I haven't read that book, but yes exactly! I wish I had the ability to remove "find your purpose" from our language. You can't find a purpose or passion lying around. You can't take someone else's. You have to build it up yourself slowly over time.

I started writing code when I was young, and I decided early to be a software engineer early in my life. I often heard comments like "wow you found your passion so young!" I feel like that "found" thinking ignores all the time spent coding and messing around on computers. Also all the things I didn't do with that time. Kids probably have a few cheat codes, but I think most adults can set aside time and plan to do the same types of things.

At the end of the day, I think building a passion is an investment in yourself. It's something that does cost a lot of time and effort. It's worth searching around and trying new things, but don't let yourself just flip through a "purposes" list. Trust yourself to build a purpose worth your time.