How to find your purpose in life and work
Do you sometimes feel rudderless, like a ship without an anchor?
If you’re struggling to find a sense of purpose in life and work at the moment, this can have a huge toll on your motivation.
It may also be a sign that your sense of purpose is changing. Despite the phrase ‘life’s purpose’, you rarely stay committed to the same goals forever. Family circumstances, work, seasons of life — all of these change several times over the course of our lives.
What can help is setting aside some time to reflect on your sense of purpose and adjust it to suit where you’re at, right here and now. Here are some questions to prompt reflection and change:
What activities help me lose track of time in the best way?
When do I feel most like myself?
What values do I want to guide my choices right now?
Who or what gives me energy, and who or what drains it?
If I could take one small step toward a more meaningful life this week, what would it be?
Purpose doesn’t have to be one big, sweeping mission. Often, it’s found in the small daily acts that feel aligned with who you are and what matters most. If you treat it less like a destination and more like a compass, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and move forward — even when the waters get choppy.
Without purpose and meaning, life can feel a bit flat or void of colour — and your wellbeing can suffer. If this resonates, reach out to a friend, family member or professional for support. If you need someone to talk to, call or text 1737 - New Zealand’s 24/7 support line, or BeyondBlue in Australia, free call at 1300 22 4636.