Connecting to Purpose

Connecting to Purpose: Spiritual Selfcare to Prevent Burnout

One way to protect ourselves from burnout is by connecting to a higher purpose. You don’t have to be religious. We can connect purpose by living in a way that feels true to ourselves, making hard times easier to handle. Let’s explore how connecting to a higher purpose can help prevent burnout by finding meaning in life and aligning our actions with our values.

Finding Meaning and Purpose in Work and Life

This is where companies get engagement wrong.  It’s not about being together in an office, or even more pay (though that is helpful for life). Many people want more than just a paycheck—they want work that feels meaningful. People want jobs that align with their values, where they feel like they’re making a difference. They trade time with their families and loved ones and want it to be for something meaningful. They look for a “purpose-driven” career.

Connecting to a sense of purpose can bring clarity to your work. Work that aligns with personal values becomes more fulfilling, as we feel we’re doing something that reflects who we are and what we believe in. For example, one person might feel fulfilled by helping others or making a positive impact in the world. Another person might find joy in creating art, solving problems, or helping society in some way. Asking questions like “What’s meaningful to me?” and “How can I help others through my work?” can help us find purpose in our jobs and connect with something larger.

In my corporate career, I loved helping employees see their work as it supported something bigger.  Moving boxes in a warehouse can seem like thankless work, but if you consider that the box you pack or ship could be the baby formula a new mom needs because she is struggling to breast feed, or the birthday gift a young boy is sending to his grandfather who is battling cancer, you can see your part in a much bigger story.  Garbage collectors keep our streets clean, preventing disease and pest infestations.  Landscapers help us take pride in taking care of our homes.  House cleaners help families live in a less stressed environment by keeping their homes clean and organized. 

The famous psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, who survived years in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, believed that the most important thing in life is finding meaning. He noticed that people were able to endure horrific times when they felt they had a purpose. With purpose, even small tasks can feel important, as we see how our actions connect to something bigger, keeping us grounded and resilient during even the most challenging times.

Practical Steps to Find Purpose

Finding purpose isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Here are a few ways to start:

1.        Think about what you are naturally good at and enjoy.  You were born with an inner compass that tells you what you like and don’t like. You will never find purpose in doing things you hate. Example: I enjoy helping people solve problems with hard issues. It made me a good HR leader.  If I had to bake cakes as a profession, I’d be miserable.

2.        Reflect on Your Core Values. Think about what’s most important to you. It could be growth, creativity, or helping others. Knowing your values gives clues about what brings meaning to your life. You can choose which values matter most and prioritize your actions at any time. For example: last year I decided that one of my values is faith (belief in my own ability to learn, grow, and be resilient). I decided to start my own business believing in myself rather than fearing all that could go wrong.  Here are a list of the top 100 human values.  Circle the ones that resonate, then pick the your top 5 and try to put them in order. You can change it any time, no pressure.

3.        Recall activities that have brought you success. What came easy?  What do people tell you that you do well?  Start small, purpose isn’t just in big things—it can also come from small, meaningful actions in daily life.  If you are stuck, ask five people in your life what they think you are better at than most. Ask them what they come to you most often for.  These will give you clues.

 Aligning Actions and Words with Values and Beliefs

Living in a way that aligns with our values makes us feel more at peace. When our actions reflect our beliefs, we feel whole and experience less inner conflict. People who live in alignment often have stronger relationships, better mental health, and greater satisfaction in life.

On the other hand, when there’s a gap between our values and actions, it can cause stress and even burn out. Acting against our beliefs creates inner tension, which can eventually wear us down. If you are working in a job, even finding success, but that moves away from your values, it can make you feel like an imposter.  I experienced this early in my career. I initially wanted to work for the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) but landed my first paying job in the chemical industry.  It was a good paying position, but after several years, despite success, I knew I had to leave.  Making choices that honor our values, even in small ways, helps us feel more balanced and content.

Techniques for Aligning Actions with Values

1. Define Your Core Values. Start by identifying your key values, like honesty, kindness, or growth. You can write them down and think about how they guide your decisions.

2. Create a Personal Mission Statement. Writing a mission statement can be a guide. For example, “My mission is to live with compassion and integrity.” This simple statement helps keep us on track and reminds us of what’s important.

3. Practice Mindful Decision-Making. Before making a choice, pause and ask yourself, “Does this move me towards or away from my values?” This helps prevent decisions that don’t feel right.

4. Communicate with Integrity. When speaking with others, try to make sure your words match your values. This might mean setting boundaries and being honest about your needs. Taking a moment to reflect before speaking can help ensure that your words reflect who you are.  If one of your values is “integrity” and a coworker asks you to cover up a mistake, you can respond with “integrity is important to me. I won’t lie for you. We can either bring up the mistake and fix it together or I will have to come forward.”  You’ll be shocked how well you sleep when you are in alignment with your values. 

5. Practice Self-Reflection. Journaling or meditating helps us see where we’re aligned and where we might need adjustment. We all experience moments where, in retrospect, we would have done something different. By taking time each week to think about your actions and intentions, you can correct where you moved away from your values so you can make better choices next time.

6. Set Boundaries That Reflect Your Beliefs. Boundaries protect us from outside pressures that may push us away from our values. Setting limits, like making time for family or personal growth, helps keep our lives in alignment with our beliefs.  Just like you wouldn’t steal money from a client, don’t steal time from your loved ones.  When your values are clear, so are your priorities.

Spiritual self-care means connecting with a higher purpose and letting it guide us toward living in alignment with our values. When we make choices that reflect our beliefs, we feel more like ourselves, and this authenticity can protect us from burnout. Living in alignment is about finding a balance between who we are and who we want to be. By connecting to our purpose, and staying true to our values, we build a sense of peace and resilience that can carry us through life’s challenges. Spiritual self-care isn’t just about avoiding burnout, it’s about creating a life filled with meaning and connection.