Alright, let’s dive right in: you’re here because, at some point, you’ve had that little whisper at the back of your mind. It’s asking questions like, “Why am I doing this job again?” or “Is this even what I really want from life?” Trust me, you’re not alone. The quest for purpose is universal and, dare I say, tricky. Purpose in career and life are connected, but they’re also different beasts. The way we think about each is bound up in everything from family expectations to that self-help podcast we accidentally got hooked on last month.
So, let’s unravel this puzzle: what does it mean to have a purpose in career versus a purpose in life? And should we even be worried about balancing both?
Jump In
Career Purpose: Why You Get Up and Log in Every Day
Let’s be real—work is a massive part of our lives. If you work full-time, you’re probably spending about 40 hours a week, give or take, clocked into your job. It makes sense that we crave some sense of meaning here. Career purpose is often about feeling like what you do adds value, not just to your company but to society, or at least in your own eyes. When we talk about “career purpose,” we’re looking at questions like:
- Does my work align with my values?
- Am I growing, or do I feel stuck?
- Am I helping someone or something with what I do?
Here’s the kicker, though: sometimes we search for purpose at work and come up empty. Not every job will give you that warm, fuzzy “I’m changing the world” feeling—and that’s perfectly okay! Some jobs are about the paycheck and the stability, which, let’s be honest, is a perfectly respectable purpose in itself. However, if you’re stuck in a job that feels like it’s draining your soul, it might be time to reassess or explore why your work isn’t lining up with what matters to you.
Life Purpose: The Bigger Picture, Sans the 9-to-5
Now, this is where things get deep. Life purpose doesn’t need a quarterly performance review, and there’s no “CEO” title on the line. It’s about your core values, what brings you joy, and how you want to spend your time when you’re off the clock. Life purpose is bigger and can be fluid. It’s about questions like:
- What do I want to be remembered for?
- How do I want to spend my free time?
- Who and what truly matter to me?
Your life purpose might include passions, family, or even that wild dream of starting a tiny bookshop by the beach. In fact, sometimes having a life purpose outside of your work can make the work itself feel more meaningful because you’re not relying on it to fulfill everything for you.
If you’re interested in exploring your own purpose further, check out this resource on finding purpose. It’s a great starting point to dive into the “why” behind your life and career.
Career Purpose vs. Life Purpose: How They Work Together (or Don’t)
You’d think these two areas would be perfectly aligned, right? Find purpose in work, find purpose in life, and boom—happiness achieved. But, nope, it’s rarely that simple. Sometimes, they’re aligned, and sometimes they clash, creating a healthy mix of existential angst and dinner-table rants.
For instance, some people are lucky enough to have their career purpose totally aligned with their life purpose—think social workers, artists, scientists, or anyone who sees their job as a calling. These folks find meaning in their work and derive personal satisfaction from it as well. That’s the jackpot! But it’s also not the norm for everyone. For many of us, our careers and life purposes might be complementary but separate. You might be in finance to pay the bills, but your real joy might come from rescuing stray animals on weekends or traveling the world.
And that’s where things get beautiful and complicated. You don’t have to find your “one true purpose” in both. They can coexist and still create a fulfilling life. Plus, sometimes one supports the other—your steady career could fund your life passions, and your personal purpose can give you resilience and happiness that trickles back into your work.
The Real Balance: Letting Purpose Evolve
Here’s the twist: your purpose—whether in career or life—might not stay the same forever. It’s a moving target. What fires you up at 25 might look different at 40 or 60. Purpose doesn’t always show up as a single big mission; it could be a series of small, evolving goals and priorities. Maybe your career purpose shifts from “climbing the ladder” to “mentoring others,” or your life purpose grows from “exploring the world” to “creating a community.”
It’s also worth saying that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Purpose, like anything, can be a journey instead of a destination.
