Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly, but so often folks live life without thinking about their purpose. We believe that thinking about your purpose and trying to identify what it might be is one of the most impactful things you can do to level up your life, career, and general level of happiness and fulfillment. Having a sense of what your why is will help you become a better decision maker which inevitably will improve your life. Below, you’ll find some interesting discussions, stories and perspectives around find your purpose.
Dr April Gessner
I first did veterinary volunteer work as a technician in Costa Rica in December 2008. I immediately knew I had found my true passion and that I wanted to continue to help provide free veterinary care to those who truly needed it. A couple years later during veterinary school, I volunteered in three more countries in Central America plus started a nonprofit on the island of St Kitts in the Caribbean where I lived. Read more>>
Stephanie Mullowney
My purpose came about when my daughter was born with Trisomy 21. My [then husband] called her “Defective” and said, “People will feel sorry for us”, and off he went at only 5 days old. He didn’t give her a chance to show him who she was. She didn’t get to grow up with a Daddy who would teach her how to throw a ball, or go to daddy/daughter dances with. Read more>>
Ashley Goods
ohhhwee, when I say this was a journey in itself. Reaching deep down and soul searching for the steps that got me to fully answer this question . In order to find your purpose, you need a sense of purpose to sustain you over time. And even when life feels like a series of compromises, obstacles, and hard times. Read more>>
Daya Brown
As a child, I didn’t understand the multiplicity and complexity of poetry. In the sixth grade, my teacher, Ms. Jackson, taught me the difference between the sounds of words and the definition of words. Read more>>
Breanna Panter Halverson
From a very young age, I’ve possessed an innate desire to look after the well-being of my loved ones. My mother often observed my natural inclination towards caring for my younger sisters and cousins. As I grew older, this inherent interest in attending to others’ needs propelled me to become a certified nursing assistant while still a junior in high school. This role equipped me with the necessary skills to assist others in performing their daily functions and maintaining their health. Read more>>
Anton Merbaum
Discovering one’s purpose is an ongoing evolution, but in my case, I have chosen to follow a path that that feels authentic and meaningful. The Japanese concept of Ikigai describes it best – referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for being. The path I’m pursuing as a painter and fine artist feels resolutely correct to me, even as the journey continues to unfold. Read more>>
Bria Lynn Nelson
I love this question, because I actually didn’t find my purpose; my purpose found me. It’s like finding love – people tell you that you find it when you stop looking, and when you least expect it – for me purpose wasn’t something that I actively sought out, but when it found me, I just knew. My entire mindset shifted; it has become the thing that gets me up every morning and pushes me through those long nights. It has become a part of me that I just can’t ignore. Read more>>
Kristen Cox
Almost every job I’ve ever done was somehow related to helping other people who were struggling more than I was. I grew up in an abusive home and married an abusive man, so injustice is something I’ve always fought hard against. Keeping my children fed and a roof over their head was a major challenge at times due to the financial abuse of both my family of origin and my husband. Read more>>
Toni Viola
My purpose has always been to create photos that capture special moments of the ones you love. So that years from now, when it’s harder to remember all the little details, these photos will remind you of the way your little one used to grab fistfuls of your hair or even farther back, the sweetest feeling of growing your little one inside you. And it wasn’t until last year, when I had a daughter of my own when my purpose took on a deeper meaning. Read more>>
Sarah Paige
Discovering my purpose a musician stemmed from a deeply ingrained need for self-expression. My music and songs became a sanctuary, a way to release and understand pent-up emotions. But beyond just personal catharsis, I realized that my music and lyrics created a bridge, connecting me to listeners in profound ways. Read more>>
Emilie Socash
I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind works, how humans think, and how I could improve my own mental practices to optimize my life. From an early age, I’ve been drawn toward life hacks and tricks for getting the most out of any experience. In my adulthood, I found myself consuming wellness, productivity, self-help, and life management books like a chain-smoker. Read more>>
Darina DeBenedictis
