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.
Daniel Jacobs
After moving back to the U.S. from Australia when I was very young, I ended up growing up with my mother’s side of the extended family which was originally from South Carolina. For a long time I grew up in the deep woods of Jamestown in a small riverside house with my Nana, Papa, my mother, and father. The forest and river just outside the house, my great grandmother’s house and the other houses that belonged to parts of my extended family just down the rugged dirt road, the vast forestry that surrounded us, all of it was what I considered home. Read more>>
Laura Banks
In 2019 I was a third grade teacher who was overweight and uncomfortable in her skin. I hid behind baggy clothes, put my head down while talking to others, and did my best to stay out of everyone’s way. In August of that year, I had the chance to meet a celebrity and was so excited to take a picture with him. When I saw that picture, I was embarrassed and ashamed. That picture was the catapult that lead me to becoming the confident, joyful, healthy person I am today. Read more>>
Ta’Mikel Moore
I found my purpose early on in life. I can remember being an 8-year-old kid having dreams & visions about my future. My 3rd-grade year in elementary we had a career day and I came dressed up as a barber. Everybody laughed at me but I saw the vision and they didn’t. I was a very misunderstood kid but I always felt this sense of greatness on the inside of me. I spoke into existence then everything I’m doing now. Read more>>
Sanserrae Frazier
Finding my purpose was a challenge because it’s a personal journey. I found myself trying to define my purpose without owning my passion. So, first I identified my passion AND owned it. Throughout my childhood, my mom impressed upon us to give unselfishly…not expecting something in return. So, I began finding opportunities to engage with others and enjoyed participating in team activities…sports and clubs/groups in and outside of school as well as well community activities. Read more>>
Leynier García
I am a 19-year-old young man who found in content creation a way to take advantage of time, and thus create entertainment and humor content on YouTube where they find me as LeynierCuban, and there I try to make people laugh, and so on in moments of Boredom and unproductivity I found my purpose Read more>>
Tara LeClaire
Coming into this business alter in life, I feel I have had quite a few “purposes” over the years. After marrying my husband young, I became a mother at the age of 20 and then again at 23! My children will always be my true purpose and that is why for the first 15 years of their lives I stayed at jobs that were best fit for my family. Most of those jobs were in children services within the Air Force! Read more>>
Loren Maxine
I knew I always liked helping people. Growing up my mom would make my sisters and I volunteer a lot. I continued to volunteer through college where I participated in many organizations that emphasized community and helping others. Once I combined my love for helping people with my passion for film and television, I realized what I should be doing. Producing is a way for me to help people tell their story. Read more>>
David Spitdowski Jr
My journey towards finding my purpose began during my gymnastics career. Early on, I recognized the immense value of having a great coach in my life. As I progressed through high school, I ventured into coaching gymnastics myself, and that’s when I experienced a profound sense of fulfillment witnessing athletes achieve their goals. Read more>>
April Love
I like to say that my purpose found me. I realized that life is a lot more simple than we make it out to be. A podcaster I listen to said most times it’s our desires that lead us to see our purpose, the thing that pulls at you. For example, if it’s in you to serve then any setting you’re in you are immediately inclined to help. Read more>>
Zackeshia Brimidge
Finding your life’s purpose may help you navigate your journey. So far, my journey has been filled with life lessons and patience. Patience is the key to success as an entrepreneur creating a brand. I enjoy assisting others and making my customers’ lives a little easier if I can. Read more>>
Katy Allison
I have always loved to help people feel and look their best. Going into the esthetics industry was an easy choice for me, as it allows me to do just that! I was first introduced to it when I met one of my business partners, Jill. She told me about what she does and made me realize this is the industry that I wanted to be in. Read more>>
Rory Singer
Being a business owner is hard. It’s especially hard when you not only own the business but are an important part of delivering the business to your customers. As a martial arts academy owner/coach, I am always available to my students and/or their parents. I not only work on the business, but in it. Read more>>
Rachael Feibelman
