Meaning in Motion: Finding Purpose When Everything Shifts
What happens when the ground under your feet gives way?
For many leaders, identity is deeply tied to role, title, or professional certainty. When those things shift—through job loss, retirement, organizational change, or even the quiet erosion of meaning at work—it can feel like the compass is gone.
I know that disorientation personally. For a time, I defined myself entirely by what I did, the authority I held, and the pace I could maintain. When that was stripped away, it wasn’t just the loss of a role—it was the loss of who I thought I was.
And yet, it was in that space of “not knowing” that purpose began to reemerge.
Reflection: What Still Anchors You?
Purpose doesn’t vanish just because circumstances change. It evolves. When the external anchors fall away, we have to ask:
What values still hold true for me?
What do I want to mean to others, even now?
What contribution can I make, even if it looks different than before?
These questions don’t provide quick fixes, but they open space for clarity.
Action: Small Steps Toward New Meaning
Purpose isn’t found in one breakthrough moment—it reveals itself through action:
Saying yes to a project that aligns with your values, even if it’s not your “dream job.”
Reaching out to mentor someone who is where you once were.
Taking one deliberate step toward the legacy you want to build.
In those actions, meaning begins to move again.
The Compass of Meaning
When everything shifts, you may not know exactly where you’re going. But purpose is less about the destination and more about the compass you carry with you. That compass is your values, your story, and your willingness to keep moving.
Your identity is not static. Your purpose is not frozen in time. Both evolve with you.
Affirmation for This Month:
My purpose isn’t static — it evolves with me.
Practice Prompt:
What do I want to mean to others, even now?
SEPTEMBER COACHING OFFER
3-Session Coaching Sprint: Who Am I Now?
What it is: A short-term, September-only coaching track for identity & purpose realignment.
Structure:
Session 1: Who Am I Now? Identity check-in and narrative reframing
Session 2: Cultural & Community Legacy — uncovering roots and wisdom
Session 3: Aspiration Map — defining what to learn, teach, and leave behind
Includes: Journaling prompts between sessions + your mini guide as a workbook
Investment: $400
Positioning: A clear arc, with tangible outcomes in 4–6 weeks.
Click here to purchase this coaching package.