It is human nature to wonder, and the question of ‘why?’ shapes our brains starting from such a young age. ‘Why?’ offers our lives significance and we quickly begin on our quest to find answers. Arguably, the most important ‘why?’ that we face as humans is figuring our why we are here on this earth: what is the purpose of us being here. Read more>>
Raven Finley-Flowers
Before, I can answer this question, I’d like to say that someone’s purpose is forever changing. I make a habit out of asking others the question of what they think their purpose is. I figured if I ask others maybe I could figure mine out. The short and simple answer is always the same, they felt their purpose was to help people. Read more>>
Kahley Schiller
I discovered Pilates in 2000 while I was a dance major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Pilates courses were required to complete my major. UNLV also offered certification for those who desired to become an instructor. After I completed my first semester course of Pilates, I knew that it was exactly what I had been searching for! Read more>>
Sunny Ngo
I sat down when I was planning my business and asked what I wanted to serve to the community. In the skillset that I have, I knew that I wanted to help women feel more beautiful and comfortable with their looks. Women come to me with only an idea of what they want and when I am able to make their idea real for them, there is no greater feeling than to hear of their satisfaction. Read more>>
Jada Baker
I found my purpose through a genuine passion for beauty and a desire to boost others’ confidence. Being able to combine my love for beauty with helping people feel more confident is a meaningful and fulfilling path. I plan on teaching others how to become aestheticians and opening a school to allow me to pass on my knowledge and passion to future professionals in the beauty industry. It’s a great way to make a positive impact and contribute to the growth of the field. Read more>>
Karen Rice
Without questioning, this is how I conquered through my diagnosis of cancer, not once, but twice.. Without questioning, when going through a serious illness, you learn to know what faith truly is, along with finding the true meaning of beauty and confidence on how you really feel about yourself. I know this all too well because I have experienced many trials and tribulations in my life. Read more>>
Jordy Gnarpony
finding a purpose was a long, drawn-out journey that took trying many different things to finally find what i felt as my dharma in this life. perhaps deep down i knew all along, but it took nearly a decade or more after graduating high school to finally realize what it was that i felt called to do during my time here on earth. i tried many different things from the military to bartending to college to photography to farming to art school all before finding that the flow state of creating was what i was truly after this whole time. Read more>>
Deja Redman
My purpose found me. We have all been appointed with an evolution of seeds with definite purpose. Where you suffer the most or one could say where the challenge show up is the fertilizer for the garden that is always possible to till and harvest. The seeds for the soil come from your growing a healthy relationship with your innate abilities. Read more>>
David Lane
I found my purpose through realizing that I’m not alone. For years I suffered with severe anxiety and depression. It impacted my career, my ability to form friendships and every other aspect of my life. After a crisis moment, I finally got help for my issues, and learned that not only is this common, but there are ways of coping with it and healing from it, I immediately wanted to help others, and it helped to improve my own mindset to volunteer with mental health organizations. Read more>>
Kasey Acuff
Growing up , I would spend hours in my room playing in makeup. It used to give me the biggest confidence boost and I knew that was what my purpose in life should be . The most rewarding feeling , is seeing my clients faces light up ( sometimes that even tear up) when they see how beautiful they look after their reveal . The world has and always will be hard on women physically , it’s priceless when I’m able to give women back a little bit of confidence they deserve to have . Read more>>
Sydnee Floyd
My purpose is an everyday evolving thing that changes daily. I am someone who has known her main purpose of helping others through service since the age of four. However, that does not mean I have not doubted myself, wanted to quit, and did not understand the true meaning of purpose, and all the hardships that come along with following your dreams and purpose. Read more>>
Kierstin Graham
The seed of yoga was planted for me at an early age, my Nana was a yoga instructor which meant we spent a lot of time in tree pose and taking breath breaks together. Eventually something shifted and I became resistant to yoga. 60 seconds on the mat felt like hours of torture, at the time I didn’t understand why. Read more>>
Galin H
Knowing who I was led me to my life’s purpose. Meeting myself was the turning point in my life; from that moment on, I was able to clearly define my purpose in life and make steady progress toward it being fulfilled. Read more>>
