Finding Purpose in Your Work Life

Alex Watanabe • June 5, 2019

Finding purpose in your work life is almost as important as finding purpose in your personal life.

Yes, we all know and we all say that life is too busy these days, that we barely have time to complete tasks/duties (in our work-lives) or to do the things we want/need to do (in our personal lives). But we never give ourselves an honest answer to the question: “Why does this job make me happy?”

When work is your passion, finding the purpose of it is almost a given. You LOVE what you do and you have that strong desire that can get you to do amazing things (even if you don’t have the skillset yet, you have the drive for it). It’s an emotion that comes from within you, and you apply and direct your energy into it.

When work is your vocation, the purpose is the work, you are suited, you are born to do it. Your mind has been designed to do that type of work, so it brings you joy, fulfilment and personal satisfaction.

When work is your job and your career (and nothing else), a true purpose can easily get lost in the focus of just earning money to pay your bills, mortgage, hobbies, travel etc. It is mainly motivated by the dollar. It’s very easy to get trapped into it and become extremely dissatisfied with your work life.

So, the meaning of all this is: if you’re passion ate about your work and it feels like you were born to do it ( vocation ) – great! You won’t even need to ask yourself if you’re happy doing what you are doing, you know you are!

But if you are working in a job that does not bring you some levels of joy, excitement and accomplishment, it is time to go and search for what makes you happy. Take risks and ask yourself (or even ask others too, a different perspective can be quite useful too), does my work life have a purpose? When it does, it can release a road of great fulfilment and delight, for a lifetime!

Find the job you love I Find the right talent
Get in touch with people2people

Australia   I   United Kingdom

In business since 2002 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Large Agency and Excellence in Candidate Care Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.



Share insights

Recent articles

By Leanne Lazarus August 28, 2025
Leanne Lazarus is joined by Adeline Rooney and Samantha McCall to explore how HR teams across Australia and New Zealand are embracing personalisation, AI, and employee-centred strategies. From microlearning to remote workforce tools, they unpack what’s redefining success in 2025.
By Nicole Consterdine August 26, 2025
Amid budget cuts and tech transitions, Nicole Consterdine leads a conversation with Chelsea Dale and Peter Crestani about the changing face of government hiring. They explore skill demands, AI’s role, and what the future looks like for public sector talent across Australia and New Zealand.
By Sharna Bryant August 21, 2025
Sharna Bryant is joined by Danny Merrigan and Sam Olorenshaw to discuss how the sales sector is growing smarter in 2025. From AI and personal branding to decentralised learning and soft skill mastery, this update reveals what’s defining standout employers and high-performing teams.
By Peta Seaman August 19, 2025
In this 2025 property market update, Peta Seaman is joined by Deanne Goodwin and Ella Mills to explore rising optimism across Australia and New Zealand. From AI adoption to renter-focused trends, they reveal what’s shaping the sector’s future.
By Liz Punshon August 13, 2025
With job ads down and applications rising, Australia’s employment market is in flux. In this update, Liz Punshon is joined by Brooke Lord and Guy Davy to explore the shifts in hiring strategy, workforce expectations, and why 2025 demands a more nuanced approach to talent attraction.

Latest Media Features


Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialisat recruitment consultants across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Contact us