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.

Samantha Rosenberg

For years, I worked as a hairstylist in the film industry. It was creative and exciting, but the hours were long, and deep down I knew it wasn’t my true passion. When I became pregnant and the world shut down, I realized it was the perfect moment to pivot and find something I genuinely loved.
While researching what career paths were out there, I also found myself diving into the world of parenting, and stumbled upon the reality that so many babies simply weren’t sleeping. I’ve always loved helping people, and the idea of becoming a sleep consultant immediately sparked something in me. To test it out, I even started interviewing sleep consultants as if I were a client. Read More>>

DJ Mehul

At Indian DJ Events, our purpose was discovered on the dance floor—through the laughter of families, the vibrancy of South Asian traditions, and the magic that happens when music brings people together.

Led by DJ Mehul, the premier Indian Wedding DJ for South Asian weddings, our mission has always been to go beyond just playing music. We craft high-energy, emotionally resonant experiences that reflect your heritage, your love story, and your personal style. Read More>>

Dr. Kerrie Carter-Walker

I didn’t “find” my purpose all at once—it was revealed over time through both pain and prayer. For years, I carried the weight of childhood trauma, depression, and even moments where I didn’t want to live anymore. But in those darkest places, I kept hearing the quiet reminder that God had created me for more. Read More>>

Bill Merchant

My purpose came after much heartbreak. The medical field, after 24 years of service, was not what I had hoped it would be. I had envisioned a career where I could truly care for patients and make them well. What I found instead was a system more focused on the financial stability of hospitals and appeasing pharmaceutical companies than on the wellbeing of the people they were meant to serve. Read More>>

Addison Rigues

For a long time, I was lost. No plan, no direction. I was hustling on the block, drinking, smoking, chasing girls, running from cops, even in and out of jail. By 27, I was over it. I looked around and saw guys in their late 30s still stuck in the same cycle, no growth, no purpose. I told myself, that can’t be me. So I had to make a change. I hit the gym. Ate better. Read More>>

Andrei Popov

I didn’t wake up one morning suddenly knowing my purpose. For me, it was a gradual process that started with drawing as a kid. Art was always my way of expressing what I couldn’t put into words. At some point, I realized that tattooing was not just about creating an image on the skin — it was about telling someone’s story, making them feel stronger, giving them something that would stay with them for life. Read More>>

Lindsey Gann

I never set out to be an artist. I was just trying to survive during a time when I felt lost.

For nearly two decades, my life revolved around raising kids, building a career, and making sure everyone else was taken care of. I was the steady one, the rock my family could depend on. But somewhere in the process, I lost myself. I gave and gave until I felt like there was nothing left, and depression eventually set in. Read More>>

Sheena Agyare

I didn’t discover my purpose in one single moment. It came through a series of events. It came through pain and lived experience. One of those experiences was losing both of my parents less than a year apart. It shifted everything for me. Grief has a way of stripping life down to what matters most, and for me it was a reminder that time is not promised. Read More>>

Joel Goldberg

I found purpose through storytelling. From a young age I fell in love with the entertainment industry. Movies are my what make me who I am. I love immersive stories and worlds to just sink into. It’s always exciting. I love books, video games, and basically anything that can tell a story. I connect most with films. I love how stories can convey emotions and make us feel a certain way. I find film is the best way to tell someone who they are and the kind of person they are by the stories they write Read More>>

Diana Feliciano

After a big moment in my life—my divorce—finding my purpose didn’t come all at once. It unfolded slowly, through a series of small, often uncomfortable choices. I found it by taking risks, saying yes to things that scared me, and exploring new paths even when I had no idea where they would lead. I kept showing up, even when I was afraid, and eventually learned to see fear not as a stop sign, but as a signal that I was heading somewhere important. Read More>>

Natalie Spagnolo

I didn’t so much “find” my purpose as much as I began to notice it revealing itself in moments of allurement, synchronicity, and invitations to follow what stirred something alive in me. For me, purpose has never been a straight line. It has been more like learning to trust what shows up and letting it guide me. Read More>>

Kristen Adams

My journey with art began when I was really little. I have a vivd memory of my babysitter drawing a portrait of a horse on a spare scrap of paper and I remember thinking to myself then, “I want to be able to draw like that.” I then spent my childhood carrying around a “How to Draw Horses” book, tracing horses until I could draw them from memory, investing so much time and energy into any and every creative school art project, and wanting to be an artist. Read More>>

Adrian And Laquna Ross

The joy in our customers. Nothing is more rewarding than the look of contentment or being surrounded by happy customers. When people smile and indulge in our ice cream. The type or appreciation and feedback that we receive everyday, it’s more than we could have ever imagined. We gave them something that they were missing and didn’t know it. Old school- auntie- grandma-family desert recipes wrapped into delicious ice cream. Simple and to the point, premium ingredients and great taste. Read More>> 

Garrett Hanson

I LOVE talking about the idea of “purpose”, because that word can often be so daunting to people in search of it when in reality, it’s much easier to discover than it may seem.

