Work+Purpose = ?: Finding Your Equation
As you step into the world each morning, how often do you think about the relationship between your career and your personal sense of purpose?
It’s not an everyday thing - but these big questions do come up from time to time.
For me, it’s in the quiet moments. When my thoughts about the busy day-to-day die down, often on a walk in nature or staring out at the ocean I start to ponder what I’m actually doing with my life.
If purpose and work are on your mind this year - take a look at the different patterns of overlap. Take a minute to think about where you ‘expect’ to be, and then compare that to where you actually are.
If you’re anything like me, I was aiming for a full eclipse and expecting to feel the pull of purpose in everything I did at work. That wasn’t the reality for me. I fall somewhere in the middle (and that answer is okay!).
Separate Spheres
On one end of the spectrum, we have complete separation.
Your job is your job. Your purpose is your purpose.
One supports the other - you might say things like ‘I work to live’, or ‘I do XX in my day job, but my real passion is life is YY’.
This separation allows you to excel in your professional role while reserving your true passions for your own time.
If this is you - think about how you create boundaries for your professional life that work for you. Make sure to ask about work-life balance and schedule expectations when considering a new role.
You have purpose covered elsewhere, so think about how you can keep work interesting (if you aren’t getting fulfillment it might feel like you are just punching a clock) - by tapping into new learning opportunities, challenges, or interesting problems to solve.
The Helpers and Do-Gooders
Moving into the middle - we have some overlap between work and purpose.
The feeling of purpose comes from the impact you have on other people through your role.
You might feel fulfillment from helping the team you manage or mentor grow in their careers. Or you could experience gratitude from a customer whose problem you were able to solve.
This might also be you if you are motivated by simply doing a good job and producing something of quality - from software code to furniture.
Tap into those positive feelings when tackling the parts of the job that are less directly rewarding, and make time for things that fuel your purpose and passion outside the office as well.
The Supporters of Causes
Another step in the middle of the spectrum is the overlap of purpose and career where work supports a greater good.
You might not be front and center delivering the outcome to end users, but your work contributes to a mission that is aligned with your values and purpose.
Think: tech support for an NGO that is saving lives.
If this is you, embrace your role in the bigger narrative and know that you are making a difference. If you feel the pull of ‘more purpose’, consider how you could augment your feeling of fulfillment outside your day job. Explore other facets of how you can use your traditional skillset or lean on other interests to get that direct feeling of moving a mission forward.
The Vocationally Fulfilled
At the other end of the spectrum is the full overlap. This is where a job isn’t just a career, it is a vocation, and the purpose is there every day.
This might be you if your work feels like a calling - something you were put on this earth to do that contributes to a greater good.
Often teachers, medical professionals, and clergy fall into this category. In these types of roles, you directly see the impact of your work, which is inherently rewarding.
If this is you, think about how your identity relates to your work. As you near retirement or a point where you change occupation, it can be challenging to rebuild who you are without your work. Keep an eye on how the other beautiful parts of life complement the purpose you feel while doing your work!
None of these patterns are good or bad - there is no value judgment. This exercise is about awareness and noticing where you are today (and where you expect to be or want to be).
One of my big learnings on my journey toward purpose was to realize that I didn’t need to find one perfect answer to what my purpose or calling was. It was okay that the answer was a variety of things - some aligned to work, and others not.
I’m happy to strike a balance somewhere in the middle. My work helps people and I love to see the direct results of growth and development with my clients.
I also find purpose outside of my work and take on projects that feel important to me, even if they aren’t explicitly ‘work’. Many of my writing endeavors fall in that camp.
Wherever you are today, know that it's exactly where you're meant to be on your unique journey toward fulfillment and self-discovery.