Purpose and Values as Anchors
Not surprisingly, 2026 has brought an uptick in clients and friends seeking career advice. Ongoing attrition in the labor market, combined with geopolitical uncertainty, is a clear barometer of the anxiety many people are carrying into the new year.
Across every workplace demographic, I’m hearing a familiar refrain.
People in their late 20s are questioning their first job choices.
Mid-career professionals are disillusioned with their trajectory.
Those nearing retirement are wondering what’s next.
And those who’ve already taken the leap are often surprised to find themselves feeling at sixes and sevens—without the structure, sense of purpose, and collegiality that work once provided.
Regardless of age or experience, my coaching consistently returns to two fundamental pillars:
Purpose is your life direction—the goals and aspirations that give shape to where you’re headed.
Values are what you choose to stand for—how you want to show up in the world and the kind of person you aspire to be.
I come back to these again and again because they are the foundation from which everything else flows. They help us feel that what we’re doing counts. They give us direction, energy, and inspiration—especially when the ground beneath us feels shaky.
When people feel at loose ends, it’s rarely because they’ve lost their purpose. More often, it’s because they’ve drifted away from their values.
That drift is usually subtle. Out of fear, we cling to a lifestyle, a title, a salary, or a sense of prestige. We stay locked into routines that once worked—even when they no longer serve us.
Over time, the distance between how someone is living and what they truly value creates distress. The effects show up gradually: unease, lethargy, anxiety, irritability, diminished joy, and difficulty making decisions.
That discomfort is information worth listening to.
Our values become indispensable when we’re faced with tough choices—especially when there are multiple options or competing contingencies. They clarify the trade-offs we’re willing to accept, and the ones we’re no longer willing to make. They nudge us to tell the truth about how we’re spending our time and energy.
And here’s the uncomfortable but honest truth: living your values doesn’t guarantee happiness. Or ease. What it does offer is the steadiness that comes from knowing your life is aligned with what matters to you. And while that won’t spare you discomfort, not living your values will almost certainly make you miserable.
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