How to Cultivate a Sense of Purpose

A senior manager I’ve been coaching recently asked: How do I define my purpose and ensure it aligns with my company's mission? It's a common question and a critical one. The first step is clarity—understanding what drives you. What gets you excited to jump out of bed in the morning? That’s where your personal purpose begins. Here are the questions I walked them through to help clarify their individual purpose: > What do you care about most deeply? What brings you fulfillment whenever you engage with it? > What strengths or skills do you naturally bring to the table? How do these make you effective? > Reflect on your proudest achievements. What common themes emerge? > What motivates you to keep pushing forward, even when challenges arise? > When you think about your legacy, what do you hope people will say about your impact? > If you could focus your energy on one global problem or opportunity that aligns with your strengths and values, what would it be? > What unique perspective do you bring? How does it set you apart? > If you had to distill all of this into one mission, what change would you want to create? > On a personal level, why does this matter to you? What deeper fulfillment does it bring? If you haven’t explored these questions before, I highly recommend taking the time to do so. The answers will not only help you find your purpose—they’ll also guide you in aligning that purpose with your company’s goals. Once you’re clear on what drives you, opportunities to align with company objectives will appear naturally, often in the most unexpected places. For me, it's all about growth. It’s a value I hold deeply. And as a result, I constantly encounter opportunities to support growth—whether at an individual, team, or company level. Take the time to reflect. The clarity you gain will empower you to make more intentional, impactful decisions.

The hardest truth we avoid: “If I just fix my circumstances, I’ll be happy.” But life isn’t unbearable because of circumstances. It’s unbearable because of a lack of meaning. Here’s how to find it when things feel heavy: 1. Ask “what for?” not “why me?” ↳ What purpose can this challenge serve? ↳ What lesson is hidden here? ↳ Purpose reframes pain. 2. Define your non-negotiables. ↳ Write down 3 values you refuse to compromise ↳ Align your daily actions to them ↳ Consistency creates meaning 3. Attach effort to impact. ↳ Who benefits from the work you do? ↳ Write down one name today ↳ Faces give fuel where goals fall flat 4. Create small wins with purpose. ↳ Don’t chase massive change overnight ↳ Ask: “What’s one thing I can do today that aligns with my values?” ↳ Progress is meaning in motion Stop asking: “When will life get easier?” Start asking: “What makes life worth carrying?” Because purpose doesn’t remove the weight. It makes the weight worth lifting. Follow Brad Connors for more insights.

Why Purpose in Work Matters: In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and a never-ending inbox, it’s easy to feel stuck in a rut—especially when the initial excitement of your career fades, and the routine of firefighting takes over. So, how do you keep going? The answer lies in purpose. It’s not just about good habits or grit—it’s about finding meaning in what you do every day. When work feels meaningful, you are more engaged, perform better, and are less likely to look for another job. Purpose fuels not just productivity but long-term commitment. I discovered my own sense of purpose well after a decade into working. Initially, I was only focused on doing things well. But over time, I found inspiration in my company’s purpose. That spark gave my work new meaning and propelled me to a turning point in my career. Today’s professionals seem to grasp this concept early on, seeking out orgs that align with their values and make a positive impact. And that’s exciting! Tips on Finding Purpose:- 1. Examine Your Organisation’s Purpose: Does it resonate with you? When your work connects to something bigger, it’s easier to find motivation. 2.Look to Role Models: Entrepreneurs and leaders driven by purpose show how it can lead to lasting impact beyond just profits. Learning from their journeys can guide you toward your own sense of purpose. 3. Find Purpose in the Small Moments: Purpose doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the everyday actions—whether it’s creating inclusive spaces or supporting small businesses. Work as a Source of Purpose Work isn’t just about the paycheck or promotions. It’s about the sense of identity, accomplishment, and social connection that it offers. When we find fulfillment in our jobs, work stops being a mere obligation and becomes an integral part of our lives. For instance, a colleague told me she values her office environment because it gives her a space to be recognised for her professional skills, distinct from her identity at home. The "break" from household chores also motivates her, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Rethinking Work-Life Balance Work-life balance is often framed as a struggle between two opposing forces: work as a "necessary evil" and life as the source of joy. This mindset can diminish the significance of work. Instead, I prefer to think of a balanced life, where work, family, leisure, and personal growth coexist without being in constant competition. A holistic approach, where work is one of many fulfilling activities, leads to greater overall satisfaction. Work isn’t separate from life—it’s a vital element of it. Purpose gives depth to our work. When you align your work with something bigger than yourself, not only does it become less stressful, but it can also propel career success. What gives you a sense of purpose in your work? Do share your thoughts! #careergrowth #purpose    

