From chaos to clarity: Reclaiming purpose in a volatile workplace

In today’s complex world, many professionals find themselves questioning the meaning and purpose of their work. The constant pressures of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) can blur the lines between professional fulfillment and personal satisfaction. But finding purpose isn’t about fixing something that’s broken—because you’re not broken. It’s about navigating through the haze and reconnecting with what truly matters.

When life feels overwhelming, clarity can seem elusive. The stresses of day-to-day work, no matter how small, accumulate and weigh us down. Micro-stresses—those draining elements in both our working lives and personal environments—may seem insignificant on their own, but over time, they chip away at our energy. To regain balance, we first need to acknowledge these stressors and their underlying triggers. Often, they stem from deeper drivers within us, linked to our values and beliefs about success.

But once you understand these triggers, you can begin to shift your perspective. One powerful way to do this is by practicing gratitude—training your brain to focus on what is positive and uplifting.

This shift doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but rather reframing how you see them. It’s about adjusting the balance, seeing where you’ve let the negative outweigh the positive, and taking steps to reverse that dynamic.

At the heart of finding purpose is reconnecting to what energizes you. Over time, many of us slip into “auto-pilot” mode, losing touch with the activities that once engaged us deeply. Our work becomes transactional—something to get done rather than something to enjoy. But purpose can often be found in the doing itself, not just the outcome. Ask yourself: what aspects of your work make you feel most alive? Where have you bypassed opportunities to enter a state of flow—those moments when you’re so engaged in an activity that time seems to disappear? Fighting this self-imposed robotisation is key. Recognize where you’ve created routines that drain creativity, and seek ways to reintroduce spontaneity and passion into your workday.

Another crucial element of reconnecting to purpose lies in changing how we view work itself. Work isn’t just a linear journey toward goals; it’s multi-dimensional. Imagine your job as a balance between three core elements: operations (the day-to-day tasks), discipline (the tools and processes you need to organize yourself), and resources (the activities you implement to regain energy and develop yourself). When you balance these three components, you create a more holistic, fulfilling work experience. And beyond the mechanics of your job, it’s essential to see the broader picture—how your contributions, however small, serve the needs of others. Purpose doesn’t always come from being the hero or the star of the show. Sometimes, it’s about simply being helpful, doing your best to support those around you, and finding meaning in the ways your work touches the lives of others.

However, one of the most subtle but significant barriers to finding purpose comes from within: our inner dialogue. The words we use with ourselves—phrases like “I should” or “I have to”—can trap us in a cycle of obligation and pressure.

But what if you shifted that language?What if you replaced “should” with “choose” and transformed obligation into aspiration? By doing so, you can free yourself from the weight of external expectations and connect more deeply with what you truly want to achieve.

In our search for purpose, we often buy into the myth that there is one “big thing” we are destined to do. But purpose isn’t a singular, grand revelation. It’s found in the smallest moments—whether it’s bringing a smile to a colleague, sparking new ideas, or simply making someone’s day a little brighter. The idea that everyone has a grand life purpose is misleading. True meaning often lies in the everyday, and in the quiet, unassuming ways we show up for ourselves and others.

To truly experience purpose, we must also reconnect with our emotions. Emotions are a powerful compass, guiding us toward what feels aligned with our values. Pay attention to how your body responds in different situations—those signals often point directly to what you value most. Take the time to sort through your values, understand their criteria, and set realistic goals that reflect them. Once you clarify what drives you and how to activate those drivers, you create a pathway for consistent, purpose-driven action in your work life.

Ultimately, finding purpose at work isn’t about uncovering some hidden, life-altering mission. It’s about reconfiguring your relationship with work, recognizing the moments that bring you joy, and letting go of expectations that weigh you down. In the everyday tasks, the connections with others, and the sense of flow you can rediscover, lies a deeper and more sustainable sense of fulfillment.