As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the people, opportunities, and experiences that have shaped your journey. Gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging what’s past – it’s about embracing the present and the possibilities ahead. This season invites you to consider how you can channel your skills, values, and passions into a life that gives back to others.

You don’t have to wait until the “end “ of your career to discover your purpose. Every stage offers opportunities to rewrite your story, create meaning, and make an impact. Whether you’re passionate about social causes, building on your strengths, aiming to leave a legacy, or seeking a sense of belonging, you have the power to shape your path, purpose, and journey. Let’s explore these paths, along with book recommendations that share inspiring stories and offer valuable insights to guide your own path.

Social Cause and Impact: Making a Difference Where It Matters
For many, the most rewarding path in any career is one that serves a greater social purpose. If you’re passionate about addressing social challenges, this could be an opportunity to make a difference in any season of your life. Choose a cause or belief system that resonates with you.

In The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, Melinda Gates shares how her work with the Gates Foundation transformed her mission into one of social change showing how improving healthcare and education for women and children worldwide creates a ripple effect. Her story reminds you that social-impact can begin any time, driven by purpose.

Social Cause and Impact Reflection Questions:

• What social issues move you, perhaps something connected to your own life or community?
• How can your unique background or skills help tackle those issues?
• What kind of legacy would you like to leave, and how can your current or future work contribute to it?

Skills and Strengths: Honoring Your Unique Gifts

Another way to find purpose is by using your strengths to help others. Your skills and talents are valuable and applying them in new ways can bring renewed satisfaction. Mid-career professionals might offer mentorship or consulting, while later-stage professionals could volunteer their expertise.

Dave Isay’s Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work shares stories of people who found purpose by leaning into their skills, often later in life. Their journeys remind us that the skills you develop don’t diminish with time – they evolve, becoming even more valuable when shared with others. For example, a retired chef teaching cooking classes to at-risk youth or a business executive mentoring a startup could make a profound impact.

Skills and Strengths Reflection Questions:

• What skills or activities do you most enjoy doing?
• How could your skills translate into roles that support others or create positive change?
• Which of your unique abilities would you most like to be remembered for?

Legacy and Contribution: Building Something That Lasts

The desire to leave a meaningful legacy can emerge at any point. For some, this means creating something lasting – a program, resource, or impact that lives on. Your legacy doesn’t have to be tied to retirement – it’s about the lasting impact you make at any time.

A powerful example is Salva Dut, whose journey is chronicled in A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. Salva founded Water for South Sudan, a nonprofit providing clean water access. His story proves that meaningful contributions, driven by passion and purpose have the power to improve lives for generations.

Legacy and Contribution Reflection Questions:

• What contributions do you want to be remember for, and how could your work help achieve them?
• Are there projects or initiatives you’ve dreamed of but never had the chance to pursue?
• How can you leverage your current resources, experience, or connections to build something meaningful?

Community and Belonging: Fostering Connection and Support

Sometimes, what you seek most in your career isn’t just purpose, but connection. A career focused on building community around a cause or purpose can support both personal fulfillment and organizational success.

In Find Your Why, Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker, encourage readers to clarify their purpose and use it to foster meaningful relationships. You might join a conservation group, host events for senior citizens, or support programs that unite families in underserved neighborhoods – each is an opportunity to create connections rooted in shared values.

Community and Belonging Reflection Questions:

• Who inspires you and what kind of community do they represent?
• What social or support networks could you be part of or help build?
• How can you use this phase of your career to nurture relationships that support both you and your community?

Designing Your Purpose-Driven Journey with the Design Your THRIVE-Career Crossroads Edition

Every life is a story – and with intentional reflection, you have the change to create your next chapter. The Design Your THRIVE workbook provides exercises to help you gain clarity and direction. Embrace the possibilities, cherish the story you’ve written, and look forward to crafting a career that continues to enrich you.

This Thanksgiving, be grateful for your journey and be open to extending your gifts for the benefit of others.

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.