When Purpose Feels Distant: How to Bring Meaning Back Into the Day-to-Day
In mission-driven spaces like healthcare, education, nonprofits we talk a lot about purpose. We write it into our values statements. We reference it in meetings. We name it in onboarding sessions.
But here’s the thing: purpose doesn’t always show up when the work gets hard.
When the inbox is full, when there are back-to-back patients, when systems are stretched thin, it’s easy for purpose to start feeling like a nice idea, something abstract and far away from the pressure of the moment.
And yet, it’s in those moments that we need it the most.
Purpose shouldn’t be something we only revisit during orientation or when the CEO gives a speech. It should be woven into how we talk, how we lead, and how we take care of each other. The most sustainable kind of motivation is intrinsic, not driven by productivity metrics or approval, but by a sense of connection and meaning.
So how do we bring it back when it starts to feel distant?
Here are a few quiet, powerful ways:
Share real stories.
Let people hear the impact of their work—through a patient, a family, a colleague, or a community member. Purpose becomes real when it has a face and a name.
Ask “why” more often.
Not just the big, philosophical why… but your why. Why do you care? Why do you stay? Why does this role matter to you right now, in this season?
Create space for reflection.
Even 5 minutes in a meeting to ask “what made you feel proud this week?” can shift the energy and reconnect people to what matters most.
Lead with values, not just outcomes.
Recognition should go beyond productivity. Celebrate decisions made with integrity, care, and humanity—even when they don’t show up on a spreadsheet.
The truth is, most people want to do meaningful work. But meaning doesn’t sustain itself. It has to be nurtured, reflected, and most importantly felt.
At KithWell, we believe that purpose isn’t something you declare. It’s something you practice. In the quiet moments. In the hard ones. And in the way we choose to show up for one another, over and over again.
What helps you stay connected to your purpose? We’d love to hear your reflections, drop them in the comments or send us a message to keep the conversation going.
