Throughout my years of coaching and mentoring, I’ve found that no matter who I asked, from new starters to top executives, most struggle to define their purpose.
After all, if you’re unsure about your purpose, how can you effectively chart a path to where you want to be?
So, What Exactly is ‘Purpose’?
What does purpose look like, and how do you know if you’ve found it?
Knowing your purpose is like having a personal GPS, guiding your decisions and actions to align perfectly with your core values and your vision.
At its simplest, purpose is the passion for doing something you deeply love. It’s the belief that you can make a difference, not necessarily through your job, though it’s ideal if your career aligns with this passion.
Sharing knowledge, experience and tools, that help others find their pathway—that’s what I love. It’s true what they say: find what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Purpose as Your Compass
Purpose isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. It provides focus and direction. We often find ourselves pursuing goals set by others, but do these align with our own? If not, we’re likely on the wrong path.
Purpose ensures that what’s right for us aligns with what we do, benefiting us and those around us.
This is an ingredient of LeadingME® – leading yourself effectively ensures that others will follow by example. This alignment creates ease in what we do, enhancing both motivation and resilience—qualities often lacking in those without a clear purpose.
The LeadingME® Ladder of Leadership
Imagine leadership as a ladder not just reaching upwards but spanning side to side. On one side, we’re bigging it up; on the other, we’re belittling ourselves. The goal is to balance in the middle, leading from a place of true self.
This middle ground is where mental and emotional health thrive. Here, I am grounded in kindness and love, appreciating life fully.
Knowing my values, understanding my purpose, and working towards a vision that resonates deeply with who I am—this is where genuine leadership flourishes. Without this understanding, we’re merely contributing to the noise, risking our mental well-being.
Aristotle and Ikigai: A Universal Search for Purpose
The great Greek Philosopher Aristotle once said, “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” In essence, he’s speaking about purpose.
Likewise, the Japanese concept of Ikigai offers a similar perspective, suggesting that our true calling lies at the intersection of what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for. However, this last point needs your limiting beliefs to be put aside.
Finding this intersection isn’t just about answering these questions on the surface—it requires a deep, introspective dive to discover what truly drives us beyond superficial desires or expectations.
Embracing Your Journey
Identifying and embracing your purpose transforms more than just your career—it enriches your entire existence. It influences how you interact with others, the satisfaction you derive from daily activities, and your mental and emotional health.
If you are reading this and need some help, I developed an online course, “Decision Making Made Easy™,” which consists of a six-step strategy for easy decision-making, which includes clarifying your values, purpose, and vision.
So, let’s continue to explore, define, and refine our purposes. Our purpose changes over our lifetime, so check in with yours. After all, it’s not just about finding where we fit in the world—it’s about making the place where we stand truly ours.
Stay True, Stay You
And Keep Bringing Out Your Brilliance!
