What is your career purpose?

Throughout my career journey, I constantly searched for and craved fulfillment and joy from my work. In doing so, I went through various iterations of mindsets to get me through:

• I'll put in the work now and make the sacrifices so I can achieve my goals and then quit.

• Work should be a reflection of my passion.

• Work is to pay bills; I should find joy outside of work.

• I don't need money as long as I'm not miserable.

These mindsets prompted me to embark on many adventures, all of which ultimately made me who I am today. Looking back, however, I wonder if I I wouldn't have been better served if I had figured out my career purpose first - the "why" that drives someone to pursue her chosen career path.

A defined career purpose provides focus allowing you to become more selective about what you do and what you don't do. Your purpose becomes the standard used to evaluate what is essential and what isn’t. It also gives you motivation that spurs you to start and complete something without changing directions midstream or simply quitting. Finally, it allows you to create your career goals to accomplish your purpose.

In other words, a person who understands her career purpose does not take a job or pursue a career to create a purpose but rather designs a career path to allow the purpose to unfold.

I experienced a successful career for a long time without knowing my career purpose, but if I had to do it all over again, I would ask myself the "why" before answering the "what".

#careerpurpose #asianamericanwomen #careerfulfillment #selfdiscovery