Finding Purpose in Work and Life Transitions

Transitions are often challenging, but they don’t have to leave you lost. It's possible to find purpose and direction even in the middle of change.

Change has a way of catching us off guard, even when we choose or expect it. Maybe you're in the middle of a career pivot, a major life shift, or a season when familiar roles and rhythms no longer fit the way they used to.

Whatever the shape of your transition, one thing tends to rise to the surface for everbody who's in one. The desire for clarity, direction, and deeper meaning. But there’s another truth I’ve seen time and again, both in my own life and in the lives of my clients. Purpose isn’t something you have to wait to find on the other side of change. It's something you can discover in the midst of it.

Here are a few ways to connect with your purpose even when everything is still shifting.

⏸️ Pause before you rebuild

In seasons of change, the urge to act quickly can be compelling. We want to have a plan, solve the problem, and get back to something stable. But meaningful change needs space to breathe and takes time to carry out. Before rushing right into what’s next, give yourself permission to pause. Let go of the need to “figure it out” right away, and instead start by noticing what’s ending, and what that ending is trying to teach you.

Reflection Question: What am I learning from what’s changing or no longer working?

🧭 Let your values lead

When routines break down and roles shift, your values can become a compass. They’re often quieter than expectations or obligations, and they’re far more stable and reliable. Take time to get reacquainted with what matters most to you. Maybe it's authenticity, creativity, service, connection, or something else. Centering around your core values can help you make aligned choices while the path ahead is still unfolding.

Practice: Name your top 3 values and ask, “How do I want these to show up now and into the next season?”

🌱 Notice what gives you life

Sometimes purpose reveals itself not through dramatic decisions, but through small, daily moments of connection and energy. That project you can’t stop thinking about. That conversation that leaves you feeling more like yourself. That moment with a loved one that makes everything make sense again. These are often the breadcrumbs of purpose.

Pay attention. Follow them.

Practice: Start a weekly “life giving moments” list. See what patterns emerge and how they connect.

🤝 Don’t navigate alone

One of the most common mistakes people make during transitions is going silent or going alone. But this is when connection matters most. Reach out to someone who knows how to listen to you, whether a coach, a friend, or a trusted mentor. Sometimes just naming where you are opens the door to what’s next.

Reflection Question: Who can I talk to honestly about this season of change?

🧩 Remember that purpose evolves

You’re not the same person you were five years ago, or even last year. And that’s not a problem. It’s a sign of growth. The purpose that fit you in one chapter may need to shift in the next. That doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re still learning, growing, becoming. And purpose, when it’s real, grows right along with you.

Practice: Journal or dictate about who you're becoming, what difference you hope to make next, and how that might impact you and those you serve.

Bottom line: You don’t have to wait for things to settle before you reconnect with purpose.

In fact, the middle of a transition is one of the most honest and open places you can meet it. So, take a deep breath. Stay curious. And let your next chapter be shaped not just by what you do, but by who you’re becoming along the way.

Looking for someone to walk alongside you?

I offer a free 30-minute consultation to experience what coaching is like and to begin exploring this season of transition together.

Grab your compass. Pick up a map.

And keep moving forward.

👉 Schedule your consultation today