Discovering Your Purpose

So, how do you find your purpose? It’s not hidden away in a drawer, but rather scattered throughout your life, like glitter waiting to be noticed. Finding your purpose involves exploration and reflection. It might come instantly, like a lightbulb moment, or gradually, like sculpting a block of clay. There’s no rush to uncover your purpose—take your time and let it unfold at your own pace. It’s a lifelong discovery. Here are a few activities, based on the bonus video collection in our Online Learning Library, to help guide you:

Thinking Long-Term: 7 Generations

Sometimes, looking far into the future can provide surprising clarity. One activity inspired by Native American traditions asks you to think about your impact seven generations ahead. This isn’t about setting short-term goals like “What do I want to achieve before I retire?” Instead, it’s about asking, How will the world be different because I was here? It’s a way of considering your legacy in a deeper, more meaningful sense.

Unlocking Creativity: Life Purpose Visualisations

If you want a more immediate approach, Life Purpose Visualisations can be a great tool. These guided exercises are available in the bonus section of our Online Learning Library. By imagining different possibilities and visualising how you could contribute, you open the door to new insights that can point you in the right direction.

Reflecting on Your Journey: Leadership Timeline

Another powerful activity is creating a Leadership Timeline. This involves looking back at your life so far and reflecting on the key moments where your purpose has already been showing up. Think of it like tracing a glitter trail, spotting patterns, and uncovering recurring themes that point to what truly matters to you. It’s a great way to connect the dots and see how your experiences have shaped the person you are today. By recognising these past moments, you may gain clarity on the path ahead.

What’s Unique About You?

Reflect on what makes you come alive and the difference only you can make. Ask yourself:

• What would I miss if it weren’t part of my role?

• When do I feel most alive?

It’s important to remember that purpose doesn’t have to be grand. Some people aim to change the world on a large scale, while others simply focus on bringing kindness to the people around them. Both are equally valuable. So, if your purpose feels “small,” don’t discount it. Your purpose is yours, and it can be as big or small as it feels right for you. 

Living Your Purpose

It’s easy to talk about purpose, but how do we actually live it? Living in alignment with your purpose means making choices that reflect what’s most important to you. It’s about being intentional: when you get up in the morning, the decisions you make, the conversations you have, and the actions you take should all bring your purpose to life. And authenticity to your leadership.

Now, here's the tricky part: once you’ve got clarity on your purpose, you can’t hide from it. You’ll feel it when you’re not living in alignment—whether it’s a sense of unease or the urge to avoid tough conversations. But that’s a good thing. That discomfort is a sign that you’re getting closer to your truth.

This isn’t about perfection. There will be days when you don’t quite meet the mark. That’s normal. The key is to keep coming back to it, to make intentional choices that reflect your purpose and to stay connected to what really matters to you.

Reflecting on Your Role

Take a step back and think about how your purpose shows up in your work. Ask yourself:

• How does my purpose show up with my team, my boss, or my stakeholders?

• Are my responsibilities in line with my mission?

• Are there tasks I could approach differently to better align with my core values?

I’ve worked with leaders who were initially worried their roles didn’t align with their purpose. For example, one leader was tasked with managing job cuts, but their leadership purpose was to help people grow and develop. At first, it seemed like a huge contradiction. But with integrity and courage, this leader was able to approach the situation with honesty and heart—advocating for the employees at the executive level. The task didn’t change, but the way it was done did.

Bringing Alignment to Life

If you feel like your role doesn’t quite align with your purpose, it might be time to think outside the box. Here are a few ideas to help you bring more alignment into your life:

• Think about how you can broaden your impact outside of your immediate role—perhaps through mentoring, networking, or volunteering.

• Look for ways to get involved in causes that align with your purpose—whether that’s working with young people or contributing to a community project.

• Consider broadening your skill set, such as taking on coaching training or exploring new ways to contribute meaningfully.

Sometimes, this work can highlight that your current job isn’t right for you, and that’s okay. For some, it may be the catalyst to seek a new path. But for many, small shifts in how you approach your role can make a huge difference.

Sustaining Alignment

If you’re already living in alignment, congratulations! Take a moment to recognise what created that balance and pay attention to the factors that helped you get there. Understanding what’s working will help you sustain it in the future—and may even inspire those around you to find their own alignment too.

Aligning your role with your purpose doesn’t have to mean a dramatic career change. Small adjustments can help you feel more connected to what truly matters to you, both in and out of work. If you’re already living in alignment, take note of what’s working, and if you’re not quite there yet, remember that every step counts.