Everyone’s talking about purpose. You hear it in TED Talks, see it splashed across Instagram quotes, and maybe even feel the quiet ache when you don’t quite know what yours is. But let me tell you something upfront: purpose is not just a fluffy buzzword. It’s the fuel that gets you out of bed, lights your fire, and keeps you going -even when others start talking about slowing down.
And here’s the truth: you don’t need a fancy title to have a purpose. You just need to know your why.
So, What Is Purpose?
At its core, purpose is your why – the reason behind the work you do, the way you live, and the legacy you’re building.
It’s not about job titles or flashy achievements (though those can be great too). It’s about waking up and knowing, deep down, that what you do matters.
As Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” His famous TED Talk reminds us that clarity around your why isn’t just motivational – it’s strategic. Whether you’re leading a company, switching careers, or cleaning toilets – if you know your purpose, you will do it with more drive, more heart, and better results.
My Story: From
Toilet Cleaner to
National Sales Boss
(Not Literally, But Close)
When I found my career home in sales and recruitment, I didn’t just want to show up – I wanted to master it. To be respected. To win. And I did. My “hero job”? Being appointed as the National Sales and Marketing Manager at Adecco. That moment felt like a lightning bolt: this wasn’t just a job anymore. It was a calling. I was living my purpose – to help people find their place in the workforce, to connect talent with opportunity, and to do it damn well.
Why Purpose Matters
(Especially Now)
Retirement is the topic of choice over coffee and wine. But for me? It’s not even on the radar.
Why? Because my business gives me purpose.
Every day I wake up with a sense of direction. There are people to help, ideas to build, and work that matters. Purpose doesn’t fade with ageit deepens. It becomes your engine, your edge, your reason to keep showing up and showing up well.
How Do You Find Your Purpose?
A Simple Guide
Look Back at Your Childhood Lessons:
What messages were you given? Mine was “be the best at what you do.” That became the cornerstone of my purpose.
Name Your Strengths and Loves:
What are you great at? What lights you up? Purpose often sits at the intersection of skill and passion.
Ask: Who Do I Want to Help?
Purpose is rarely just about you. Who are you called to serve? For me, it’s job seekers and businesses who need real talk, not fluff.
Test, Reflect, Repeat:
You don’t find purpose in a day. You test things. You reflect. And you pay attention to what energises you and what drains you.
Own It Loud and Proud:
Once you find it – live it. Talk about it. Let it guide your decisions.
Let it be the reason you get up, no matter your age or stage.
My Final Thoughts…
You don’t need to “find” purpose once and for all. You just need to create it, one day, one action, one choice at a time.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, lost, or wondering what’s next – start here. What makes you feel alive? Who do you want to serve? What would make you proud 10 years from now?
Because when you have a purpose, retirement isn’t the goal. Fulfilment is. – Jo