What Does Living a Purpose-Driven Life Mean?
People often say they are living a “purpose-driven life” when referring to being goal-oriented about a business or personal objective. Living a purpose-driven life, however, is about how we leverage our talent, expertise and passion in service of other people and our planet. The “in service of” phrase is key to a life purpose statement and living a purpose-driven life. Otherwise, what you are talking about is pursuing a goal or dream, which is great, but not the same thing as living a “purpose-driven life.”
To reap the benefits of living a “purpose-driven life,” which extensive research reveals is associated with many positives, including increased engagement, productivity, health, wellness, fulfillment and joy, requires being of service to others.
As a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded three PR & Marketing agencies, the most significant accomplishments of my career were achieved after I articulated and “operationalized” a business purpose for my first PR agency, PT&Co., which was to create “Great work. Great workplace. Great communities that work.” This business purpose helped our agency go from start-up to recognized eight years later as the “#1 Most Creative” and the “#2 Best Workplace” among all PR agencies nationwide.
Many years later, I was forced by an executive coach to “rethink” my purpose in life when I came to her exhausted and so depressed, I could barely get out of bed. After brainstorming a new life purpose for myself, I shared it with my coach: “Choose joy. Be mindful of joy. Share joy with others.” By actively living this life purpose I went on to co-found two larger, award-winning, national PR agencies. I took up ballroom dancing – something I wanted to do since I was eight years old, dreaming of dancing like Ginger Rogers – and wrote a book, Becoming Ginger Rogers, to share lessons learned from ballroom dancing that extend from the ballroom to the board room. I became a director of three, non-profit organizations. And when I retired from my PR career, I started Joyful Planet LLC, a consultancy focused on building purpose-driven individuals and organizations. This year, I launched a 501c3, the Joyful Planet Foundation, to support non-profit, leadership development programs, serving diverse, emerging leaders committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive and joyful planet.
Actively living my “life purpose,” which I’ve been doing now for 23 years, continues to focus and drive me to accomplish what matters most, and in the process unleash greater success, fulfillment, and joy.
Moreover, I believe that having “clarity” about our life purpose is a “competitive” or “strategic advantage” that helps us achieve what is most important in our one very brief and precious life.
My goal is for every NYWICI member to have “clarity” about the impact they seek to make in the world. It’s the reason, I conducted pro bono a “Discover Your Life & Leadership Purpose” workshop for NYWICI members at our Annual Meeting earlier this year. And it’s the reason, I’m now inviting any NYWICI member interested in discovering and actively living their life purpose to reach out to me Patrice@JoyfulPlanet.com to request the My Life Purpose Questionnaire I developed to help people think through the questions that will lead them to their life purpose. If you complete this questionnaire as fully as you can and return it to me, I will help you discover and articulate your life and leadership purpose so you can begin to actively live it.
Here is what someone I helped discover her life and leadership purpose reported back after a year of actively living her purpose:
My Purpose
My purpose is to believe—in people, in possibility, and in the power of transformation. And to build a world where everyone can participate equally in wealth creation, fostering an inclusive and prosperous future for all.
Why Purpose Matters
Having clarity about my life and leadership purpose has been a true anchor. It’s helped me stay focused through uncertainty, setbacks, and career pivots. In rooms where I faced systems not built for me, my purpose reminded me that I am here for more than a job—I am here to shift paradigms and expand access.
How I’m Living My Purpose
Over the last year. I live my purpose through action. I’ve led initiatives that expanded access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs. And I’m now laying the groundwork to launch a fund that invests in diverse founders with breakthrough ideas—so that wealth creation is no longer reserved for the few, but made accessible to the many.
The Results, to Date
Living with purpose has created alignment between who I am and what I do. It’s opened doors I never imagined and connected me with mission-driven leaders across sectors. More importantly, it’s helped me lead others with clarity and compassion—whether mentoring others, guiding policy, or negotiating complex deals that change lives.
Is Purpose a Competitive Advantage?
Absolutely. Purpose is the ultimate differentiator. When you know who you are and why you’re here, you make sharper decisions, inspire trust, and lead with conviction. Purpose helps you rise above distraction, speak truth to power, and move forward even when the path isn’t clear.
To all of you here: Your purpose is not something you find—it’s something you uncover, shape, and live into. And once you do, you won’t just change your own life—you’ll become the spark that changes the lives of others.