I remember interviewing for jobs right out of college. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” was a common question that every manager loved to ask, as though it were remotely possible to answer as a 21 year old recent grad. The unfortunate side-effect of that question, however, is that it sets up a kid to rush into a game plan for how the rest of their life is meant to look. You gotta work -this hard- to achieve -this status- in order to have -this lifestyle- by -this age- etc. Read More>>

Nicole Finn

When I was a freshman in college, I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, and PCOS. It was overwhelming, regular medical doctors shrugged me off and even the holistic care that I sought seemed to focus on treating the disease, not the person. I was determined to not let these labels define me. That’s when I realized that simply managing my symptoms wasn’t enough. I found myself looking for deeper answers, understanding how the body truly works, and how nutrition, lifestyle, and even faith impact healing. Read More>>

Sara Lee

My purpose in life has always revolved around art. As a toddler, I reached for any available surface and drew. Whether they were doodles on the walls or scribbles in all the books, they were my form of communication. A big source of inspiration in this artistic journey is my mother. I remember her painting lovely images with an ability that I aspired to reach some day. Read More>>

Yehong Mao

I have been associated with art almost since I was a child. I started learning painting from professional teachers when I was 10 years old, and then I attended art schools and art academies. After graduation, I have worked in various industries. Although I didn’t directly engage in painting creation, almost all of them were related to art. So I developed the habit of observing things with an artistic eye. I gradually realized that the world is so beautiful that all you need to do is observe it from a unique perspective. Eventually, I decided to express all of this through painting, so becoming a professional artist is my purpose. Read More>>

Haylie Scherr

I’ve always believed my God-given gift is being a connector of people. Even in high school, I had friends across every group, the popular kids, the band, the artsy crowd, the skaters, you name it. Growing up in Southern Missouri, hospitality and friendliness just felt second nature.

So when I moved to Los Angeles after college not knowing a soul, I’ll never forget the feeling of loneliness. It was probably the first time I truly felt it. For about four months, I had no job, no friends, and definitely no southern-style hospitality around me. That changed with my first job, where I was suddenly surrounded by 60+ people a day. For the first time in months, I felt that spark of connection again. Read More>>

Brad Guenther

I’ve always had a strong passion for music. When I was 16, I began exploring music production, starting with learning how to use a DAW to create and experiment with sounds. From there, I started recording my friends rap songs for fun, i already knew how to do it from years of exploring my DAW and learning the program in depth. Over time, I discovered that what I enjoyed most was guiding others through the creative process—helping them bring a song from an initial idea into a finished piece. That passion naturally led me into my role as a music producer. Read More>>

Camille De Prêtre

I don’t think I ever set out with a fixed idea of what my purpose should be, it revealed itself step by step, through people and opportunities that shaped me.

It began much earlier in my grandfather’s shoemaking atelier. The smell of leather, the sound of scissors, the patience of handcraft, those moments planted in me a deep respect for materials and for making. Years later, when I studied design, I thought my path would be furniture. I worked with Arno Declercq during my studies and learned from his clarity of identity and uncompromising vision. Later, in Milan, I spent a year with Federico Peri, where I saw firsthand how detail and restraint could create powerful presence. Read More>>

Debra Muth

How I Found My Purpose in the Places Where Medicine Failed Me

Some people find their purpose in a moment of clarity. Mine came disguised as betrayal—by my own body, and by a healthcare system that refused to listen. That betrayal became the foundation of my book, Seen at Last. Read More>>

Chaise Cortes De Vargas

Finding Purpose: My Hero’s Journey

Purpose is not a single destination. It takes many shapes, shifting with our lives, our losses, and our loves. For me, purpose seemed to change with every season — yet, looking back, I see that I was not finding purpose. Purpose was finding me. Read More>>

Pooja Bakhai

Juicy question! Two things I’d like to say about “purpose” before I answer.