Jazmine Keith
While studying during a particular semester of business management courses at the University of St Thomas I began drawing ideas in a notebook for a brand that I would begin creating. Through drawings, words maps and countless messy pages of ideas I landed on Northcast and a rough draft for what is now the logo. Read more>>
Tara Hayes
I think the concept of finding one’s purpose is a deeply personal, ongoing journey. Your purpose in life encompasses your values, passions, and talents, and once discovered, gives you a sense of meaning and fulfillment in life. Your purpose is the underlying motivation that guides your actions, decisions, and goals, motivating you to make the greatest positive impact in your life and the lives of others. Read more>>
Travis Marcum
For me, finding purpose is the two-fold process of connecting with community, asking if there are ways that I can contribute as well as looking inward to decide if and how I can bring my whole-hearted self to this journey. I have worked as a community arts leader for eighteen years now. The job, the relationships, the world in general have all changed dramatically across my time at Austin Classical Guitar, but what has endured throughout is my commitment to listening and serving through deeply meaningful creative engagement. I have learned that my purpose is very simple… to be with people and music. Read more>>
Laura Lecy
Let me share a story with you. As a teacher on leave during Covid-19, I sat at my kitchen table, silent tears dripping down my cheeks. A family-friend had passed away from covid, and her parents had asked me to create wreath in her memory. Could I do it? A teacher and mom gluing flowers together on her kitchen table? Yes. This was important; meaningful; purposeful. Read more>>
Joyce Layman
Back in 2001, something big happened. My friend MerryAnn was tragically taken from us in a car accident. At her funeral, the number of people she had touched was evident. It was a packed house. That moment made me think, “I want to be remembered for making a difference like she did.” At that point in my life, I was in outside sales and had a horse that I showed. Read more>>
Lauren Keefer
Growing up in a quiet Kansas town, sports and fitness was a way of life. When I was 5, my mom saw that I had a lot of energy and decided it was time to channel it somewhere productive, so she signed me up for gymnastics classes. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my journey. Read more>>
Hannah Dovnik
I have found my purpose through the hard times. When challenges arise, we have to face our priorities head on. I learned very quickly, once you love fiercely and create boldly, you will never run out of purpose. I graduated film school during a pandemic. I watched the entertainment industry historically shut down twice as I start my career. Read more>>
Jenn Bostic
I think I’ll always be discovering new pieces of my purpose, but my faith has revealed what I’ve come to know about it thus far. My brother and I grew up in a home that valued making music accessible. Our parents were constantly putting instruments in our hands, signing us up for lessons, bringing us to concerts, and helping us find joy in performing and creating together. Read more>>
Deyanna Clark
I love this question as so many including myself wondered the same aimlessly for years not realizing your purpose is not to be found. Read more>>
Alyssa Banks
“I’m never going to get to go to Disney” are the saddest words you’ll ever hear coming out of a child’s mouth. A child who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Most kids are concerned with what they’re going to wear to school tomorrow or who’s friends house they are going over this weekend. But this child didn’t know of a life outside of her hospital room and knew her time was limited. Read more>>
Brittany Lane
I discovered my purpose during my time as a collegiate athlete, particularly while serving as a team captain at Winston Salem State University. It became evident that my natural ability to communicate and unite a group towards a common goal brought me immense joy. This realization ignited my desire to impart these valuable skills to others, helping them lead purposeful lives by pursuing their ambitions, persevering, and appreciating the importance of a strong support system. Read more>>
Andrew Binder
My purpose, as it pertains to my work and business, is simultaneously for myself and for others. For me, art is the only thing I have ever been confident in doing. My brain is rooted in creativity, and I never have been able to grasp more concrete things like math. Read more>>
Khadijah Muhammad
I found my purpose through creating art and realizing how at peace it made me. This was at a time when I was going through a lot in my personal life and I found myself at a standstill. I began to create and at this time, I had no plans in turning this hobby into a business. But as I began to get compliments on how talented I am and as I began to hear, “You should start selling these!”, that’s when Designs By Dij was started. Read more>>
