Mindset
March 1, 2026 · Originally published on Substack
Purpose is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in professional development circles. Find your purpose. Live with purpose. Purpose-driven leadership.
But here's what I've come to believe after 30+ years in business: purpose isn't something you find sitting still. It's something you activate by showing up.
The moments that have defined my career weren't moments of clarity. They were moments of commitment — to a client, to a colleague, to a standard of work I refused to compromise on. Purpose emerged from those commitments, not before them.
Three things that activate purpose:
1. Clarity on your non-negotiables. What are the things you simply won't sacrifice — in how you work, how you treat people, what you stand for? Start there.
2. Consistent action toward something larger than yourself. Purpose scales when it serves others. The work that has meant most to me has always been the work done in service of someone else's dream.
3. The willingness to be uncomfortable. Growth and comfort rarely coexist. The best things I've built required me to push past what felt safe.
What are you activating today?