Ashley Keleher

I’m going to start this one with what seems like a really simple question, but for most people I imagine it’s going to take some thought. Don’t feel bad if your don’t know or are unsure.  I’m hoping that throughout this post you find yourself thinking about this question and that by the end of this your creative juices are flowing. 

Ok so here we go! What is your purpose? How many of you just paused? Stay with me. I’m going to walk you through my perspective and how I got to determine my vision and ultimately, my purpose, in hopes to help some of you. I by no means am an expert but hope that I can help in some small way. Let’s get into it. 

Your purpose has to matter to you and it has to be something that you are ultimately passionate about. I’ve noticed a lot lately, especially coming out of lockdowns and the new ‘normal’ of work from home lifestyles, that people within my network are making big career shifts. Boundaries within organizations are getting lifted, in that you can live in Ontario and work for a company in Chicago! The amount of contacts within my network that have advanced their careers with organizations completely outside of their regions is inspiring! Now- I’m not saying you need to jump ship and move organizations to advance your careers. My what I am hoping to help you with is defining your passion to help define your career. Once you’ve defined your career goals, it should help you focus on areas that are supportive of your goals. I’ll give you an example. For me a big goal in my growth is working in leadership and a big part of my role today is updating forecasts on a weekly basis. I used to be really bad at this. Like bad. I would wait until my boss, or (worse) my bosses boss would meet with me just to get updates on everything before I would take the time to do the work. Then it dawned on me. This was a critical part of these leadership roles that I wanted to get into. So, if I want to be considered for these roles – likely by these leaders, I need to keep on top of it and keep my conversations with leaders focusing on advancing my careers and more strategic conversations rather than focusing on giving details that are readily available. All to say that this has all given me some perspective and made me start looking at my purpose and if I’m doing what I truly love and dream to do. 

I have found myself more and more lately, waking up and getting ready for the day but struggling to feel motivated. You know the feeling right? When you sit and sip that first cup of coffee but don’t have the desire or energy to get moving? I know for me, this means I need to find my purpose and discover what will light that fire in my belly to get up and be my best self every day! 

I was once asked by a leader, that I have much respect for, “where do you want to go from here?”. Now listen, I had just made a major shift in my career and was about half way through my first year in not only a new role but an entirely new industry! Thinking about what came next wasn’t something I had even really thought about – but the question did get my mind going. I realized as I thought more and more about that questions, was that what I really wanted to do and had a passion for, didn’t exist; at least not at the company I worked for. I didn’t, and I still don’t, think the role didn’t exist because it wasn’t needed. In fact it is very needed and I still think would be an invaluable component to our organization. Instead of doing what most people do and find what was next for me in something that was possible, I created a job description (title included) of what I wanted to do and what I was and still am, very passionate about. I don’t know for certain that this role will ever exist or if I need to out to find my passion but it drives me to be my best self every day knowing it might be possible. 

When I start to struggle to enjoy what I do, I bring my attention and focus back to my goals. This reminds me of my purpose, why I’m doing what I do every day now, so I can continue to gain knowledge and experience that will allow me to get that dream job and achieve my true purpose. This will allow me to get to my goal one day and begin doing what I love and what I’m passionate about.  Think about it- when you want to get in shape you workout and eat healthy right? If you want to buy something nice you put in extra hours and save your money. So why not put in the extra effort and time for your career when you spend so much of your life working?

The vision that you have, HAS to be bigger than you. Hear me out – if you are living your dream right now, good for you. But ideally, your vision in life, should give you a bigger goal to work towards. How you keep that vision your focus can be managed in many ways. If you read my last blog you would know that I love putting pen to paper, so for me, I write down my goals and make a plan on how I envision getting there ( you also would have read about me being a planner). You can also make a vision board if you are a crafty, more creative person. Whatever works for you to create your path to your big vision! 

Whenever you feel like you are struggling to feel motivated or productive, go back to that vision. Remember what you are working towards. Whenever you feel like you are off path to meet your vision, reset and reevaluate. Keep the conversation going. Whether with your manager, loved one, or mentor – ensure that you are talking about your vision and making a strong path to be successful. 

In the words of my favourite author and speaker – ‘I’m creating the life of my dreams’ – Rachel Hollis