“If young adults could be guided in the right direction for a life journey of meaning and purpose, we would be grooming the leaders of tomorrow for a better world. This book is the perfect guide.” —Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing
What am I going to do for the rest of my life?
This question is familiar for young people at a turning point—whether it’s facing the end of high school, college, graduate school, or just a dead-end job. Maybe they have the degree they want but don’t know where to start their job search. Perhaps they’re still choosing a major and, given the range—from “Biochemistry” to “Adventure Education”—are lost in the options. Maybe they’re facing a mountain of debt but don’t want to get locked into a job they hate.
While other books might advise writing resumes or preparing for interviews, they only go so far. Young people want more than just another job—they want a life, and a meaningful one at that.
Enter The Big Picture. Created by the leading authority on self-help research and reviewed by over six hundred college students, Dr. Christine B. Whelan’s The Big Picture offers a guide to discovering one’s talents, dreams, and desires that can lead one to a fulfilling career but fulfilling life. It guides young people to take a step back and look at the “big picture” of who they are, what they want, and why they’re here.
Through quizzes and questionnaires which college students have vetted, Whelan guides the reader through “big picture” questions like,
- What are my talents—and how can I use those to help others and create meaning?
- How have my life experiences shaped who I am and what I can give?
- What do I value—and how can I be happy while being true to those values?
Although there are endless books on finding a job, this is the first book that presents research-based and tested material to help young people answer the question, What will I do with my life? The Big Picture provides the resources needed to find—and live—a purposeful life. An excellent gift for a graduate or a guide for yourself.
‘Finding work with purpose is trending these days. I spend most of my time thinking about those who want it in their encore careers, but it’s exactly what young people want, and they don’t want to wait to find it. They are determined to grab it from the start of their working lives. Which is why I’m so jazzed about University of Wisconsin professor Christine Whelan’s new book, The Big Picture: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose in Life. It’s the perfect gift for a new graduate—or for any young person stuck on the slow-moving escalator of the early working years.’
—Marci Alboher, Midcentury Modern, May 26, 2016‘Unique, original, data-driven, exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Big Picture: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose in Life is very highly recommended for community and academic library collections.’
—Susan Bethany, The Midwest Book Review, June 2016'If young adults could be guided in the right direction for a life journey of meaning and purpose, we would be grooming the leaders of tomorrow for a better world. This book is the perfect guide.'
—Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing
'For those entering adulthood, the purpose is fundamental to health, happiness, and creative work. Christine's guidebook is the finest map of the territory today and an inspiring picture of what purposeful living can be all about—if we dare! Read this book to experience your life in a whole new way!'
—Richard Leider, international bestselling author of The Power of Purpose, Life Reimagined, Work Reimagined, and Repacking Your Bags.
‘The Big Picture is a researched, accessible, and practical guide that has everything young people need to figure out what to do with their lives.’
—Pepper Schwartz, PhD, professor of sociology at the University of Washington and author of Finding your Perfect Match
‘The Big Picture is very relevant and valuable for our youth—and I’m glad to see this initiative. Exercises like these can have a transformative impact on young adults. Indeed, purpose is an area where we all benefit from deeper reflection.’
—Hitendra Wadhwa, professor, Columbia Business School
‘Whelan’s book is a must-read for those asking ‘what next?’ in college and beyond. Building off her popular classes at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Human Ecology, The Big Picture is a step-by-step guide for identifying what matters to you and how to make your mark in the world.’
—Soyeon Shim, PhD, dean of the School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
‘This book isn’t for the, ‘I think I’ll read, scratch my beard, and think’ set. It’s for doers. It’s for people who want to live fulfilled, purposeful lives. Christine Whelan gives us a book grounded in science and philosophy. It’s interactive. It’s fun. Most important, it’s wise. I loved it.’
—Victor J. Strecher, PhD, MPH, professor and director for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship, University of Michigan School of Public Health
‘The Big Picture is the ideal small-steps guide for young adults to reimagine their lives and seek purpose from the start. As the foremost expert in effective self-improvement, Christine Whelan offers a book that spans the generations.’
—Emilio Pardo, president, Life Reimagined
‘Rarely have pages in a book felt as comfortable and trustworthy as an old friend, but The Big Picture accomplishes that and more. Across the lifespan, understanding and implementing purpose in our lives is critical but can be daunting . . . not now! The journey to understanding your purpose now and beyond has been broken down into doable exercises and fun steps guaranteed to be a trip worth taking.’
—Janet Taylor, MD, MPH Psychiatrist
‘No college grad should be without this priceless wisdom. The leading expert on self-help is your guide through interactive exercises, tested advice, and powerful tools to clarify your purpose and navigate the next steps. The Big Picture is a research-based, fun way to get past uncertainty, doubt, or nagging from your parents so you can be your best self now.’
—Rich Feller, PhD, past president, National Career Development Association
‘They say laughter is the best medicine, but I disagree. The real key to lifelong health and happiness is purpose. As a physician, I have seen the power of purpose play out in the lives of people of all ages. As the father of five, I know that helping young people understand what matters most is essential to their enjoyment of all that life has to offer. I’d happily prescribe this book to anyone interested in exploring meaning in their lives. Christine Whelan doesn’t preach — she guides. Take this workbook on your journey as you ask what matters and how to make it happen.’
—Bill Thomas, MD, founder of the Age of Disruption World Tour
‘Research shows that having a purpose in life is linked to better health and better sleep — so why wait?’
—Eric Kim, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health
‘Christine Whelan’s The Big Picture should be read and experienced by every high school and college student and recommended by every parent, teacher, and mentor. At a time when so many young people are struggling to find their life’s path and purpose, this wise, warm, and witty book will help to light their way forward.’
—John J. DiIulio Jr., Frederic Fox Leadership Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Christine B. Whelan is a clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and director of MORE: Money, Relationships, and Equality. She is the bestselling author of the acclaimed 10-lecture series Finding Your Purpose, an Audible Original Great Courses program. She is the author of five books, including The Big Picture: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose in Life (Templeton Press, 2016), Generation WTF: From “What the &%#$?” to a Wise, Tenacious and Fearless You (Templeton Press, 2011), Marry Smart: The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to True Love (Simon & Schuster, 2009) and Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women (Simon & Schuster, 2006). She has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times, among other national outlets. She has appeared live on television programs and radio programs across the nation.
Acknowledgments / xv
Chapter 1: Preproduction: The Time Is Now / 3
Chapter 2: The Experiment That Could Change Your Life / 17
Part One: Character Development
Chapter 3: Carpe Diem / 27
Chapter 4: Identify Your Talents, Strengths, and Skills / 43
Chapter 5: Lose the Shoulds, Find the Values / 65
Part Two: Vision, Purpose, . . . and . . . Action!
Chapter 6: Passions in Action / 87
Chapter 7: A Vision for Change / 101
Chapter 8: Building Your Purpose / 115
Chapter 9: Committed to Purpose / 131
Part Three: Bringing Purpose to Life
Chapter 10: Plot Twists / 151
Chapter 11: Your Supporting Cast / 185
Chapter 12: Postproduction / 203
Appendix A: Survey Responses / 215
Appendix B: Blank Movie Reels / 221
References and Recommended Reading / 229
About the Author / 233
