Purpose is Power
I just returned from a 10-day trip to the East Coast for work, play, and community. It was the kind of journey I didn’t realize I needed. From reconnecting with childhood friends who feel like home to meeting my friends' babies for the first time and tucking my nephews into bed—it all profoundly nourished my roots. Walking through nostalgic streets, visiting old favorite spots, and savoring those moments left me feeling deeply grounded.
I also had the opportunity to attend a Mindful Leadership conference in DC. Connecting with like-minded professionals who are bringing mindfulness into corporate and educational spaces was incredibly stimulating. These experiences from the past two weeks have reconnected me to my purpose in new, meaningful ways. Whether it was spending time with loved ones or engaging in the work that lights me up, I felt deeply aligned.
Through these moments, I’m reminded of why I do what I do. My personal purpose is to make people feel seen, heard, and cared for. My professional purpose is to help people connect with their head, heart and body—bringing mindful attention and intention to every part of their lives. Because life is short, and each day is a gift.
Align to Your Purpose
As we step into a new quarter and season of life, this is a perfect time to re-ground in your own purpose. Purpose is a key pillar of well-being. As humans we seek to have meaning.
When we focus on what feels meaningful and remind ourselves of our "why," we stay motivated and connected to what truly matters. Purpose gives us direction. Interestingly, our sense of purpose can shift as we grow—whether due to life stages, changes in identity, relationships, or the environment we find ourselves in.
It can be beneficial to pause and evaluate:
where do you want to go?
where are you right now?
what is your why for wanting to go there?
who are you being along the journey?
For example, I recently started working with a client who is navigating this very journey. With a one-year-old baby and a career in tech, she’s ready for a shift. She’s exploring her identity as a mother while balancing her ambition to grow professionally. It’s easy for her to get caught up in the daily grind—feeling stuck on autopilot, unsure of where she’s headed. Together, we’re working on redefining her purpose so she can live in alignment with both her career and family values (without burning out).
Research shows how crucial it is to stay connected to our purpose in managing burnout. But it also shows that even when we're deeply engaged in our work, burnout can still creep in because we care so much. The key is learning to recognize when it's time to press the gas and when it's time to ease off. Just like athletes, we need both performance and recovery schedules.