Uncover Your North Star by Defining Your Life’s Purpose

Imagine a city filled with bright lights and endless noise. Ava, a mid-level manager, found herself drifting—her days were a blur of emails and meetings, but she never felt truly fulfilled. She sensed an underlying restlessness she couldn’t name. One quiet morning, after a sleepless night, she took a moment alone in her apartment. She closed her eyes and asked herself, “What makes me feel alive?” She remembered spontaneous laughter guiding a project launch and her voice trembling with pride as she coached a new team member.

As she reflected, a simple realization emerged: she loved guiding others and creating systems that unlocked potential. With pen and notebook in hand, she wrote, “My purpose is to use my strategic insight and empathy to mentor teams to exceed their own expectations.” Instantly, she felt a lightness—like a compass had clicked into place.

Over the next week, Ava lined up lunch dates with mentors and mentees, reshaped her calendar to make time for one-on-one coaching, and found herself brimming with energy. The neuroscience of purpose shows that having a clear ‘why’ releases dopamine, enhancing motivation and focus—Ava’s brain was primed to seek out experiences in line with her purpose.

You can begin right now. Close your eyes and bring to mind a moment when you felt completely energized—when time melted away and you felt proud. Hold that feeling, then grab a journal and jot down two or three strengths or values that surfaced. Call or text a trusted friend and ask them what they see as your greatest gift. Tonight, combine those discoveries into a single sentence—your unique purpose statement. Pin it where you’ll see it first thing in the morning; let it guide your choices tomorrow.