How to Find Meaning and Purpose in Your Work
From Paycheck to Purpose
Having a career is something to be grateful for. It provides stability, structure, and a way to support ourselves and those we love. Especially when we’ve worked hard for it—through college, certifications, or years of experience—it’s a meaningful achievement.
But a career is more than just a title or paycheck. It’s something we spend a large part of our lives doing. And because of that, it’s important to pause and ask: Does my work feel meaningful to me?
You may love your job—or maybe you don’t. Either way, there’s value in discovering purpose in the work you do. When we feel aligned with our work, even the hard days feel a little lighter.
This blog comes from both my heart and my experience. I work full-time, and I coach part-time—a role that fills me with joy and deeper meaning. I’ve found ways to stay connected to purpose in both areas of my life, and I’d love to share a few thoughts that may help you do the same.
1. What you do Matters
No matter what your role is, it exists for a reason—and so do you. You are not invisible. You’re a necessary part of the bigger picture.
Even if your tasks feel repetitive or unseen, know this: if your position wasn’t important, it wouldn’t exist. You are valued. You contribute to your team and to those around you, often in ways you may not even realize.
Some days, it’s easy to question your impact—especially when things feel heavy or you're simply exhausted. I’ve been there too. But I remind myself: I am making a difference, even when I can’t see it.
2. Stay Connected to your “Why”
Purpose often begins with remembering why you work in the first place. Maybe it’s to support your family, to live independently, to pursue a dream, or to create stability in your life.
For me, my family is a huge part of my motivation. On tough mornings when I don’t feel like going to work, I think of them. I think of how my efforts help keep us moving forward together. That keeps me going—and grounded.
Your "why" doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be yours. When you remember it, your work begins to feel more meaningful again.
3. Choose Work that Aligns With Who You Are
Sometimes we find ourselves in careers that don’t reflect our true passions or values. If that’s the case for you, I want to say: it’s okay. You're not stuck. Life is always offering us the opportunity to pivot or add something new.
For me, that “something new” was coaching.
Even though I currently coach part-time, it’s where I feel most aligned. Helping others through life’s ups and downs—relationships, health, finances, and careers—feels like what I was meant to do. Coaching isn’t just a job for me. It’s a calling. If you feel a pull toward something different, honor it. Explore it. Purpose isn’t always found in one big leap—it often starts in quiet moments of curiosity and courage.
4. Know That Purpose Can Be Found in Small Moments
We often think purpose has to be something huge. But more often, it’s found in the little things: a kind word to a coworker, a problem solved, a task completed well.
You don’t need a fancy title or public recognition to make an impact. If you show up with integrity, kindness, and presence, you’re already making the world better—one moment at a time.
5. Give Yourself Grace on the Hard Days
Not every day will feel purposeful. Some days, getting through is enough. Please know that this doesn’t mean you’ve lost your way. It just means you’re human.
Even on those hard days, try to find one thing to be proud of. Maybe it’s showing up. Maybe it’s doing your best, even when you’re tired. Maybe it’s remembering your “why” when things feel unclear.
Purpose isn’t always about feeling good. Sometimes, it’s about choosing to keep going because what you're doing matters.
Next Step: Purpose
Finding meaning and purpose in your work is a journey—one that unfolds over time. You don’t have to have all the answers today. You just have to be open to listening to yourself, paying attention to what lights you up, and being honest about what no longer fits.
Whether you're in a job you love, one you’re learning to love, or one you hope to leave someday, I hope you’ll take this with you:
You are worthy of doing work that feels meaningful.
You are allowed to seek purpose.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re navigating these questions and would like someone to walk beside you, I’d be honored to support you as a coach. You're not meant to figure everything out by yourself. Together, we can explore what purpose looks like for you—at work and beyond.
If this post resonated with you, share it with someone who could use a little more connection today.