The Psychology of Purpose: Acting Despite Uncertainty and Fear
The Silent Inner Knowing
William James once wrote,
"In the dim background of our mind, we know, meanwhile, what we ought to be doing, but somehow we cannot start.
The mental state which we are in when we are unable to get ourselves to act is very curious. We know that we ought to act, and yet we cannot make the move. It is as if the mind knows the course it ought to take, but it feels a reluctance or hesitancy.
Our rational understanding tells us what we must do, but we cannot start.
The solution, however, is not in waiting for perfect conditions. What is required is that we take the risks and make the leap, for only by plunging into the unknown can we begin to fulfil our potential."
This passage from William James' The Principles of Psychology touches upon an aspect of knowing our purpose, capturing the essence of what many of us experience at some point in life—the tension between knowing what we should be doing and the difficulty of actually taking the first step. It reveals the disconnect between awareness of our purpose and the action required to begin living it. This struggle lies at the heart of James’ broader exploration of the will, motivation, and human behaviour.
The "dim background" of our mind, as James describes it, is a kind of vague but persistent awareness of what we ought to be doing. It is the quiet, almost imperceptible sense that there is more to life than our current routine—a knowing of our purpose or the next steps we need to take. Even when we feel we have clarity on what we want or need to do, we can still find ourselves unable to act. It’s as though we intellectually know what is right, but emotionally and psychologically, we hesitate.
This feeling of reluctance or hesitation is part of the challenge of aligning our inner understanding with our outer actions.
James’ philosophy often examines the psychological conflict between intellectual awareness and practical execution. This tension between knowing and doing is something we all experience in various forms. We know what is expected of us, or we sense what is right, but taking that first step is elusive. There are often internal barriers—fear, doubt, and inertia—that keep us from moving forward. These mental blocks, however, are not insurmountable, and James proposes that action, even in the face of uncertainty, is the path to overcoming them.
The idea of acting without perfect clarity is central to James’ view on growth and potential.
He argues that it is only by embracing risk and plunging into the unknown that we can begin to fulfil our potential. In other words, waiting for the "perfect moment" or for conditions to be ideal will often keep us trapped in inaction. The first leap—however small—toward action is what propels us forward, and with each step we take, the path becomes clearer.
Purpose, then, is not something that can be searched for in a linear, step-by-step way.
Instead, it is something we sense deep within us, buried under the noise of everyday life. It’s not always rational or clear, but it intends for us to express ourselves. When we try to ignore that inner knowing, we feel a sense of emptiness and frustration. It’s as though life itself is urging us to listen and to act. It wants us to take the risks involved, to silence the ego, and to ignore the voices—both our own and those of others—that tell us to play it safe and follow the easiest, most secure path.
To live in alignment with our purpose, we must harmonise our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
There can be no conflict between what we think, what we feel, and how we live.
Every aspect of our being needs to be in balance. The roadblocks we face along the way are not signs of failure, but tests of our resolve and commitment to our purpose. These challenges push us away from the familiar, pulling us closer to the life we are meant to live. Each obstacle is an opportunity to strengthen our resolve and deepen our commitment to what truly matters.
Perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn is that we do not need to chase happiness.
Happiness is not a destination, but a way of being. When we stop seeking happiness as an external achievement, we begin to see that it is woven into the very fabric of how we live our lives, moment to moment. Similarly, purpose is not something that can be found through relentless searching. Purpose is found in how we live—in our willingness to show up fully in our lives, to love, to give, and to embrace the present moment.
Purpose is not a doing thing, it is a being thing. It is found in the way we move through the world—not by following a prescribed set of steps, but by living from a place of love, intention, and authenticity.
When we stop trying to force purpose into a mould and instead open ourselves to living in harmony with our inner knowing, we begin to experience the life we were meant to lead. And in this way, we can fulfil our potential—not by waiting for the perfect conditions, but by taking the leap, step by step, into the unknown.
Don’t forget to get your copy of, How did I get here? A guide to letting go of your past & living in alignment with your true self, available on Amazon or to order at your favourite bookstore.