Before you can struggle toward your goals, you first have to struggle toward understanding your purpose.
Purpose is the reason something exists or is done — the intention behind an action, the aim that gives effort meaning. It’s the “why” that guides choices, shapes identity, and helps you decide what kind of life you want to build.
In career terms, purpose begins with a simple but powerful question: What do you want to be known for?
Once you can answer that, you can start filling in the blanks of who you want to become. Fill them in again and again. Study each possibility. Talk to people who live those paths. Find mentors. Try on several versions of yourself. And eventually, follow your heart toward the one that feels true.
My own path wasn’t linear. I volunteered with Head Start, coaching at‑risk youth. I played and sang in a band, discovering the magic of teamwork and harmony. I majored in organizational behavior and collective bargaining, learning about the world of work and workers. I followed a dream to law school — which ultimately led me back to the deeper question of purpose. That journey pointed me toward Human Resources.
That’s my story. What’s yours. Don’t avoid the difficult questions — of yourself or others. Don’t shy away from reflection — it’s how you find where your passions live. And don’t give up. Good is easy. Great is always a struggle.
The truth is simple: discovering your purpose takes effort, courage, and time today.
Chadwick Boseman (1976 – 2020): American actor and playwright.
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