Purpose is a Process, Not a Place

Once upon a time, I worked in the education field. After starting this career, I thought I would work 25 years and retire. But plans changed. Life changed. I changed.

It no longer suited me. I wasn't happy. In fact, I was very stressed and it spilled over into my family life.

One day, it ended. In a very unexpected way. I had no idea what I was going to do next.

Most of us believe purpose is something we eventually arrive at, like a finish line we cross once we “figure life out.” But the truth is much deeper than that.

Purpose is not a destination. It’s a journey. A living, evolving process shaped by every season we walk through.

Purpose unfolds over time. It deepens as you grow, shift, and experience the highs and lows of life. And often, the moments that feel like setbacks are the very things that sharpen your clarity and strengthen your calling.

Think about the detours you’ve experienced. A relationship dissolved. A dream was deferred.

At the time, it may have felt like a failure or a closed door, but looking back, you can often see how those unexpected turns led you somewhere you were actually meant to be.

This was definitely the case for me. I felt devastated when I had to make the decision to leave my career. But, it led me here.

One of the greatest lessons in the purpose journey is this: every detour carries direction. Every delay carries development. The moments that feel like interruptions are often invitations to grow and pivot.

I’ve talked to countless people who only discovered their true purpose after life shook up their plans. A setback pushed them into starting their own business. A painful experience inspired them to help others. A closed door redirected them toward a calling they never would have chosen on their own.

Purpose matures as you do. Who you are today is not who you were ten years ago, and it won’t be who you become ten years from now. That’s the beauty of it.

Purpose moves. Purpose expands. Purpose responds to your growth.

So if you don’t have it all figured out yet, breathe deep. You’re not behind. You’re becoming.

Embrace the process. Trust the detours. Celebrate the small steps. And remember that your purpose isn’t something you find once. It’s something you walk out every single day, one choice, one change, one chapter at a time.

Your journey is still unfolding. And right where you are is part of your purpose.

If you’re interested in beginning the process of discovering your purpose, check out my free Purpose Pointer worksheet.