Have you ever asked yourself, “What am I really here for?” It’s one of the most profound and, at times, daunting questions we face. But within that question lies an invitation for us. It’s not to find some perfect, one-size-fits-all answer, but to begin a journey of uncovering the truth of who we are, why we matter, and how we’re meant to contribute to the world.
Discovering our purpose shouldn’t leave us feeling pressured. What we need is clarity. We don’t need to rush to a finish line. Instead, we are living intentionally, with direction and meaning.
In my work coaching women leaders, transitioning professionals, and emerging changemakers, I’ve learned this: when you live from a place of purpose, you show up differently. You speak differently. You believe differently. And that shift is powerful.
Why Purpose Matters Now
The past few years have invited many of us to reassess what we truly want out of life. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, social shifts—they’ve all nudged us to reconsider what success looks like. In a recent study by McKinsey & Company, 70% of employees said their sense of purpose is defined by their work, and more than half said they were reconsidering the role of work in their lives altogether. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a call to pay attention.
Purpose isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity for our emotional and psychological well-being.
A 2021 study published by The Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who reported having a clear sense of purpose experienced lower levels of stress, higher levels of life satisfaction, and stronger mental resilience. The data confirmed what many of us feel deep down: when you’re connected to your purpose, you’re more grounded, even in the face of challenges.
So, What Is Purpose?
Let’s be clear—your purpose isn’t just your job title or your resume. It’s the intersection of your values, strengths, passions, and the impact you want to have in the world. It’s the why behind what you do.
For some, purpose looks like leading a team through change with empathy. For others, it’s raising a family with love, launching a community initiative, writing a book, or mentoring young professionals. Your purpose is personal, but its power is universal.
How Do You Begin?
Here’s the truth: you don’t find your purpose overnight. It’s not hiding under a rock or waiting at the end of a Google search. Purpose is discovered through reflection, courage, and aligned action. It unfolds in layers.
Here are three ways to begin:
1. Reflect on the Moments That Moved You
Think back to the moments in your life when you felt most alive, most useful, most fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you helping? What values were at play? Your purpose often leaves clues in those peak experiences.
2. Ask: Who Do I Want to Serve?
Purpose isn’t just about self-expression—it’s about service. Consider the people or problems that tug at your heart. Who do you feel called to help, uplift, or influence?
3. Start Small, But Start Now
You don’t need a grand plan to live purposefully. Start by aligning one decision this week—a conversation, a choice, a new goal—with what feels meaningful to you. Small steps compound.
As someone who transitioned from a 35-year global corporate career into coaching, writing, and teaching, I can tell you: it’s never too late to choose purpose. You don’t have to abandon all you’ve built—you just have to become more intentional about what you’re building next.
Final Thoughts
Purpose gives your days a sense of direction and your decisions a greater “why.” It doesn’t make life easier, but it does make it clearer. And clarity is a gift.
So if you’re in a season of questioning, know this: you are not lost. You are being invited to reconnect. Your purpose is not something you create from scratch—it’s something you remember. It’s already within you, waiting for you to say yes.
And when you do, everything begins to align.
