Reigniting the Spark: Finding Purpose in Your Work

It’s Monday morning, and the thought of heading to work fills you with dread. You’re not alone. A 2023 Gallup study revealed that only 33% of employees in the U.S. feel engaged at work—I wonder if that changed much in 2024? If your days feel like a grind, it’s time to reconnect with your sense of purpose.

Meet Sarah, a marketing manager who felt stuck. She realized her once-thriving passion for brand strategy had turned into a series of monotonous meetings. Sarah decided to take a step back and reflect. She spent a weekend journaling about her most fulfilling projects over the years and identified a common thread: she loved campaigns that told a story and connected emotionally with audiences. Armed with this clarity, Sarah pitched an idea to her manager—a customer-focused storytelling campaign—and volunteered to lead it. Her manager loved the concept and gave her the green light. Over the next few months, Sarah rediscovered her enthusiasm as she worked on the project, and her renewed energy spilled over into other areas of her role.

Action Steps:

1. Reflect on Your “Why”: Take 10 minutes daily to journal about what initially drew you to your field. Is it helping others, problem-solving, or creative expression?
2. Set Purposeful Goals: Break your job into smaller, meaningful milestones. For Sarah, this meant pitching a new campaign idea aligned with her core values.
3. Have a Conversation with Leadership: Share your insights with your manager. Discuss ways your responsibilities could better align with your strengths and passions.

Rediscovering purpose isn’t always about big career changes—sometimes, it’s about small adjustments that align your work with what you love. For more inspiration, check out Marcus Buckingham’s book, Love+Work, to dive deeper into finding purpose in your career.