Discovering Your Professional Purpose
Purpose (noun): the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
–Oxford Languages
The idea of finding your purpose may feel elusive, overwhelming, or cheesy. We often either ignore it because it seems impossible to figure out in its entirety, or we don’t have the time to explore it. However, if we don’t define purpose for ourselves, we’re often left feeling stuck and directionless or we let others dictate it for us.
Purpose boils down to your what and your why.
Sometimes your purpose is simple. If I asked why you set an alarm this morning, you may answer something like: to make sure you woke up so that you could make it to your first meeting on time, go to the gym, get your kids to school, enjoy your morning coffee, or avoid rush hour traffic.
But if I ask why you accepted your most recent role or project at work, do you have a clear answer? Does your answer align with what you really want? Does your work feel meaningful?
If not, let’s take a minute to break down your professional purpose.
Your professional purpose is found in the overlap between your talents, interests, career goals, and opportunities. Consider the following questions and jot down whatever comes to mind:
What are you best at?
What do you enjoy doing?
What achievements are you most proud of?
What topics interest you most?
What goals do you have for yourself personally or professionally?
Next, look at your notes. What patterns emerge? What lines up with your current career path? Where are there gaps?
Now, draft a statement that summarizes what you want to accomplish next and why it is important. Here are some examples:
I want to become a better manager because I want my team to be less stressed.
I want to learn to delegate so that I can focus on the role I was hired to do and stop feeling so overwhelmed
I want to get a promotion to achieve greater financial freedom.
I want to take two consecutive weeks off work so that I feel less burnt out.
Knowing your professional purpose gives you a filter for all of your decisions and actions. It doesn't need to be a lifelong mission; it could be for this week or for the next ten years.
Whatever your professional purpose is, write it down, tell someone, and go for it!
Need support as you work towards your professional purpose?
Join the Discover Your PATH Masterclass. In this three-week course, we explore more elements of purpose, detail the actions that align with our purpose, assess the best timing, and create a plan that honors you, your commitments, and your network.