Finding your purpose can sometimes feel like a ‘should’—something we’re all expected to have figured out. The pressure to find a perfect purpose can leave us feeling stuck or unsure, especially when career paths are more squiggly than straightforward. But does having a purpose really matter? And if so, how do you stay connected to it?

In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the difference between having a purpose and feeling purposeful at work. You’ll learn how to reflect on what truly motivates you, define your squiggly career sweet spot and connect with your core values—even if you’re still figuring things out.

(00:00) The problem with 'purpose'

(07:00) Why do we care about purposeful work?

(08:39) Finding your squiggly career sweet spot

(09:36) Defining your core values

(11:02) Defining your strengths

(13:10) Energy audits

(14:14) What do you want to make better?

(16:35) What do you care about that's bigger than your job?

(18:42) ChatGPT 1 sentence purpose statement

(21:05) Summary

📚 Resources Mentioned:

McKinsey Research Paper: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-search-for-purpose-at-work

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: https://shorturl.at/b6oFv

Values Tools Kit: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

16 Personalities: https://www.16personalities.com/

Principles you: https://principlesyou.com/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareers

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024

3. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

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