Meaning & Purpose

For a very long time, I had been making career decisions based on two things:

First, it was out of practicality: was it something that would allow me to earn enough to pay bills?

Then, it was out of desire: was it something that would allow me to earn enough to have the lifestyle I wanted?

I’m now in a strange situation where I have enough to not be in need, and no longer want some of the things I used to.

Or, at least, I’m no longer willing to put up with things that make me miserable in order to get them.

From working for a company whose business practices are unethical, to sitting through mandatory meetings where they talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

The reward in exchange for slivers of my soul just aren’t worth it anymore.

Which leaves me with a question of “what’s next for me”?

I turned to coaching professionals because it’s something I can do and am good at.

I’ve also considered going back to corporate to lead post-acquisition activities, solve business problems or deliver on so-called impossible projects…because they are all things I can do and am good at.

But is doing something because I can and because I’m good at it enough reason to do it?

I don’t know.

This is a strange situation for me because I’m used to doing things within constraints.

The constraints were interesting problems to solve.

They also dictated the conditions under which I had to operate or make decisions.

Without them, I feel oddly lost, because there are so many options.

Now, what I find myself faced with are philosophical questions about meaning and purpose.

And lots of time to contemplate them.