Monday morning.
Your alarm screams like a caffeine-deprived banshee. You groggily reach for the snooze button. Again. And again. And again. You finally drag yourself out of bed and into a morning routine that feels less like living and more like sleepwalking. Commuting to a job that you’re good at—maybe even great at—but something’s off. Like wearing someone else’s shoes: they technically fit, but they weren’t made for you.
If this sounds familiar, congratulations. You’re not alone—you’re part of a global club of professionals quietly asking, “Is this all there is?”
Welcome to the world of existential curiosity, also known as the mid-career itch, the early-life crisis, or simply: the yearning for purpose beyond the paycheck.
The Grind Is Overrated
Let’s start with a hard truth: the 9-to-5 grind was never meant to be the final destination. It was supposed to be a structure—something to support your life, not consume it.
Yet somewhere along the way, we equated productivity with identity. “What do you do?” replaced “Who are you?” at dinner parties. Careers became brands. LinkedIn turned into a curated portfolio of worthiness. And burnout? That’s just a rite of passage, right?
Wrong.
In coaching professionals from all walks of life—consultants, artists, engineers, mid-level managers, even a former llama farm owner (true story)—I’ve seen a common thread: people want more than promotions and prestige. They want impact, joy, and a reason to get out of bed that doesn’t involve coffee and dread.
Purpose Isn’t Just for Poets
Let’s debunk a myth: purpose isn’t reserved for monks in the Himalayas or TED Talk speakers who sold their tech startup to fund a rainforest sanctuary. Purpose isn’t some mystical treasure hidden under a waterfall. It’s something you create, not discover.
And no, you don’t have to quit your job and join a commune to find it.
Purpose is the deeper “why” behind what you do. It’s the fingerprint your life leaves on the world. It’s the difference between earning a living and building a legacy.
The good news? You already have the raw materials to shape it. You’ve just been too busy being busy to notice.
How Coaching Helps Reconnect the Dots
When people come to me for coaching, they’re rarely saying, “I need help finding my purpose.” Instead, they say things like:
- “I feel stuck.”
- “I used to love what I do, but something’s shifted.”
- “I want to make a difference, but I don’t know how.”
And my job? To peel back the layers of expectation, obligation, and fear—and help them hear their own voice again.
Here’s what that process often looks like:
1. Rewriting the Narrative
First, we identify the story they’ve been telling themselves:
“I can’t make money doing what I love.”
“It’s too late to start over.”
“Success means staying on this ladder, even if it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”
We challenge those scripts. We unpack inherited beliefs and outdated definitions of success. We ask, “What if none of those were true?”
2. Clarifying Core Values
Purpose and values go hand-in-hand. If you’re not clear on what truly matters to you, you’ll chase goals that don’t satisfy.
One client—a high-powered executive—realized she valued freedom and creativity above all. The corner office with 80-hour weeks? It gave her status but stole her soul. She ended up starting a boutique consulting firm on her own terms. Less income, more meaning. And she’s never been happier.
3. Envisioning a Life of Alignment
Imagine waking up with enthusiasm instead of anxiety. Imagine knowing that what you do today moves you closer to who you’re becoming. That’s alignment. That’s purpose.
We use guided visualizations, journaling prompts, and honest conversations to paint a picture of what that life might look like—not a fantasy, but a real, grounded vision. Then we reverse-engineer the steps.
4. Taking Brave, Small Steps
Purpose doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it starts with a volunteer project, a side hustle, a blog post, or a coffee with someone who’s doing what you wish you were.
Action breeds clarity. You don’t wait for confidence to act—you build confidence by acting.
Real People, Real Stories
Take Marcus, a software engineer who used to build apps he didn’t believe in. Through coaching, he realized his real passion was education. Today, he leads STEM workshops for underserved kids while still working part-time in tech. He’s no longer surviving—he’s contributing.
Or Leila, a corporate lawyer who felt like a stranger in her own success story. Now she runs a nonprofit helping young women from immigrant families navigate their careers. She lights up when she talks about it. Her eyes say, This is it.
These people didn’t abandon their skills or responsibilities. They reclaimed control. They integrated purpose into their lives, not around them.
Why This Matters (More Than Ever)
In a world that measures worth in metrics and followers, living with intention is a quiet rebellion. Reclaiming your purpose is not just about personal fulfillment—it’s about showing others what’s possible.
Imagine a world where more people loved what they do. Where classrooms were filled with passionate teachers, startups launched by dreamers with integrity, and communities built by people who gave a damn.
It starts with you.
Not Sure Where to Begin? Start Here:
- Reflect: What activities make you lose track of time? What injustices make your blood boil? What legacy would you want to leave behind?
- Assess: Are your current career choices in alignment with your values?
- Talk: Speak with a coach, a mentor, a trusted friend. Sometimes your purpose is hiding in plain sight, waiting to be heard.
- Act: Take one small step toward something that excites or challenges you. Just one. Then take another.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
This journey isn’t about fixing your life—it’s about reclaiming it. Reconnecting with what matters. Rebuilding your identity around who you truly are, not just what you do.
And if you need help along the way, that’s what I’m here for. I’ve walked this path, I’ve coached others through it, and I believe in your ability to design a life that’s not just successful—but significant.
Because you weren’t made to simply clock in and check out.
You were made to matter.