I don’t believe any of us have one single purpose. Purpose, to me, is simply who we are. It is the contribution we make to the collective by virtue of being our truest selves.

So, now to answer your question, I found my purpose by first realizing that I was not truly being my own person. Read More>>

Vincent Marez

“STAND FOR COUNT,” yelled the Prison Gaurd. This was daily routine in the Federal Bureau of Prisons; a place in which I had landed myself for Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics. While awaiting my release from my 120 month sentence, I began to process the actions of my life. Selfish acts were the constant, continual mind-state which echoed in all areas of my life before incarceration. I knew I had to change the trajectory or forever “Stand For Count.” Read More>>

Ann Sweeten

Even as a young child I was moved by music. I would dance by the stereo and when I was around 6, when visiting my cousin, I was fascinated by the toy keyboard she had. I told my Mother about it and on my sixth Christmas I received a Hammond Organ. That would be the beginning but I would not recognize Music as my purpose until many years later. Read More>>

JessiMa Ramey

Purpose… That is a funny thing. Some people have a clear calling, while others lie in wait for life to light up some path or another. Still others search all over the world, seeking some semblance of reflection to witness themselves in.

I suppose my motivation came from childhood, like other therapists and caregivers. I could not find myself represented in the family around me. I saw fear and pain, longing and frustration. I saw people trying as hard as they could to get food on the table and raise too many children. What I noticed most was what people tend to call work ethic, the idea that if you work hard enough, someday you may be able to stop and enjoy life. But like many things I learned from my family and my society, the truth was different. Read More>>

Sarah May

I think my purpose found me. I always wanted to be “an artist” but never thought I was “good enough.” I always kept art a part of me and my life but it was not something that I believed served a purpose other than making me happy and complete. Making money from my art was simply a dream that I thought only belonged to others. Read More>>

Fay Foster

I found my purpose by learning how to fully become myself. For years, I watered down who I was, hiding parts of me out of fear of judgment. The more I hid, the more shame I felt, until I reached a point where I didn’t even recognize who I was anymore. I was so focused on who I “should” or “shouldn’t” be that I forgot my purpose wasn’t something I had to earn or perform, it was simply to be. Read More>>

Sasha Love

I found my purpose the moment I realized acting wasn’t just about being on camera—it was about connecting with people. Every role I’ve taken on, whether big or small, has given me the chance to tell stories that reflect real emotions and experiences. Every project I’m blessed to be a part of, reminds me that this is bigger than me. It’s about touching hearts, inspiring others, and showing that dreams really do come true when you don’t give up. That’s when I knew—I was walking in my purpose. Read More>>

Jazim Ahmed

I believe this is a question that can be tackled and answered in a lot of ways. Well, one quote that has always touched me is by the legendary Spanish painter Pablo Picasso: “The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away”. I inherently believe that all of us are blessed in one way or the other. Nonetheless, we have to make a conscious effort to discover that very gift. And sometimes, that quest may even take a lifetime, but it is always worth it. Read More>>

Anna Golovan

I’ve spent my whole life in marketing and PR, creating projects and building success stories for other businesses — including many beauty salons. Through that experience, I realized that my true purpose is not just helping brands grow, but creating spaces that inspire people and change the way they feel about themselves. Read More>>

Dawn Martin Dickins

I grew up in a small town in South Georgia, where choices were limited: you could farm, or you could marry a farmer. My dad was a truck driver, gone most of the week, chain-smoking his way through long nights on the road before coming home to my mom and my two sisters on the weekends. He had grown up in the same town—a place literally split in two by railroad tracks, with white families on one side and Black families on the other. Read More>>

Eric Meyers

Back in 1995 my rational, atheistic belief system was demolished by an unexpected psychic reading that was pinpoint accurate in numerous ways. I then began to question everything I thought to be true and engaged the proverbial spiritual quest. I ended up dropping out of a mainstream psychology graduate program and went to an alternative program (Naropa University in Boulder, CO studying Transpersonal Psychology). As soon as I arrived, some people were talking about astrology, so I thought to check it out. I ended up immersing myself in it, and the rest is history. I have now been a professional astrologer for 25 years and have written 7 books on it. Read More>> 

Nancy

When I first entered college, I didn’t immediately choose illustration because I lacked confidence and a clear sense of direction—many of my early decisions were were largely influenced by others’ opinions. Over time, however, I gradually discovered my genuine interest in visual storytelling and began to learn more about the field of illustration. Through continuous creation and exposure to a wider range of knowledge, I slowly found my artistic voice, while also being fortunate to receive encouragement and recognition. These experiences have shaped who I am today. Although I’m still on a path of exploration, I now have a much clearer understanding of my own pursuits than I once did. Read More>>

Stefani Michelle

I’ve constantly worked on my authenticity, being me without apologies. My life has caused me to lean toward people pleasing so I have to consciously choose me over and over again. When I do that I find that the road opens up for purpose and meaning. Read More>>

Megan Keller

For me, finding my purpose didn’t come from a single moment—it came from pain, responsibility, and faith. I lost my father, I became the sole caregiver for my son with autism, and I was thrown into situations where injustice was staring me in the face. Those experiences could have broken me, but instead they became the fuel for my mission. Read More>>

Bailey Inman

There is a quote I heard recently that really resonated with me: “You are most perfectly positioned to help the person you used to be.”
I think about the young girl I once was—terribly embarrassed by the dreams she had and the made up stories running through her mind, But there was something in me that needed to write anyway and share my work with other people, regardless of that feeling. That stubborn part of me just wouldn’t shut up, even when I told myself no one cared. Read More>>

Joseph Longhany

I’ve been fortunate to find deep purpose in the work we do at Plant Prana Wellness | Microgreens.

It began with a health crisis in July 2016, just after my 38th birthday. At a routine check-up, my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. I was 250 pounds, stuck in a failing marriage, and felt like everything was unraveling. It felt like the end. But life was quietly preparing me for a new way forward. Read More>>

Ashley Bourque

My journey to finding purpose has been shaped by two roles I hold most dear—being an event planner and being a mom.

I discovered my purpose as a planner when I realized how much joy I found in creating spaces where people could feel celebrated, connected, and at ease. It wasn’t just about timelines, vendors, or décor—it was about giving people the freedom to be fully present for their own milestones. Seeing a couple walk into their reception and light up because their vision has come to life, or watching a family relax because all the details are taken care of—that’s when I knew this wasn’t just a career for me, it was a calling. Read More>>

Kevin Jacobs

I find purpose through my creative endeavors, whether creating a painting or writing poetry. I enjoy making something out of nothing. I also find purpose by just trying to be the best person I can be. Read More>>

Lyndsay Ealey

I found my purpose through a combination of experience, love, and necessity. Teaching has always been a calling for me—I’ve spent over 20 years in the classroom, and from the very beginning, I knew education was about more than academics. At its core, my teaching has always been rooted in empathy—truly understanding each student’s experiences, challenges, and strengths—and using that understanding to create meaningful connections that foster growth and confidence. For me, education is about connection, growth, service, and compassion. Read More>>

Brad Wallace

For me, it was never about one lightning bolt moment, it was following a thread that kept pulling me forward. I’ve always been drawn to audio: first, as a kid making noise with my friends in a punk band, then later discovering the joy of shaping those sounds into something that could live beyond my grimy basement. At the time, I didn’t realize it was a purpose; I just knew it was something I couldn’t stop doing. Read More>>

Tom Bugansky

My purpose has always been in service of others — first to my country, then now to the patients I care for. Over time, I saw a gap in post-surgical aftercare, and I chose to step away from a secure role to create Prestige Surgical Aftercare. It gave me the chance to live out my purpose by helping people heal with dignity and compassion. Read More>>

Zhanae

I was experiencing hard times and I didn’t really have anyone to look to or ask for help so I would go seeking out people that could inspire me and help me through. Something just clicked in my mind that told me I want to be for others what these people have been for me and since then I’ve used my experiences to motivate other people to do their best in life. Read More>>

ERICA ROONEY

I did not stumble into my purpose. It was carved out through trial, error, and those quiet gut whispers you cannot ignore. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to help people. At first, I thought that meant nursing. But one look at blood and guts told me it was not the right path for me.

So I pivoted. I became a certified personal trainer. This time, I helped people move, grow stronger, and chase goals they never thought possible. When I stepped onto that stage to teach group exercise, I felt it. I loved the energy, the connection, and the chance to make a difference in someone’s day. Read More>>

Dianne

I found my purpose through a mix of personal healing and creative rediscovery. For years, I worked in fields that left me feeling burnt out and disconnected from myself. When I started arranging flowers, it felt like I had finally slowed down enough to listen—to myself, to nature, and to what really mattered. Read More>>