Unveiling the Purpose of Your Life and Career

Last week, when a colleague asked me about my purpose, I was momentarily stumped. It wasn’t the complexity of the question that unsettled me but its depth. Shouldn’t I, of all people, know the “why” of my existence? The incident made me reflect on the profound connection between knowing one’s purpose and living a fulfilling life, including finding and doing work you truly love.

Purpose gives direction, motivates action, and fosters resilience when challenges arise. Without a clear purpose, life can feel like an endless series of activities without meaning or coherence. Yet, many of us drift through life without consciously examining what truly drives us. This lack of clarity can seep into our professional lives, leaving us disengaged and yearning for a deeper connection with what we do.

Purpose matters because it aligns what you do (your actions) with who you are (your values and passions). It transforms work from mere labor into something that feels intrinsically rewarding. Studies show that individuals with a clear sense of purpose not only perform better but also experience higher levels of satisfaction and happiness.

What If You Don’t Know Your Purpose?
Many people are unsure of their purpose, and that’s okay. Purpose is not always innate or obvious—it can evolve over time and be discovered through experiences. The key is to remain curious and open to self-exploration.

Here are some steps to begin the journey of uncovering your purpose:

1. Reflect on Your Values and Passions
   Ask yourself what truly matters to you. Is it helping others, creating something new, solving problems, or building connections? Think about the moments when you felt most alive or fulfilled. These moments are often clues to your core values and passions.
2. Examine Your Skills and Strengths
   Purpose often lies at the intersection of what you love and what you are good at. Take stock of your skills and consider how they can be used to serve a cause greater than yourself.
3. Look Beyond Yourself
   Purpose often transcends personal ambitions. It’s about contributing to something bigger, whether it’s a community, an organisation, or the world at large. Reflect on how your unique gifts can make a difference.
4. Embrace Experimentation
   If you’re unsure about your purpose, try new things. Volunteer for causes that interest you, explore hobbies, or take on projects that challenge you. These experiences can reveal hidden passions and guide you toward your purpose.
5. Seek Feedback
   Sometimes, others can see our strengths and potential more clearly than we can. Ask trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues what they see as your greatest strengths and contributions. 

Finding Purpose in Your Work
The alignment of purpose with work is often described as the sweet spot of a fulfilling career. But finding a job you love is not just about passion—it’s also about understanding how your purpose can create value in the workplace.

Here are three steps to align your purpose with your career:

1. Clarify Your Career Goals
   Start by defining what success means to you. Is it financial security, creative freedom, social impact, or a combination of these?
2. Explore the Intersection of Passion and Market Need
   Ask yourself, “What do I love doing that the world needs and is willing to pay for?” This intersection is where passion meets practicality.
3. Build a Purposeful Career Path
   Even if your current job doesn’t perfectly align with your purpose, look for ways to infuse meaning into your work.

Purpose is not a destination but a journey. It evolves as you grow, learn, and encounter new experiences. Regular reflection is essential to ensure your actions and choices remain aligned with your purpose.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl is an alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Swedish Institute of Management Program. An experienced and versatile leader, she comes with nearly four decades of professional experience. She has over the years successfully overseen the communications and public affairs function and led the corporate social responsibility strategy for Bayer South Asia, Pfizer, and Monsanto, among others. Sarita has held multiple roles across diverse industries, the public sector, trade associations, MNCs, and the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of interest include advocacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and communications.

As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.