Future Alignment: How to Find Your Career Purpose
‘Finding and living in alignment with the inner purpose is the foundation for fulfilling your outer purpose. It is the basis of true success.’
– Eckhart Tolle
We know the new world is here and we have to expect more change. So, to futureproof ourselves and our careers, and preserve our livelihoods, we must reset and align with the new world of work.
In reality, most of our workforce is aligned with an outdated job or career and that is no good for them, their organisations or society. We have big problems that can be solved by people like you, who align with the now and the future. As Warren Buffet said, ‘There is no use running if you are on the wrong road.’
Many are approaching career dead-ends, road-bends and cross-roads, with restructuring, redundancies and reskilling ahead for the workforce of the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0. You have a choice to align with the future or not. You will get what you align yourself with. It’s up to you!
Most executives and professionals are so busy on the treadmill that they don’t know where they want to go.
I’d love you to choose a present and future filled with fulfilling, rewarding, career- and future-abundant, growing options rather than stale, old, unfulfilling, energy-sapping, limited options.
When you are clear on your authenticity and your future alignment, you can be it, attract it and amplify your energy and efforts.
When you align yourself with your biggest, best self, career and life, and when you’re authentic, and present and future-aligned, you make your most powerful impact.
You can’t just expect a great job or career to come to you. It’s increasingly competitive – there are more people for fewer roles. You have to maximise your value. Old skills will become automated. Artificial intelligence, big data, augmented/virtual reality, the digital age – they are all here today. You can’t expect to keep your job and make a big impact by staying the same. You’ll be outsourced or overlooked. I realise this is tough to hear, but it’s true, and it’s tougher if you don’t do anything about it.
I want to futureproof you. To do this, you need to Future Align. Part of this involves defining your Career Purpose.
Your Career Purpose
One of my clients was in a business that was bought by a private equity firm and had a new CEO appointed. It was challenging for the whole business and her division in particular. However, we had created her Career Purpose and it gave her the confidence, courage and conviction to take her stand amongst huge change. She knew what was consistent and motivating and what would be most successful for her team, the organisation and society. That’s what a Career Purpose can do!
Her team knew it was authentic to her; they remained as engaged as they could, maximising their performance and contribution in tough and challenging times. Consistently aligned with the future she wanted to create, she put her purpose into action despite the challenges.
It’s easy over time to think you are only what you do, but it’s who you are and the WHY that are critical and that make the long-term impact.
Her team will never forget her Career Purpose or her brand.
What will you be remembered for?
Early on in my business, my purpose was to ‘help companies become a great place to work’. I fully believe if we have more engaged employees, we have higher performance, higher profits for good and we make a much better impact on the planet.
Over time, I added more about focus on the individual. Why? Because I believe in the unique superpowers of individuals and the impact all individuals can make.
We have 7.7 billion people on this planet and if we have people standing out authentically and aligned in their careers, and able to make the most impact… imagine the potential being harnessed and realised!
Helping individuals achieve their ultimate Career Purpose and potential is still at the core of my purpose today.
Your purpose is the unique gift you bring to the world.
It defines who you are in all contexts (as a leader, executive, business owner, aunty, mother, father, friend, etc.)
It’s your personal North Star, something you use as a reference point to guide you through life and keep you on the right path.
Your purpose should be something you are relentless about, that you constantly wish for, think about, worry about, obsess about… it probably keeps you awake at night with concern. Have you got something or some themes that come to mind? Now we are getting closer.
When your intention comes from your highest purpose, it powers your actions and results. Your purpose is to share your gifts (or unique superpowers) and to live aligned with your values.
Your purpose is within you. You have to do the work to discover it and unblock it to be in alignment and flow.
Knowing your purpose gives meaning, joy and direction to your life.
Reflect on the following questions:
Describe some moments – in work and life – when you have been most proud.
What was the specific contribution you made to the lives of others during these moments?
What impact did you have? What did this moment allow others to do or be?
By reflecting on these answers, get to a sentence about your purpose that inspires you and has value in the future!
Knowing your purpose gives you power. Find out what else you can do to Future Align in my book: Futureproof You: 3 Keys to Reimagining Your Career and Amplifying Your Impact in the New World of Work
Confront Your Reality
Do a quick check-in. Are any of the following statements true for you?
I want a meaningful, impactful, fulfilling career.
There is more to my career, leadership and life.
I have more to give.
I am overwhelmed with expectations, roles, workload and/or options and I can’t see a clear path for what’s best anymore.
I don’t have a career or future plan.
I am not feeling my whole self at work.
I don’t want to sell myself or to be ‘cut down’.
I don’t know how to brand myself authentically to be more influential, impactful and valuable.
I don’t want to regret not making the impact I could have.
I am driven to achieve, contribute and be a role model.
I have a need to maintain my livelihood and lifestyle (and others); I want to maximise my value, worth and impact.
Something needs to change but I don’t know what or how.
Yes? Then it’s time to Futureproof You.
You can BE MORE.
You can MAKE MORE IMPACT IN YOUR CAREER.
You can be your AUTHENTIC, WHOLE SELF and BE VALUED MORE FOR IT.
You can ADAPT and MAXIMISE YOUR VALUE & FUTURE in an ever-changing world.