When I reflect on my journey of finding purpose, it’s deeply intertwined with the profound loss I experienced at the age of 25 when my mother passed after her battle with cancer. With her diagnosis being terminal, we knew her passing would be imminent. Yet, on the same hand her passing still happened so unexpectedly, which resulted in both a challenging and transformative time in my life. Read more>>
Cristian Avila
This is one of my favorite questions. I discovered my purpose by following my passion for music. Early exposure to Latin American folk music and self-exploration led me to become a self-taught musician and songwriter. Pursuing formal music education further deepened my skills. After a significant mental breakdown, I realized that music was my true calling and switched from architecture to music. Read more>>
Justin Willet
In 2007 I travelled overseas for the first time to visit the country of Ethiopia. Following this trip I had the realization that there were so many amazing stories to be shared but they were just lacking the opportunity to be told. We created GLBAL media to be a part of sharing these stories and hopefully lead to additional support for developing nations and specifically the people working hard to survive in unimaginable situations. Read more>>
Stephanie RAEdiance
After more than 10 years deep in my soul healing journey, I have come to understand that everything begins and ends with healing our own soul. The moment we choose to start healing ourselves on a soul level, is the moment we start to seek truth cultivating freedom, peace and unconditional love from within becoming sovereign beings in this ever-changing world. Read more>>
Brij Patel
I knew I always had a drive, my why, up until a decade ago is when I really found it. I walked out of a nasty divorce which led me to fall in love with my career and I promised myself to put our business: Sprayberry Bottle Shop on the map one day. Read more>>
Vanity Scott
I think finding purpose is a lifelong journey. In church about 10 years ago, my pastor told everyone to pray and ask God for a vision of who He wants you to be. I did that and feel like I was given that vision. It was not super detailed, but I have received divine confirmation in parts of my journey along the way that I am moving in the right direction. Read more>>
Dr. Bashir Easter
My purpose was all because of my mother Deloris Pitts she was diagnosed at the age of 55 with Dementia, My family struggled as caregivers trying to care for her. The current system for caregivers seemed so hard to navigate and has shown to be disconnected with truly understanding the family caregiver’s struggles. Which led me on a journey to provide solutions to the problems. Read more>>
Amber Lee
I was lucky enough to discover my passion for matchmaking during college. I spent over 20 years working as a matchmaker for other firms before finding my purpose…. To co-found a higher level of matchmaking firm that would be responsible for bringing together amazing couples! I discovered my purpose after experiencing a sudden cardiac while I was driving. Read more>>
Kenyetta Holmes
I found my purpose back in 2006 after my baby brother was diagnosed with childhood T Cell Lymphoma at the age of 12. After chemo treatments and blood transfusions I would always massage him because it made him feel so much better. Before he passed in 2007 he told me, “sis you need to massage people because you make me feel better when you do that.” At that moment I knew this is what I was destined to do in life and I love every bit of it. Read more>>
Rodly Saint Aude
During my childhood, my family and I frequently indulged in movies and TV shows. My siblings and I often found ourselves reenacting scenes from our favorite shows, and over time, this passion became a significant part of my life. Read more>>
Ruffin Consulting Services
A life of purpose is essential for understanding who I am, why I matter and the impact I have in life. Prior to purpose, life was filled with goals, tasks and worldly measurements of success. But once my purpose was identified, I knew my identify, impact and why was beyond temporary measures of success but more eternal. Purpose yields clarity, grace, direction and is in no rush to check off accomplishments. Read more>>
Deirdre V. Lyons
Ever since I was young, I loved performing, it was also something that I was encouraged and supported in pursuing these endeavors, for which I was very fortunate. Even when I would become interested in other things, it was always something that I came back to and pursued. However, my view of performance and success was only ever narrowly defined and the doors down this path were few and far between. Read more>>
Chris Nicolaou
When I was a little younger, I got into some trouble and wound up in county jail. In jail, I met a sixteen year old who was arrested for stealing pampers for his newborn baby. As if this wasn’t already shocking, I then found out he had been bouncing around from pod to pod for two weeks and hadn’t even been arraigned yet. I remember being floored, explaining to him how unfair that was and that they (the county) has stolen time from him. The chance that he’d done time at all is marginal, had he just seen a judge. Read more>>
