What got you out of bed this morning? Was it your paycheck? Was it a project, your partner, or perhaps your child? There are many different reasons why you may have gotten out of bed this morning, but one very powerful reason that drives a lot of people who label themselves as successful, is having a well-defined purpose.

When focusing on social impact careers, I suggest asking yourself each morning, “For whom am I trying to make a difference?”.
Answering this question will empower you with purpose, accelerating your social impact career.  Being part of a purpose that is larger than you will help lead your career on an organic path of self development. Life has a habit of bumping us off coarse now and again, and I have found many of my clients, and even myself at times, beginning to sway off course from our true purpose from time to time due to other mitigating factors in our lives. Having a well-defined purpose is a wonderful natural guide back to your purpose of creating impact and making a difference in this world.

One example how purpose can propel careers.

I have a client we will call Heather, who had volunteered regularly for a large national organization that focuses on respiratory health. Heather became familiar with the challenges people with respiratory health problems face due to some health-related family experiences.  After these personal experiences, she decided to volunteer for a non-profit that focused on improving the lives of those with chronic respiratory problems in an events capacity as an organizer. Heather quickly learned that some of her happiest days where when she knew she would be volunteering and making a difference in the lives of those affected by a respiratory ailment. To add to her excitement, Heather now had a newfound purpose for social impact. Heather knew the exact population she was affecting and had a deep passion and desire to make their lives better. The people she was working with were great and she really felt a sense of teamwork and personal fulfillment at the organization as well. It may not be any big surprise that she now works permanently as an employee with the national nonprofit she had been volunteering with. I would argue that it was not just because she volunteered that she landed the permanent position, but more so because she decided early on what purpose she wanted to be connected to.

Finding your purpose may take some personal exploration and further research. . One recommendation is find a mentor or career coach that has experience in the community or population you would ideally like to serve. I also highly recommend volunteering or interning strategically with a nonprofit or social entrepreneurial organization in order to be sure you are fully committed and connected to the mission of the organization.
Find your purpose and be propelled to deeper social impact! For further help in the coaching arena feel free to visit http://thenonprofitcareercoach.org/coaching-services.