Unlock Your Professional Purpose: Craft a Career of Impact and Meaning

Ready to Shake Things Up? Read On. Are you fed up with where your career is heading? Feel like you're destined for something more? Overwhelmed by where to even start? You're not alone, and it's time to break free. Keep reading to find answers and ignite your transformation.

Welcome to the Chaos: Embrace It

In this chaotic, rapidly changing world, finding purpose and genuine success in our careers (and lives) is more crucial than ever and harder than ever. Building a career that truly resonates within ourselves (and not others) is about more than just technical skills or climbing the corporate ladder. It's about connecting deeply with yourself first (which includes a higher power) and then others, offering real value, creating innovative solutions, beautifying your work and environment, and embracing the hero's journey of growth and challenge.

Our 5-Step Purpose-Driven Professional Model

Our model is a straightforward yet powerful process to help you build both passion and contribution in your career. The steps are: CONNECT, SERVE, INVENT, BEAUTIFY, and HEROIZE.

Step 1: CONNECT

The first step is about understanding yourself (strengthened by a personal spiritual connection), building trust with yourself, and then sharing that confidence with others.

Author's Note: I get it. In my 20s, I despised my job, felt like I was squandering my potential, and completely lost my purpose and joy. I was also a bit of a loner and thought I could do it all myself. To make matters worse, I lost my job and had to declare bankruptcy. It was the darkest time of my life, but getting through it prepared me to understand what you're going through and to help you reinvent yourself. There's a giant inside you just waiting to shine—it just needs a little help to come out. I'm here to help!

CONNECT: Connect with Yourself, Others, and Your Spiritual Side

Self-awareness and building trust with yourself first, exploring your spiritual itch, then connecting with your team and other teams is central to finding joy and achieving wild success. Any meaningful career begins by connecting with yourself. Understanding your values, strengths, and passions provides a clear sense of direction and purpose. Additionally, connecting with a higher power, as you define it, can bring confidence and a profound sense of purpose and meaning. Self-reflection and mindfulness practices can help you gain this deeper understanding and align your actions with your core beliefs. Let's explore the importance of connection, backed by scientific research, real-life stories, and practical tips.

Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Connection

Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of your own character, feelings, motives, and desires. According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, self-awareness is one of the key components of emotional intelligence. He states, "If you are tuned out of your own emotions, you will be poor at reading them in other people."

Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

Research from the Cornell University ILR School highlights that individuals who have a strong sense of self-awareness are more likely to be effective leaders and collaborators. They have a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which allows them to leverage their skills effectively while seeking support in areas where they are less proficient.

Research from the Cornell University ILR School highlights that individuals who have a strong sense of self-awareness are more likely to be effective leaders and collaborators. They have a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which allows them to leverage their skills effectively while seeking support in areas where they are less proficient.

However, most people believe that self-awareness is something you are born with. It is not. It is developed over time by giving your best in everything you do, listening to the feedback and paying attention to your natural born talents and passions. CAUTION: It is very easy to lose oneself in others' needs and society's expectations (or perceived expectations). To combat this, we must live consciously, fully awake...and it all starts with connection.

TIP: Begin each day with a few minutes of mindfulness meditation to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and actions. This practice can enhance self-awareness and create a grounded, centered mindset.

RESOURCE: If you are newer to meditation, here is my favorite meditation audio on Spotify and it's only 8:48 minutes long.

Building Trust: The Cornerstone of Relationships

Once you trust yourself (by trying your best over and over), building relationships with others becomes much more effective. Trust is the cornerstone of any meaningful relationship and is built through consistent, authentic interactions with yourself and then others. Being genuine and showing empathy towards yourself and colleagues, clients, and partners fosters a culture of trust and respect.

Trust is the cornerstone of any meaningful relationship and is built through consistent, authentic interactions with yourself and then others.

Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and author, emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in building trust. She says, "Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity." By being open and honest about our thoughts and feelings, we create an environment where trust can flourish.