Donna Grillo
My purpose is always changing. My focus was one thing (film production) and after some experience I pivoted to a career that was more creative, fun and enriching. That lead me to producing demos because the creativity level is off the charts compared to other parts of the business. Then I started teaching and found that to be highly satisfying. I love helping people find their creative side. I feel like I turned in to a creative therapist – helping people find their expression of joy in life. Read more>>
TIna White and Lynn Taylor N/A
Tina White:I discovered my true purpose in life through a deep-seated desire to help people. It was a profound realization that my greatest fulfillment came from making a positive impact on others’ lives. Whether it was offering a helping hand to those in need, lending a listening ear to a friend in distress, or actively participating in community service, I found my heart resonating with the joy of contributing to the well-being of others. Read more>>
Tara Love
My purpose and passion for writing has constantly developed over the years. I uncovered my passion for music at a young age. From that point on, I was involved in church choirs, school choirs, and musical groups. This eventually led me to songwriting and recording in 2019. My dreams began to unfold in Atlanta, this is where I started recording music professionally and also where I graduated from college, and I started my own business. Read more>>
Evelyn Layne
Finding my purpose was definitely a task. I literally found my purpose by tapping into GODs word! Trusting HIS guidance and answering HIS call with a YES even when I had no idea HOW I would fulfill the purpose on my life that he tasked me with. I knew without a shadow of doubt that I was stepping into my purpose when Layne’s Den became the MOST FILLING FEELING I had EVER felt in my life! It made me WHOLE! It restored me in spaces I had felt empty for so long. So short answer is I found my purpose in GOD! Right where it had been all along. Read more>>
Mike Pennino
Honestly, I found my purpose through my relationship with the Lord. Most of my life growing up I had different thoughts on what I wanted to do, but our identity shouldn’t be wrapped up in a job. When I trusted in Jesus and started following Him, I started learning even more about myself. I’ve learned our purpose in life is to know the Lord and to represent Him. Read more>>
Santo D. Marabella
I selected this question because at this very moment, I find myself at a crossroads in my life as it relates to my purpose. My professional purpose has been clear for many years. In all of my professional activities – whether writing a film, play, book or newspaper column; directing theater or film; making presentations on business topics, or actually teaching in a college environment – I am a teacher! Read more>>
Jessica and David Kallenbach
We found our purpose and our mission years ago long before we started our business Beauty Unveiled Studios. When we discovered true life in God and loving people it made everything clear. We wanted to use our lives and talents to show the world just that. They are loved by God and if we can use are art to communicate that with the BU experience then we are honored! Read more>>
Shay Gipson
From the beginning, Goodwill’s mission has promoted job creation for the disenfranchised. Founded by Methodist Minister Edgar J. Helms in 1902, Goodwill gave people with disabilities and other social barriers the opportunity to find meaningful work. Goodwill allowed the disadvantaged to earn a wage by repairing and repurposing discarded household items and then selling them back to the community at affordable prices. Read more>>
Tayo Fetti
I discovered my purpose by following my heart and pursuing what I truly love, which is music producing. It all began when I started experimenting with beats and melodies, and I realized that creating music brought me a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. Over time, I honed my skills, and as I delved deeper into the world of music production, I began to see how it wasn’t just a hobby but something that resonated with my core identity. Read more>>
Charity Wright Golden
The phrasing of this question, has me chuckling. How very “American” it is: how did I find my purpose? Well, what if I said that despite my kick-and-screaming, despite my commitment to “duty” and “responsibility”, and despite the fear deep in my gut, informed by others’ opinions, I told you that my purpose has been ever-present in my life, and that now, finally, I’ve said “yes”. Read more>>
Nikyah Lumbard
