Purpose isn’t what you do. It’s why you do it.
Many people believe their job must define their life’s purpose—which means that their career, ability to provide, personal or professional progress, sense of belonging and connection, and impact on others should all be aligned.
If you’ve found that kind of alignment, that’s great. But it’s not realistic for most people—and that’s okay.
In this month’s post:
Purpose is about why, not what. Fulfillment isn’t just about career alignment.
Jobs shape identity. Most people tie self-worth to their work.
Your ‘why’ drives meaning. Purpose comes from impact, not job titles.
Five keys to purpose. Belonging, learning, individuality, significance, and service.
Aligning what you do with why you do it. Your job can support your purpose and a meaningful life.
(4-minute read!)
Your Purpose Matters
Harvard Health found that a sense of purpose is linked to living longer, making healthier behaviour and lifestyle choices, and experiencing lower stress.
The problem is that, according to Training Industries Magazine, as many as 70% of people view their work as the primary defining factor in their sense of purpose. The Pew Research Center found that 39% of people feel their job or career is extremely or very important to their overall identity, which spiked to 53% if they had a university degree!
In today’s hustle culture, these statistics may not be surprising. When you ask someone what they do, they usually respond with their job title, not with their charitable efforts, how they contribute to their community, their sports or hobbies, or their role as a parent.
People of all ages struggle to feel a sense of purpose, especially younger generations, who are trying to answer the age-old question, “What am I going to be when I grow up?”
It took me until my mid-30s to answer that question when I decided to pursue a career in clinical counselling. Fortunately, I achieved alignment between my work and purpose when starting Gratus Health.
Gratus is here to help people heal better and feel better—to go from surviving to thriving mentally, emotionally, and physically. ‘Gratus’ is the Latin origin for gratitude, and my effort comes from a deep appreciation of the healing and opportunities I experienced after my spinal cord injury in 2013. Sharing this new venture with the world gives me great pride and fulfillment!
Purpose Over Paycheck
Even if you don’t have work-purpose alignment, do your purpose and paychecks need to be at odds? Can your work support your deeper ‘why’ even if it’s not a perfect match?
You don’t need perfect alignment because purpose isn’t what you do. It’s WHY you do it. A sense of purpose comes from how much you believe or feel your actions contribute to your deeper “why.”
People with a strong sense of purpose recognize that effort and hard work are significant factors in life’s fulfillment. They also note having self-agency and responsibility. Compassion for others, but most importantly, self-compassion must trump self-criticism. And those with purpose have low envy—comparing yourself to others in this way does not support a sense of purpose.
Jay Shetty, in his podcast On Purpose, outlines five key elements that shape our deeper “why”:
1. Belonging—Do I feel a deep sense of connection to something bigger? We all crave belonging and connection.
2. Continuous learning – am I cultivating knowledge and understanding, investing in my growth? Progression is an essential and meaningful motivator.
3. Individuality—Do I have a strong sense of identity in what I do? Professionally, individuality solves a problem of self-worth, but personally, it requires attention for improved self-esteem.
4. Significance—Does what I do help me feel significant? Am I making important people in my life feel significant? It’s a two-way street. Making others feel significant contributes to our own significance.
5. Service—Do I feel my professional and personal efforts influence or improve the lives of others? Serving others is a direct route to fulfillment.
A Quote:
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
- Pablo Picasso
A Thought:
If you’re ever feeling helpless, start being helpful. One is less, and one is full.
So, what’s your why? What drives you?
Maybe it’s a sense of belonging—finding connection in your community through charitable work, sports, or hobbies. Perhaps it’s a deep desire to keep learning, growing, and developing your skills. Your individuality and identity might be rooted in solving problems, helping others, or building self-worth. Or maybe your greatest fulfillment comes from contributing to your family’s well-being. Whether through service, volunteering, or philanthropy, your impact can be a powerful source of fulfillment.
Clinical counselling gives me a profound sense of purpose, and I am grateful for it, but helping others navigate life’s challenges is not my only ‘why.’ Every year, I run in the Wings For Life World Run, a global charity supporting life-changing spinal cord injury research. The event’s mantra is “Running for those who can’t.” It’s a significant “why.”
It’s on May 4th this year and you can participate anywhere using the WFL World Run App. I’ll be hosting an event in Kelowna, BC with an awesome community partner, OKGN Lifestyle. If you want to join us and run, walk, or roll together to find a cure for SCI, you can learn about the event and the charity here.
Even if your job isn’t your ultimate source of purpose, the resources it provides can help you live with greater meaning.
When you align what you do with why you do it, your work becomes a more fulfilling part of your life’s bigger picture.
If this post resonates, please share it, and don’t hesitate to reach out and book a call with me. And please grab a copy of Never Part of The Plan if you haven’t already. :)
For clinical counselling inquiries, please visit GratusHealth.com
With gratitude,
Mike Shaw
References:
