Do you have career purpose?
So what does "career purpose" actually mean?
It's not all about the money
Of course, being paid fairly matters: we all have bills to pay and lives to fund. But for most professionals, there comes a point where salary alone is no longer enough to sustain motivation, energy, or satisfaction at work. That’s often where the question of career purpose quietly (or not so quietly) shows up.
Career purpose refers to the sense that your work means something beyond a payslip. It’s about contributing in a way that feels aligned with who you are: your values, interests, strengths, and what you want to stand for. When people talk about wanting work to be “meaningful”, this is usually what they’re getting at: the belief that what you do matters, and that you matter in what you do.
Why career purpose matters
When there’s a disconnect between your work and your sense of purpose, the impact is rarely immediate, which is why it can be easy to ignore. You might be performing well, meeting expectations, and progressing on paper, yet still feel flat, restless, or quietly dissatisfied.
Over time, a lack of career purpose can show up as:
Reduced motivation and engagement
A persistent sense of “Is this it?”
Increased stress and emotional fatigue
Difficulty sustaining creativity or enthusiasm
Poor work-life balance
Burnout and, in some cases, low mood or depression
Many people describe feeling drained rather than stretched, busy rather than fulfilled. Importantly, this isn’t a personal failing. It’s often a signal that something in your work no longer fits as well as it once did
Purpose can change, and that’s normal
A common myth is that career purpose is something you either have or don’t have, i.e. a clear, lifelong calling that appears fully formed. In reality, purpose is far more flexible and evolves over time.
Your career purpose at 25 may look very different at 40. Life experiences, personal responsibilities, values, and priorities all shift. Purpose can also be found in how you work, not just what you do: the problems you solve, the people you help, the way you lead, or the standards you hold yourself to.
Not having a clear sense of purpose right now doesn’t mean you’re behind or doing something wrong. It simply means you may be at a point where reflection is needed.
Look inside yourself
Finding (or refining) your career purpose starts with self-reflection. This doesn’t need to be dramatic or overwhelming. Small, honest questions can be surprisingly powerful, such as:
What aspects of my work give me energy rather than drain it?
When do I feel most like myself at work?
What values do I want my work to reflect?
Which skills or strengths do I enjoy using most?
What frustrates me enough that I’d like to change it or improve it?
Purpose often sits at the intersection of what you care about, what you’re good at, and what the world (or your organisation) needs. You don’t need perfect answers, just patterns.
From insight to action
Understanding your career purpose is helpful, but it’s action that creates change. This doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job or making a radical career move. For many professionals, purpose-led change happens in much smaller, more sustainable ways.
That might include:
Shaping your current role to play more to your strengths
Seeking projects or responsibilities that align better with your interests
Having conversations with your manager about development or direction
Learning new skills that support where you’d like to go next
Talking things through with a mentor, coach, or trusted colleague
Even small adjustments can significantly improve how connected and motivated you feel at work.
A final thought
Career purpose isn’t about finding the perfect job or feeling inspired every day. It’s about feeling broadly aligned, in that your work makes sense for who you are and where you are in your life right now.
If you’re feeling unfulfilled, take it as useful information rather than a problem to suppress. With reflection, support, and intentional steps, it’s entirely possible to move towards a career that feels not just successful, but meaningful too.
After all, we spend a large part of our lives at work. It’s worth making that time count.
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