The root of purpose isn't fixed; it's evolving. And the key to effective leadership is embracing this fact. If you want to generate energy when it comes to your personal development, here are 8 strategies: 1. Sense-Making: Decode your surroundings by interpreting data (information) and recognising underlying patterns. Understand these patterns, without judgement or opinion of them, and practice the art of describing them. Get closer to the way things are. 2. Self-Awareness: This is the foundation of effective leadership because it requires you to devote yourself to uncovering all the filters and conditioning you employ to answer the question, "Who am I?" Discard anything that doesn't serve you well. 3. Meaning-Making: A personal exploration of what matters to you. And why. Question your motivations. Everyone gets attached, including you. Cultivate an inclusive atmosphere where team members share where they currently attach meaning. 4. Evolving Purpose: Understand that purpose is fluid and evolves with experiences and context.  Liberate yourself from the idea that purpose is behind you, pushing, or ahead, pulling. You are the engine of purpose in the here and now. This encourages creativity, resilience, and innovation. 6. Critical Thinking: Continually observe, surface assumptions, and make actionable decisions. This breathes life into both personal and organisational decision making. 7. Move from "plan-ability" to adaptability: Transform the traditional organisational obsession for fixing the future a certain way. No living entity in nature does this except us. Nature thrives on adaptability. This helps ensure long-term success in a changing business landscape. 8. Continuous Reflection: Engage in ongoing reflection and active interaction with current realities.  This keeps purpose dynamic and relevant, propelling individual satisfaction and collective success.

Ikigai (生きがい) In Japan, we often speak of "Ikigai", the idea that true fulfillment lies where your passions, strengths, societal needs, and contributions overlap. It's more than a career philosophy. It's a roadmap for creating a life that is meaningful, purposeful, and sustainable. In the rush of today's tech-driven and globally connected workplaces, we often sprint from one deadline to the next without stopping to breathe. Yet the professionals who thrive are those who intentionally reconnect their strengths and passions with the contribution they want to make in the world. Ikigai has changed the way I think about leadership and contribution. When your skills fuel your passion, and your passion creates value for others, work becomes more than a task; it becomes my passion. It becomes the reason you wake up excited, even on difficult days. Ikigai also evolves. What felt meaningful at age 20 is different from what feels meaningful at 30 or 40. Career growth isn't just climbing upward; it's moving toward deeper alignment. Sometimes that means reinventing your role, learning new skills, or rediscovering what truly motivates you. And in global business, I've learned that purpose is contagious as well. When leaders operate from Ikigai, their teams feel it. They communicate more clearly, collaborate more naturally, and pursue goals with greater resilience. Purpose creates momentum. So as we plan for the year ahead, this week is an invitation to pause and reflect: - What are the skills that come naturally to you? - What kinds of work make you lose track of time? - What impact feels most meaningful to you? - And how can you bring those elements closer together? Question: What gives you the most profound sense of purpose in your work? #Ikigai #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CareerDevelopment #JapaneseBusinessCulture #WorkMeaning

There's a painfully obvious reason many of us lack direction. When I closed my business earlier this year, my next steps were already clear. Rather than feel lost, my focus was on finding the next vehicle to my destination. That's the power of purpose. I was still presented with a range of problems to solve to get back on track, but I never doubted what I had to do or why. This is your anchor, without it unexpected change can make you feel... lost. Without a clear mission, you drift. And drifting is exhausting. Here’s what helped me gain my sense of purpose: 1️⃣ Connect with what excites you Curiosity led me to business, e-commerce and marketing. Explore your natural interests, and if you're not sure what those are, then explore everything you can. 2️⃣ Set small, directional goals Huge targets can be overwhelming. I started with tiny, achievable wins that built momentum and solidified my direction of travel. 3️⃣ Surround yourself with energy I actively sought out people chasing big goals. Their drive rubbed off on me. 4️⃣ Create before you consume Publishing my thoughts online has only given me clarity on what I care about most, and attracted opportunities I didn’t expect. 5️⃣ Say yes more often Opportunities lead to clarity. Even if you’re unsure, lean in and test. You can always pivot later. Purpose isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you create by moving. If you’re feeling directionless right now, start small, say yes, and keep taking steps forward. Your next mission could be closer than you think.

Everyone you meet asks the same questions: “What do you do for living?” “Are you married?” “Do you own a house?” As if life is a checklist you are supposed to complete. Career ✅ Marriage ✅ Property ✅ But almost no one asks: “Are you happy?” “Do you feel a sense of purpose?” This pattern isn’t accidental. It’s psychological. We default to visible markers of success because they are easy to compare and socially validate. A title, a ring, a mortgage, they help people quickly decide whether someone is “doing well.” But psychology tells a different story. According to Self-Determination Theory, human well-being depends on three internal needs: 👉Autonomy - feeling in control of your choices 👉Competence - feeling capable and growing 👉Relatedness - feeling meaningfully connected Notice what’s missing: status symbols. You can check every box on society’s list 🧾 and still feel empty if your life doesn’t support these needs. Without autonomy, success feels like pressure. Without competence, progress feels hollow. Without relatedness, achievements feel lonely. Purpose emerges when these needs are met, not when expectations are met. That’s why so many people look successful but feel lost. Maybe the real question isn’t “What have you achieved? But “Does the life you are building actually belong to you?” #Psychology #SelfDeterminationTheory #Purpose #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness

Here's some terrible advice people give veterans. "Find your purpose.” I know… I’ve preached that constantly, myself. But I think I’ve been wrong in hindsight. Because that advice keeps people stuck. It makes purpose sound like an allusive hidden object. Like if you don’t “feel it” yet, you shouldn’t move. And that’s the trap. Purpose isn’t something you find. It’s something you build. Usually after you commit to something long enough to earn meaning from it. I didn’t “find” purpose after the military. I very literally stumbled into it. Repeatedly. Recruiter Recruiting agency owner Entrepreneurship coach Content creator Baker (indentured servant, really LOL) There was no intentional master plan in that list. I didn't leave the military with the slightest inkling towards entrepreneurship. Just me following opportunities that felt interesting… then following the next one… and the next one... like a hound on a scent. Sometimes that’s all discovery is after service. Searching around blindly like a squirrel looking for a nut. Most days you find nothing. Then one day you find something that surprises you and changes your perspective on everything. That's what happened to me when I first figured out I could run a business myself. Here is the myth that keeps vets stuck: “I need clarity before I start.” Here’s the truth: “Action creates clarity.” So if you’re trying to rebuild purpose, don’t wait for an epiphany. A Eureka! moment. Run reps. These 3 reps helped me more than any “purpose talk” ever did: Ship something every week. A post. A product. A pitch. A loaf. Doesn’t matter. Just get something out the door. Obviously, don't break the bank, but be intentional about it. Talk to 5 real humans in person. Customers. Mentors. Other vets. Having face-to-face conversations is the best way to feel out situations and opportunities. Protect 2 non-negotiables at home. Your marriage. Your kids. Your health. Purpose that costs you your family or your sanity isn’t purpose. It’s escape. Remember, purpose only shows up after you start moving. Not before. If you feel stuck right now, try this: What’s one small thing you can ship this week just to create forward motion? 📸 : Kristen and me rocking our new Crafted Coastal Bakery swag

“FOLLOW YOUR PASSION” That advice is everywhere. And it is misleading! Passion is overrated. It fades, shifts, and often sends you in the wrong direction. Chasing it can leave you restless and disconnected from what truly matters. PURPOSE is different. Purpose sustains you when enthusiasm wears off. It keeps you grounded when the excitement fades. It gives your work meaning beyond the initial spark. Here are 10 truths about purpose-driven careers: #1. Passion is unreliable. Your interests will change over time. What matters is finding purpose in your work, something that lasts when passion dies. #2. Work should energize you. If your career feels like an exhausting grind, you are out of alignment. Purposeful work fuels you instead of draining you. #3. Impact creates fulfillment. Satisfaction comes from knowing your work makes a difference through leadership, creativity, or technical expertise. #4. Passion alone will not sustain you. Long-term success requires a combination of passion, skill, and market demand. Purpose emerges at that intersection. #5. Your values are the compass. Align your work with your values, not just your interests. Values provide a deeper and more lasting sense of purpose. #6. Chasing passion without direction leads to burnout. Without a sense of impact or meaning, passion fizzles out, and frustration takes its place. #7. Growth fuels purpose. The most fulfilling careers offer continuous learning and challenge. Growth, not excitement, keeps you engaged. #8. Purpose evolves with experience. As you grow, your understanding of purpose will shift. This is not failure. It is progress. #9. Flow signals alignment. When you lose yourself in work that challenges and engages you, that is flow. This is where purpose often lives. #10. Purpose does not have to be something extraordinary. It can be as simple as solving problems, adding value, or mastering your craft. Stop chasing passion. Start building purpose. That is where sustainable success lives.

You’d think we'd have the purpose part wrapped up as nonprofit leaders. But we do sometimes take that piece for granted. But purpose isn’t just about having a mission. It’s about making sure everyone knows where they fit in it. Because when people don’t see how their work connects, their day-to-day can become just a series of tasks. Meaning drains out, and burnout fills in. The fix? Help people see how their work moves your mission forward. You can build clarity of purpose into your culture with small, repeatable actions: • 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 → Write what success looks like for each position, not just tasks, but outcomes. If you get stuck here, try this: Ask team members to write down: 1. One task they do regularly 2. Why it matters to the people you serve 3. What happens if it 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 get done • 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 → Use a simple RACI chart to show who’s Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. For example, if you’re producing an annual report:   – The communications manager is 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦   – The executive director is 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦   – Program staff are 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘥   – The board is 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 Everyone knows their role, and that builds trust. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 → For example, show how a Development Coordinator’s weekly tasks directly support your strategic goal to increase donor retention. • 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 → Open with a client story, a quote from a frontline staff member, or a small win that reflects your impact. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 → Don’t just assign a newsletter draft. Say, “This update is how we will connect our 1,200 supporters to our mission.” • 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 → Don’t wait for annual reviews. Use quarterly check-ins to keep people up-to-date on why their work matters. Purpose becomes powerful when it’s made visible. Where are you making that connection clear right now? And where can you make it stronger?