Finding Purpose
Purpose “why you do something or why something exists” Cambridge Dictionary
This year has been quite a journey of reflection. At the start of the year, my whole team went into consultation. The result was that my role, along with others, was made redundant.
We all know that change happens, especially in the third sector. But I truly was driven in my job. I was good at it, I saw a long future in it, and I had achieved great results. To be made redundant was not something on my radar as the new year began, and as it is for many, redundancy was a shock.
I worked gracefully through the process, supporting the team I managed, but the weeks that followed, I’m not ashamed to say, were tough. The self questioning about why it had happened, the feeling of having lost direction, the uncertainty about what might come next. It was a challenge.
A piece of advice given to me that week by Jess Payne has stayed with me ever since. She said: “See redundancy as an opportunity – one which gives you space to grow, to see new opportunities, to take on new learning.” My reflection now is that that advice is some of the best I’ve ever been given.
I’ve also been working with the brilliant John Prendergast through coaching. We’ve spoken about how the use of positive language benefits mindset, authentic approaches and about what purpose means and how it is interwoven with our wellbeing – and that is exactly what I want to explore today.
Purpose and Wellbeing Are Deeply Linked
Purpose, I’ve learnt, is absolutely integral to wellbeing. I’ve been reflecting on what my purpose is, how society shapes our view of purpose, and what direction I want that purpose to take in my future.
Our relationship with purpose, I’ve realised, is shaped from childhood, from the moment someone first asks “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. From that point, purpose becomes intertwined with the effort we put into our education and the careers we build. It’s no surprise, that in the months since redundancy, when someone at a social gathering asked “what do you do?”, I found myself stumbling and feeling uncomfortable. As someone who had been made redundant – did I now do anything? Did I have a fit in society?
I then coincidentally came across the Japanese concept of Ikigai – the idea of finding your reason for being, sitting at the centre point of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be rewarded for. You can read more about Ikigai here.
This exploration led me to take time to heal, to be kind to myself, and to truly understand what drives me; understand what my purpose really is. That journey has taught me a great deal.
Understanding My Own Purpose
I had to first understand what my purpose was, and then build a world that enabled me to fulfil it.
As a true believer in the power of volunteering, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to align my newfound time with some hands-on experience, prehaps in areas which were not traditionally the overarching focus of my work roles. The result? I am absolutely loving it. I began as a fundraiser for a community library, which has grown into a Trustee role, and then expanded into communications and marketing.
As someone who has managed volunteering for many years, what has this time of reflection and new experience as a volunteer taught me about purpose?
Drive. Anything I do is approached with positivity, a growth mindset, and a genuine appreciation of transformation. I truly enjoy change. I have a good eye for gaps in systems and processes, and I like to improve and grow. I’m not afraid of challenge – I appreciate great practice, and I love to learn. Being impactful, it turns out, is my purpose – no matter what I do.
People. People matter to me enormously. I missed being part of a team – truly missed it. But I also find great joy in supporting and improving social mobility, social cohesion, and community cohesion. The greatest moments of success in my career, I’ve now realised, are where I’ve made a genuine impact in these areas — whether through an organisation as a whole, or for an individual.
Growth. Large organisations naturally develop specialists, and while most understand the pitfalls of siloed working, the journey towards removing those barriers is still a challenge. My volunteering outside my traditional specialist areas has been something I’m genuinely proud of. I’ve developed, proposed and am now ready to deliver my first fundraising campaign – including all social media content, press releases, and donor pages. I designed new branding to ensure clear visibility and support the campaign. I’ve led values-based discussions and helped shape clear organisational values for the library. I’ve managed the library’s social media over the last month – and engagement on Facebook is now sitting at 1,000% up from when I started.
Family. I am a mum, a wife, and a daughter – and my family is a fundamental part of my life’s purpose. I’ve always worked hard, but I’m now firm with myself: my children and family have focused, irreplaceable time with me. That is something I can never lose again.
So, What Is My Purpose?
My purpose, it seems, is to make a difference, to keep learning, and to make positive impact within our communities, particularly in harder-to-reach areas. And people truly matter to me, whether that’s a team, service users, or friends and family.
I’ve also now understood: personal purpose isn’t developed through jobs. We must find jobs that align with our own purpose.
Volunteering and the Power of Purpose
Volunteering has always been something I’ve championed – for its importance to society, to charities, and to individuals. But this seat I now hold as a volunteer has reaffirmed my passion for it, and underlined how vital it is for charities to truly value their volunteers as individuals, each with their own purpose.
Needing purpose is something we never lose. A 2023 analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (Boreham et al.) found that a greater sense of purpose in life was significantly associated with lower levels of both depression and anxiety. This isn’t just relevant to our working years, it matters at every stage of life. Read the research here. Wiley Online Library
A Final Thought
It’s important to find our own purpose, because when we do, we will all be happier for it.
Am I happy now? Yes. Absolutely. Redundancy, it turns out, has provided a tremendous opportunity.
Am I open to work? Yes, I’m very much open to work, but I’m also open to learning, to broader conversations, informal chats with a cuppa, and to walks in the current sunshine.
Enjoy the sunny weekend ahead, and thanks so much for reading. 🌞
