When you believe your career has been your purpose in life for many years, it can be difficult to find new purpose and meaning in your life. What you need to remember is that – even if it felt like it at times – your job, your career, was never your purpose. You did – and you do – so much more than just work and bring home a paycheck.
Think of everyone in your life – your family, your friends. I guarantee your purpose in their life is not due to your career. They are in your life because of who you are. The special and unique relationship you have with each of them. The laughter, support, and camaraderie you share with each of them.
Now think of all the things you do with each of them, the things you do for each of them. These things don’t need to be huge. Often, it’s the smaller things that make the biggest impact. A kiss goodnight given to your child. A glass of wine when a friend needs a shoulder and an ear. A day or an evening out doing what you enjoy doing together. This is why you are an important part of each of their lives.
Chances are, you are already doing all of these things – the things that make you purposeful to those in your life. You just don’t think of them as or equate them as important because the job, the career, has always held the #1 spot in your mind.
But think about whether or not you having a career makes a difference in the relationships with those who really matter to you. Now think about the difference you not being in each of their lives at would make to them. There would be a hole, a missing piece, in their lives. Because you are not a part of it.
You – your personality, your heart – are your true purpose in life.
