their resilience, confidence, and ability to thrive.
Historical Perspectives on Purpose
The concept of purpose has deep roots across cultures and history. In ancient Greece, Aristotle described eudaimonia—a life of flourishing and virtue—as humanity’s ultimate aim. Similarly, the Japanese concept of ikigai highlights the intersection of what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for.
These ideas resonate with Helen Keller’s wisdom:
“True happiness… is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
This enduring pursuit reflects a universal truth: purpose shapes how we connect with others and contribute to the greater good.
The Science of Purpose
Modern research defines purpose as a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something personally meaningful that also contributes to the world. It involves three key components:
- Personal meaning: What deeply resonates with us.
- Goal orientation: A sense of direction or ambition.
- Aims beyond the self: Actions that benefit others and society.
Studies consistently link purpose to improved wellbeing, mental health, and academic engagement. Teens with a strong sense of purpose experience higher optimism, hope, and life satisfaction. Even the process of exploring purpose can lead to greater resilience and fulfillment.
Helping Teens Discover Their Purpose
The teenage years are a pivotal time for identity formation and self-discovery. Teens benefit greatly from mentors, parents, and educators who can guide them through this journey. Practical approaches, like the Life Crafting framework, offer structured steps to help uncover purpose:
- Identifying values and passions.
- Reflecting on their ideal future.
- Setting actionable goals.
- Committing publicly to their plans.
These tools empower teens to approach life’s challenges with confidence and clarity, laying the foundation for a life of meaning and fulfillment.
Living the Questions
As Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Purpose isn’t just about self-discovery—it’s about sharing our gifts with the world to make a lasting impact.
When we help teens uncover their purpose, we give them the confidence to face life’s challenges and the vision to make a difference. Imagine a generation of young people with the clarity to set meaningful goals, the courage to chase them, and the heart to create positive change.
By guiding teens to discover their unique gifts, we empower them to live meaningful, impactful lives—and in doing so, we strengthen our families, schools, and communities.
Explore More: Tools like Life Crafting can set the foundation for teens to thrive. Learn how to bring this framework to your family or community by connecting with Will at [email protected]