I discovered my purpose as an independent fashion designer in Detroit through a combination of passion, self-discovery, and a deep connection to the community. My journey began as an adolescent driven by my innate love for fashion and a desire to create. Over the years, I’ve honed my craft, and quickly realized that my designs weren’t just about aesthetics but also about making a positive impact. Read more>>
Yifan Li
Throughout my artistic journey, which began at a young age when I first held a colored pencil, I’ve discovered that my true purpose in life lies in the profound impact that art can have on individuals and society as a whole. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills and deepened my understanding of the artistic process, and it has become clear to me that art is a powerful means of communication, transcending language and cultural barriers. Read more>>
Lolly Mariah
Our lives “purpose” is essentially the ways in which our unique skills, talents, and interests align to serve our environment. For me, finding my purpose has been an ever-evolving action; and that’s the point. I’m a singer, a writer, an educator, a model, a creative, an educated black woman, a science-based cannabis therapeutics consultant, an event-curator, and honestly, I may have missed something. Read more>>
SONiA disappear fear
It has always been important to me to sing. There is something so natural and powerful about music – it is the only activity that uses both sides of the brain. When I am really in the moment of the music the whole universe becomes connected and I am one with all. Growing up in the 60s and 70s there were songs on the radio that were about making the world a better place – it was a totally organic step to live into making the world come together in a song. I believed it then and I believe it now. Read more>>
Phil Beach
I found my purpose through a journey marked by adversity and resilience. The loss of several family members challenged me deeply, but it was in those moments of struggle that I began to seek meaning and direction in life. Youth groups and mentors played a pivotal role in guiding me, providing the support and wisdom I needed to navigate my path. Read more>>
Charmaine Smith
Finding my purpose was not easy for me, but I think that it was because I made it more complicated than it actually was. Because I was looking for someone to tell me and I began overthinking it. But once I stopped running from me and stopped thinking about what everyone else was saying. It just came naturally because it was what I already did. Read more>>
Lauren Krasnodembski
Unfortunately I had to hit my rock bottom and slow down a bit before I started asking myself questions like, “Is this it?” “What am I passionate about?” “Why am I here and what is my purpose.” “What makes me happy?. I find these are not questions that we ask ourselves day-to-day. We are also not taught to find these answers. Read more>>
Eisha Branner
I knew at a very early age that I wanted to help others. I just didn’t know in what capacity. I I went to school for nursing, changed my degree to criminal justice and then I went into Human Services. It was when I was going through a divorce where I hit rock bottom mentally where I knew that I have to make a change in my life, fight through my pain and help others do the the same. Read more>>
Tyler (Tylerissoepic)
I’m very grateful because I was able to discover my purpose at a very young age. As a kid, I was always drawing, making music, creating art, and trying to expand on my creativity as much as possible. I’m from Atlanta Georgia which is considered to be the rap capital of the world, so I was always able to see firsthand that my dreams were possible to accomplish after watching so much popular talent come up from the same city as me and make a name for themselves. Read more>>
Lauryn Haygood (Lola)
Coming into college, I had interests in being a physical therapist. This stemmed from playing sports and being on a healthcare pathway in college. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I decided to do a complete 180 and become an Apparel and Textiles major at Kennesaw State. This raised many questions amongst my family, friends and peers. Read more>>
Erika Merriweather
I believe that our purpose is simply to be our selves, as fully and completely and joyfully as we can. I think the question of “what is my purpose” can be really frustrating for people to find an answer to, because our interests change as we expand through life, our beliefs may shift overtime as to what matters to us the most, and every one of us has many talents and skills, often untapped and just waiting to be discovered. Read more>>
Gable Hea
From a young age I knew that making music was what I was meant to do but finding the purpose behind my passion was a much bigger challenge. By looking at what I loved about being a singer-songwriter, I was able to find the specific things that drew me to becoming one in the first place. From there, I was able to identify my purpose: to create music that connects with and inspires other people. Read more>>
