The Purpose Crisis
The world has a purpose crisis. Me too.
The world has a purpose crisis
The search for Life Purpose is trending. "Find my purpose" returns 5.4 billion results on Google, and Youtube is full of "How to find your purpose" videos. A new term was coined for employees leaving their jobs, The Big Quit, and corporates update their mission statements so much they start to sound ridiculous, in the hope that employees get more engaged.
At the same time the rise of the global wealth and increasingly large middle class means more and more people can live a comfortable enough life to actually start thinking about their own purpose in life.
Furthermore, social media is full of people who (seemingly) found and follow their purpose. The most successful online personalities are increasingly skilful masters of storytelling and personal branding, contributing to more and more people being confused about their purpose.
I also have a recurring purpose crisis
In the early twenties I didn't think much about it, I just did what I enjoyed, especially during my studies. But then I was lured into the corporate world. Exciting "talent development programs" were waiting, prestigious projects & challenges had to be executed, and the high salary provided a fantastic lifestyle, at least for the hours you were not at the job.
The first few years were fantastic. But slowly, the purpose crisis started to creep in here and there. I started to feel a misalignment with management values, such as "we are here to make money for our shareholders". I also observed an increasing dissatisfaction, especially of my older colleagues. And I began to question the value of the work I did. Yet another process automation for 5% cost savings. Really?
I was wondering if there's more to life than this.
Corporate Patches
Obviously I was not the only one. Companies are quite innovative when it comes to keeping employees around. A promotion or salary increases at the right moment, the strategic project, business trips or an international assignment.
But it was not only extrinsic motivation. I enjoyed the "hard work" and satisfaction of achieving a challenging milestone. I also learned a lot and enjoyed some great colleagues as well as truly fantastic leaders I met along the way.
I'm grateful for many of the experiences over the 12 years I spent with the company. Just a few that come to mind:
Sipping Ouzo on a rooftop terrace in Greece after a successful project implementation
The mountain bike trip with a Norwegian client (during working hours!)
Flying to Jakarta to provide a client training in a high rise office building
... and many honest and enriching human connections along the way
Enough Is Enough - The Tipping Point
But none of the patches worked forever. I finally knew I'm not in the right place, and that I need to change. Having that clarity helped a LOT.
I journaled, worked with coaches, confronted my fears and false beliefs and reflected on my life for weeks. But I wasn't able to figure out what I wanted to do next, so I really had a hard time quitting. Until I realised sometimes you need to let go of one thing in order to invite something new. So I finally quit my corporate job in 2021 and moved to Bali with my family.
The Plan? Take a career break, focus on family, rest, exercise and a ton of creative projects I never took the time to pursue. Game on!
Take a Sabbatical or Career Break!
My calendar was suddenly empty and I had the whole day to do as I please. I spent hours with my kids everyday and had more time with my wife than ever since our first child was born. I learned music production, took singing & music classes to publish a song, learned how to film and edit movies, built my own bamboo instrument, tried free diving & dove down 25m on a single breath, climbed multiple volcanoes and finished my first 75km Ultramarathon. Or I just chilled at a coffee place, had long conversations or read a book.
My sole purpose was to spend time with my family, connect with people and pursue my creative passions. Everyday, I followed my heart & went where the energy wanted to go. I had the time of my life.
Don't get me wrong: Our life was certainly not free of challenges, setbacks, and difficulties. But we dealt with them, and I had the time of my life.
And suddenly, and unexpected, there was this feeling again...
Purpose is a fleeting thing
It took me by surprise. My plan was to 'ease into' the next phase of my life and work. I knew I don't want to go back to my corporate role, but I started freelancing and thinking about what else I wanted to do. Slowly building up a portfolio that I enjoy doing and that pays the bills. This was going to go well!
Well hello scarcity mindset. Instead of just going with the flow, I needed to do something profitable - and that limiting belief makes everything harder. Again, I spent hours reflecting and mind-mapping, thinking about the impact I want to have on the world, the problems I want to address, the people I want to help, how I would like to help them. I have a good answer for all these questions - but as I'm writing this, I'm still stuck, and only slowly beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The purpose crisis is an opportunity
Over the past decade, I learned that every purpose crisis is a signal. A signal that something is about to change, something NEEDS to change. And I learned to accept it. That I need to let go and start trusting myself, and life.
Not believing my inner voice, shouting "It's ok, I should be happy with what I have". No, I knew something has to change. And that's what launched me into action every single time. I didn't always get it right, but I learned with each iteration.
The next chapter
I decided to write publicly in my next chapter. Writing helps me gain clarity. And I want to share this clarity with the world, in the hope that I can connect with people on the same path, and that I may inspire someone who is familiar with the purpose crisis.
I also want to put my skills in innovation & coaching to use. This was my daily bread and butter during my corporate life, and I always find it incredibly rewarding, so it’s a no-brainer to pursue this.
So that's my purpose for the next phase. And putting words to it helps me release the energy and move forward.
I appreciate that you made it so far. Please share any comments, I'd love to hear what comes up in you when you read this.
So much of this resonates, Georg. There's a reason why the cliche exists - It's not about the destination but the journey. By taking that leap and moving abroad, you are more resourceful and courageous than most, and use that energy and experience to find your 'next'.
Great read, thanks for sharing your journey Georg!
This is such a thing that happens -> "Well hello scarcity mindset. Instead of just going with the flow, I needed to do something profitable - and that limiting belief makes everything harder."