We often talk about “purpose” at work and in life. But very few people actually know how to discover it.
Most of us confuse “wants” with “purpose.” We chase titles, money, recognition, or even just comfort. But purpose runs deeper. It’s what makes you wake up without an alarm clock. It’s the thing you’d do even if nobody was watching.
Through years of working with people and observing careers, I’ve found that there are six levels of desire and motivation. You move from a vague wish to a burning life purpose. And once you reach the top, you don’t need motivation anymore—because your life pulls you forward.
The good news? With the right reflection and some smart use of AI tools, you can climb these levels faster.
Let’s break this down.
Level 0: “Good to Have” — What Everyone Wants
This is the starting point. These are the generic wishes we all have:
“I want to be rich.” “I want a good job.” “I want to be fit.”
Nothing wrong here—but at this stage, it’s more of a wishlist than a plan.
Example:
Think of someone who says, “I want to learn Spanish someday.” It sounds nice, but there’s no clear reason or plan behind it.
How AI Can Help at Level 0:
AI can turn vague desires into tangible ideas. For example:
Use ChatGPT to brainstorm “10 reasons why learning Spanish could change my life and career.” Use Pinterest + AI image tools to create a vision board of what “being rich, fit, or multilingual” might actually look like.
At this stage, AI acts like a mirror—helping you make abstract wishes more visible.
Level 1: Logical Reason
Here, the wish becomes logical. You find a reason behind it.
“I want to be fit because good health will help me live longer.” “I want to learn Spanish because it will open up career opportunities in Latin America.”
This stage is about connecting your head to the goal.
Example:
An HR professional might say:
“I want to learn about AI in HR because I know it will be a critical skill for the future of work.”
How AI Can Help at Level 1:
Use Google Gemini or ChatGPT to research, “What are the top 5 benefits of HR professionals learning AI?” Ask AI to create a simple study plan: 30 minutes a day, 3 months, and you’ll know the basics.
Here AI provides structure and turns a good idea into a logical next step.
Level 2: Deep Personal Reason and Emotional Drive
Now the goal becomes personal. You feel it in your heart.
“I want to be fit because I want to play football with my kids as they grow.” “I want to learn Spanish because my grandmother speaks it, and I want to connect with her before it’s too late.”
This is when motivation gets real.
Example:
An HRBP may realize:
“I want to learn AI not just for my career, but because I don’t want my team to feel irrelevant in 5 years. I want to protect their future.”
How AI Can Help at Level 2:
AI tools can help uncover deeper meaning by asking better questions.
Try journaling with AI: Ask, “Help me reflect: Why does this goal matter to me personally?” Use an AI coach (like Replika or Mindsera) that nudges you to uncover emotional drivers.
Here AI becomes a coach, helping you go deeper than surface-level logic.
Level 3: Emotional Desire Felt Deeply
At this stage, emotion turns into energy. The desire is not just personal—it’s powerful. You feel a sense of urgency.
“I need to get fit because I refuse to live with preventable illness.” “I must learn Spanish because I can’t bear not understanding my grandmother.”
Example:
The HRBP from earlier might say:
“If I don’t learn AI in the next 2 years, I’ll miss the chance to lead transformation. I don’t want to look back with regret.”
How AI Can Help at Level 3:
AI visualization tools like Kaiber or Runway can create a video of your “future self” achieving the goal. Seeing it emotionally reinforces the desire. Use ChatGPT to role-play: “Imagine it’s 2028. I failed to learn AI. What regrets would I have?”
Here, AI helps you feel the consequences and rewards—deepening the emotional connection.
Level 4: Emotional Desire Turned into Decision
Emotion now becomes a commitment. You cross the bridge from wanting to deciding.
“I will run a half marathon in March next year.” “I will learn Spanish, 30 minutes a day, starting today.”
Example:
Our HRBP says:
“I will enroll in an AI for HR course this quarter and complete it by year-end. No excuses.”
How AI Can Help at Level 4:
AI thrives in helping with commitments:
Use Notion AI or ClickUp AI to turn goals into actionable tasks. Ask AI to generate reminders, habit trackers, or milestone checklists.
Here, AI is your execution partner.
Level 5: Life Purpose
This is the highest level. Logic and emotion fuse. Desire becomes part of who you are.
“I don’t need motivation to be fit. It’s just who I am.” “I don’t need reminders to speak Spanish. It’s part of my identity.”
At this stage, you don’t “push” yourself. Your purpose pulls you forward.
Example:
The HRBP reaches a point where AI in HR is not just a course or a skill. It’s a calling. They see themselves as someone who will shape how humans and machines work together.
How AI Can Help at Level 5:
AI can help you live your purpose daily. Use daily reflection prompts: “What did I do today that aligns with my purpose?” Use AI-driven communities (LinkedIn groups, Slack bots, Circle communities) to stay surrounded by people living a similar mission.
Here, AI is your lifelong companion, making your purpose visible and actionable every single day.
So How Do You Move Up These Levels?
Think of AI not as the answer, but as a compass. It won’t hand you your purpose on a platter. But it will accelerate your self-discovery.
At Level 0, AI makes your dreams visible.
At Level 1, AI brings logic and structure.
At Level 2, AI helps you reflect and uncover personal meaning.
At Level 3, AI deepens emotion through visualization and role-play.
At Level 4, AI turns commitments into systems.
At Level 5, AI reinforces your identity and keeps you aligned.
Final Thought
Most people stay stuck at Level 0 or Level 1. They want what everyone else wants. They collect reasons, but never move deeper.
But once you move into Levels 2–5, life changes. You no longer need motivation. You don’t chase purpose—your purpose chases you.
And today, with AI as a coach, a planner, and a companion, the journey is faster than ever before.
So ask yourself:
Where am I today on this ladder of desire? And how can I use AI to climb one step higher this week?
Because the sooner you move up, the sooner you stop living someone else’s script—and start living your own.
External links:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/s/P3A6updtQq
Suggested prompt in this Reddit article:
“I need you to help me find my Ikigai. Because being an AI, you are very good at pattern findings and huge information synthesis. I want you to use the methods from the book “The Mom Test” to investigate each part of my Ikigai iteratively. Do you understand?”
You can simplify it to just:
“I need you to help me find my Ikigai. I want you to use the methods from the book “The Mom Test” to investigate each part of my Ikigai.”