Hey there, Monsters!

Have you found your true life purpose yet? I don’t know how you feel about it, but this question used to give me enormous anxiety. In a world that constantly bombards us with messages about finding our purpose and living our passion, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and pressured to have it all figured out from a young age. And the fact that most of us haven’t done so can cause us a lot of stress.

But what if I told you that following your purpose can actually be risky?

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m a firm believer in the power of purpose and the importance of living a meaningful life aligned with our passions and true values. However, the way we approach the concept of purpose today is often misunderstood and misguided, especially through social media. This is especially the case with the younger generations, GenZers, and Millennials like myself, whose social media feeds are full of people that quit their jobs, move to Bali, become spiritual teachers, and allegedly establish a deep connection with their true selves. While we are all happy for those lucky ones, this also causes enormous pressure for the rest of us.

Young people, like me, are conditioned to believe that they must discover our purpose early in life and pursue it with unwavering determination. We’re told to choose our career paths, our life partners, and our life’s mission before we even fully understand ourselves and the world around us.

This pressure to find our purpose can be overwhelming, leading many young people to make hasty decisions that may jeopardize their future.

Let me unpack this, Monsters.

As Evan Carmichael emphasizes in his book “Built to Serve,” purpose is intrinsically tied to serving others and making a difference in their lives. Since most people find their purpose in serving others, making a positive impact on the world, and living a life that aligns with our values and beliefs, we tend to jump into the wrong conclusions. We start to believe that the quest for our purpose is the opposite of looking after our own financial security.

However, it’s also important to acknowledge the realities of the world we live in. As the author of “Quit Like a Millionaire,” Kristy Shen, highlights, sometimes financial considerations play a significant role in the career choices we make, and that is completely fine. As a child coming from severe poverty in post-communist China, once she migrated to Canada, she took pride in her “scarcity mindset”. She strategically chose her field of studies based on the top 3 skills she excelled at, ultimately opting for the one that would give her a higher financial return: computer science.

While she may not have initially pursued her ultimate passion, to become a struggling writer, her strategic career choice allowed her to achieve financial independence and retire in her thirties. By prioritizing financial stability, she gained the freedom to pursue her passions later in life, ultimately leading to the creation of her bestselling book. So, she ultimately became what she always wanted to be.

Dear Monsters, while following your purpose is important, it’s also essential to consider the practical realities of life. It’s okay to prioritize financial stability and security, especially in a world where economic uncertainty is a harsh reality for many. GenZers are especially affected by the current financial uncertainty, inflation, and housing crisis around the world, so being judgmental around prioritizing financial gains over soul-searching can be harmful.

Contrary to popular belief, it is completely okay to go to school and get a job that pays you well and find your purpose later on. The same thing happened to me. I had not discovered my true calling until I turned 30.

I am not saying you shouldn’t be trying to connect with your true purpose and wait until you turn a certain age, but you shouldn’t feel pressured either. If you are a person navigating career choices and feeling overwhelmed to find your calling, here are some practical tips to help you along the way:

• Explore Your Interests: Take the time to explore different fields, hobbies, and activities that interest you. Don’t feel obliged to have it all figured out right away—your interests may change and evolve over time. It is important to deliberately spend time with activities that make you feel like time stops and you are deeply enjoying yourself.
• Gain Experience: Seek out internships, project opportunities, or part-time jobs in fields that intrigue you. Hands-on experience can provide valuable insights into different industries and help you narrow down your career options. You can even do that within your existing organization. Demonstrate the initiative to do something more.
• Talk to Mentors: Reach out to mentors or professionals working in fields you’re curious about. Ask them about their career paths, challenges they’ve faced, and advice they have for young people entering the workforce. You will be surprised in the ways people can inspire you.
• Embrace Uncertainty: It’s okay not to have all the answers right now. Enjoy the journey and trust that your path will unfold in due time. Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Think about Financial Stability: While pursuing your passion is important, don’t underestimate the value of financial stability. Consider the financial implications of your career choices and prioritize opportunities that offer long-term financial safety.

Ultimately, whether you find your purpose early in life or later down the road, embrace it with an open heart and a willingness to grow and evolve.

Remember, the greatest risk in life is not following your purpose—it’s never allowing yourself the opportunity to discover it in the first place.

Until next time,

Helena