In my best selling book, “Back After Burnout,” I include chapters and exercises to help you find your why. Purposeful work gives us value beyond a paycheck. In many cases, it’s a source of joy. To delve into the heart of what drives individuals in their work, we asked twelve professionals, including CEOs and CFOs, to share their “why.” From living authentically to inspire others to writing content that changes lives, these leaders reveal what makes their work feel purposeful and meaningful.
- Living Authentically to Inspire Others
- Making My Daughter Proud
- Pursuing Fairness in Law
- Transforming Businesses Through Digital Marketing
- Crafting Jewelry That Tells Stories
- Empowering Customers Financially
- Enhancing Lives Through Beauty and Wellness
- Loving Music and Creativity
- Working Hard for Future Peace
- Creating the Ideal Supplier
- Enjoying the Process of Business Innovation
- Writing Content That Changes Lives
Living Authentically to Inspire Others
My mission is to live authentically, follow my inner truth, and inspire others to do the same. By being fully present, listening to my intuition, and taking aligned action, I’m creating a life that once seemed impossible. Though the path isn’t always easy, conscious living gives me purpose.
I want to demonstrate through my example that it’s possible to manifest your dreams while also serving the greater good. This takes courage, vulnerability, and faith, but the rewards are immense.
When you show up as your best self each day, you give others permission to do the same. Just imagine if we all lived our truths—we could accomplish things we can’t even conceive of today. The impossible would become possible when we unlock our human potential. Conscious living allows us to create the world we want to see, not as it is, but as it could be. When we live our truths, we can make the impossible possible.
Mona Kirstein, Ph.D., Digital Strategist, Holistic Coach and Consultant, The Wholehearted Path
Making My Daughter Proud
My “why” is so my daughter grows up having a mom of whom she is proud. Before having a kid, I always thought that my “why” was to have a wonderful career so I could have lots of money. That changed when I had my daughter. Now, my “why” is so my daughter feels proud of me. This is why I do my work with passion and meaning, so when she sees me working, she’ll be proud of me and of what I do.
Grace Magalit, Head of Research, PhD Molecular Biology Candidate, Culture.org
Pursuing Fairness in Law
As a personal injury lawyer, the pursuit of fairness, especially for those who can’t champion themselves, is the driving force. In the courtroom and in legal settings, the scales are often tipped, not always intentionally, but due to complexities and power dynamics.
The drive is to reset those scales. Knowing the law is one thing, but applying it in a way that truly serves justice is another. Using legal expertise to help a client navigate those complexities and advocate for their rights makes the long hours and hard work not just a job, but a calling.
Alex Freeburg, Owner, Freeburg Law
Transforming Businesses Through Digital Marketing
My “why” is rooted in the transformative power of digital marketing. I’ve witnessed firsthand how strategic online initiatives can elevate businesses, turning modest ventures into industry leaders.
What drives me is the potential to create such success stories, to empower entrepreneurs and businesses to realize their visions. Every time a client achieves a milestone, or a startup finds its footing, it reaffirms my purpose. My work isn’t just about marketing; it’s about igniting potential, fostering growth, and making a tangible difference in the business landscape.
Jon James, CEO, Ignited Results
Crafting Jewelry That Tells Stories
For me, crafting jewelry isn’t just about aesthetics or a business bottom line. It’s a medium through which stories are told and emotions are encapsulated. Imagine a young man saving up for months to buy an engagement ring, or a daughter inheriting a family heirloom that’s been passed down through generations. These aren’t just transactions; they’re milestones in people’s lives.
What drives me is the ability to be a part of these defining moments, to add a sparkle that goes beyond the gleam of a well-cut diamond. So, each piece of jewelry we design for a client is an opportunity to make that chapter a little brighter, which is what makes my work feel incredibly meaningful.
Nikhil Jogia, Managing Director, Jogia Diamonds
Empowering Customers Financially
My “why” has stayed the same since our inception 10 years ago: empowering customers to take control of their financial well-being. I find purpose and meaning in helping people manage their personal finances because it allows them to achieve their goals, reduce stress, and secure their future.
By providing valuable guidance and insights, and exceptional offerings through my business, I aim to make financial decisions more accessible and understandable, ultimately enabling individuals to lead more fulfilling lives with confidence and financial security.
Gary Gray, CFO, CouponChief.com
Enhancing Lives Through Beauty and Wellness
My “why” is to make a positive impact on people’s lives. My work feels purposeful and meaningful when I can channel resources available to me in a way that helps others.
For instance, my salons are centered not only around beauty but also wellness and mindfulness. Our services encourage clients to maintain positive mental health habits while indulging in self-care. Also, our products are toxin-free and sustainable, which means they are better for customers’ physical health as well as the health of the planet.
Amy Ling Lin, CEO, nailsalon.nyc
Loving Music and Creativity
One of my biggest “whys” is simply my love of music and how it makes me feel. I find what I do to be meaningful simply because it means something to me. I love to be creative and to always find inspiration in the things around me. I like to create new and exciting sounds because it’s a challenge, and that pushes me to always do better and be even more creative.
Pascal Tatipata, Composer, Founder and Owner, DL Sounds
Working Hard for Future Peace
I work ninety hours a week. I am heavily integrated into the four different companies I own. I employ somewhere over fifty people. I pay top-end wages to support my workers’ families and my own. I work so hard and do so much for one reason: to one day, soon, be able to escape.
I work for the ultimate exit. I am so driven so that one day I can sell it all and live my life in peace and quiet in the middle of nowhere.
Christopher Olson, General Partner, Southern Bay Realty
Creating the Ideal Supplier
My “why” is personal. I’ve experienced the frustrations of dealing with unreliable suppliers in my own business. That’s why I’m on a mission to create the ideal supplier I wished for. My purpose is clear: to save other businesses time and money by providing top-notch services, and making their operations more efficient.
Eran Mizrahi, CEO and Founder, Ingredient Brothers
Enjoying the Process of Business Innovation
I really enjoy working and innovating to the point where things in business just work effortlessly. For every business, this is a hard point to get to. Once you get there, the organization is simply magnetic. Employees, customers, and stakeholders of all kinds want to be involved. Progress gets easier, and everyone wants to replicate the magic machine.
Trevor Ewen, COO, QBench
Writing Content That Changes Lives
For me, it’s about seeing results. I love what I do, don’t get me wrong. I think to be a writer, you need to be passionate about it. But if I was writing, and no one was seeing it, then I would lose motivation quickly. Writing great content, seeing people read it, interact with it, and then for it to make a difference to their life drives me.
Steven Wright, Co-Founder and Chief Editor, Lifestyle to the MAX