I would add that this process starts with being vulnerable with ourselves first. Be honest with yourself about the current state of your career, and where you want to take it...if you don't know where you are going, start with the question: "Where do I want my career to go?

REAL LIFE STORY: Consider the story of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. When he took over the leadership role, he focused on building a culture of empathy and trust within the company. His approach involved open communication, active listening, and leading by example. This shift not only fostered stronger relationships within the team but also propelled Microsoft to new heights of innovation and success.

I would argue that this mindset was already present in Satya before he implemented it within Microsoft. 

TIP: Foster trust by practicing active listening to first your own internal dialogue and then what others are saying. Show genuine interest in your own guts perspective and then others' perspectives and respond with empathy.

RESOURCE: A little well-known (don't judge this book by its cover), yet extremely powerful book, and my favorite on the topic of connecting with the self, is Boundaries: Where You End, and I Begin.

Meeting New People: Expanding Your Horizons

Networking (or as I prefer, meeting new people) is another vital aspect of connection. By expanding your personal and professional network, you open doors to new opportunities, ideas, and collaborations. Remember, networking isn't just about what others can do for you; it's also about genuinely connecting with others and helping others when you can. A generous and service-oriented mindset helps build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships and friendships. (and friendships are in low supply today as outlined in HBR’s recent article on Helping Employees Overcome Loneliness).

Further research from Harvard Business Review indicates that high-quality connections at work can lead to better performance, higher engagement, and greater well-being. These connections are characterized by mutual respect, shared experiences, and positive interactions.

REAL LIFE STORY: Oprah Winfrey's rise to success is a testament to the power of meeting new people. Throughout her career, she built strong connections with influential figures across various industries. These relationships provided her with opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and growth, ultimately shaping her journey to becoming a media mogul and philanthropist.

AUTHOR LESSON LEARNED: For five years, I hosted a career podcast and was flooded with offers from publishers to interview book authors. But I turned them all down. Why? I was afraid that their expertise would outshine mine and make me look bad. Don’t repeat my mistake—embrace opportunities to meet and learn from new people.

TIP: Approach meeting new people with a giving mindset. Identify ways you can support your own emotional and intellectual needs, then add value to others, whether through sharing resources, offering advice, or making introductions. This approach fosters goodwill and creates a network of genuine, supportive connections.

Nurturing Your Spiritual Connection: Pathways to Confidence and Purpose

Connecting to a higher power, as you define it, can be a deeply personal and transformative journey. This connection often begins with a commitment to exploring and nurturing your spiritual side. One way to start is by setting aside dedicated time for reflection and meditation. Meditation allows you to quiet your mind, focus on your inner self, and open up to the presence of a higher power. By regularly engaging in this practice, you create a space where you can listen to your inner voice and experience a sense of peace and clarity.

Another effective way to connect with your higher power is through prayer or affirmations. These practices enable you to express your thoughts, gratitude, and desires, fostering a two-way relationship with the divine. Whether through traditional religious practices or personal spiritual rituals, prayer and affirmations can help you feel supported and guided by a force greater than yourself. This connection can instill a profound sense of confidence, as you begin to trust in the wisdom and support of your higher power or the universe.

The relationship between connecting with a higher power and experiencing a sense of peace, confidence, and deeper meaning in life is profound. When you feel aligned with a higher purpose, you have a deeper connection with your soul, and everyday challenges become more manageable, and life's uncertainties less daunting. This spiritual alignment provides a stable foundation, allowing you to navigate life's ups and downs with greater resilience and assurance. The peace that comes from this connection fosters a deep sense of inner security, enabling you to live more authentically and purposefully.

Ultimately, the journey to connect with your higher power is a path to discovering your true self. It offers a deeper understanding of your place in the world and the unique contribution you can make. By nurturing this spiritual connection, you cultivate a life filled with meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging to something greater. This connection not only enriches your personal and professional life but also empowers you to inspire and uplift those around you, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Tips and Tricks for Enhancing Connection

Here are some practical tips and strategies to help you strengthen your connections with yourself and others:

1. Self-Reflection Journaling: Dedicate time each week to journal about your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This practice can deepen self-awareness and help you track your personal growth. I like reflecting at the end of the day on one thing I learned.

2. Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular one-on-one check-ins with colleagues and team members. Use these meetings to build rapport, address concerns, and discuss future goals. Consistent communication helps maintain strong relationships. You are most likely having these meetings but are they truly rewarding and productive? What changes could you make to have them be 10 times more fun and impactful?

3. Empathy Exercises: Practice empathy by putting yourself in others' shoes. Imagine their perspectives and feelings in different situations. This can enhance your ability to connect and respond thoughtfully. Of course, this requires that you first understand your own unique perspective. 

4. Feedback Loop: Create a culture of open feedback within your team. Encourage constructive feedback and provide opportunities for improvement. This fosters trust and continuous growth. Cliché, yes I know, but where feedback can truly transform professional lives is when it is done from a place of candor and with an “intent to help and build up”. 

5. Community Involvement: Engage in community activities or volunteer work. Connecting with others outside of your professional sphere can provide new insights, build a sense of belonging, and expand your network. Volunteering may appear to be a waste of time when it comes to advancing your career…however, it is a vital step towards increasing your joy, serving others, and learning how to truly listen to other perspectives, which is a superpower in today’s business environment. Choose a cause you believe in and proudly display your involvment on your LinkedIn profile.

6. Connect with Nature: Engaging with nature is also a powerful way to deepen your spiritual connection. Nature has a unique ability to ground us and remind us of the larger universe we are a part of. Spending time outdoors, whether hiking, walking by the beach, or simply sitting in a park, can help you feel more connected to the world around you and the higher power that you believe in. This immersion in nature can bring a sense of tranquility, perspective, and gratitude, enhancing your spiritual well-being.

Scientific Insights

Scientific research supports the profound impact of connection on our well-being and performance. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that social connections and a sense of belonging are fundamental to our mental and physical health. The researchers noted that strong social ties can increase longevity, boost immune function, and reduce stress levels. Having spent years learning how to overcome my own personal mental health challenges, connections to self and others, has to be the first step in your journey of finding true professional purpose.

As Dr. Matthew Lieberman, a neuroscientist at UCLA, points out, "Our need to connect is as fundamental as our need for food and water." Human beings are inherently social creatures, and meaningful connections play a crucial role in our overall happiness and fulfillment. I must re-emphasize that our need to connect is the most rewarding and productive when we first connect with ourselves.

Our need to connect is as fundamental as our need for food and water.

Conclusion

This has been an overview of Step 1: CONNECT, in our Our 5-Step Purpose-Driven Professional Model. Connecting with yourself, others and your spiritual side is not only central to achieving wild objectives but also essential for a fulfilling and purpose-driven career. By fostering self-awareness, connecting to your higher purpose, building trust through authentic interactions, and meeting new people, you can create a strong foundation for personal and professional growth. Embrace these principles, and you'll be well on your way to pursuing joy, building trust, and achieving remarkable success.

Next Step

Are you interested in professional coaching to apply the full 5-Steps in your career to find your purpose, meaning, and success? Or are you an HR leader aiming to modernize your talent programs with the complete 5-Steps? If so, visit us at Talent Sprint.

I've committed to coaching only 10 professionals to ensure I can give my very best to each.

PS: My commitment is to over-deliver for you! Having read this article, I can tell you're eager to improve, and I want to reward you with a FREE copy of my published career book in manuscript form. Over the years, I’ve hosted Career FastTrack, a career podcast, coached over 3,000 individuals, led teams, and built two startups. Now, I want to help you achieve your career goals to achieve both success and purpose.

PPS: Message me personally at outcomes@talentsprintgroup.com by June 30, 2024, and I will deliver the first two steps for FREE. You can stop at any time, but I know you'll want to continue because you’ll love the program—and there’s a lot at stake for you. This offer is limited to the first 10 people who contact me. To qualify, please complete this short 90-second survey.

Awaken your inner shine.

Philippe Desrochers, M.A. Organizational Development & Leadership