The year was 2008, the economy was beginning to unravel, and my colleagues and I had been called to a meeting on the eighth floor at Dayton’s headquarters in Minneapolis — the same place I’d visited for years to see the company’s famous holiday display. But this time, the mood was anything but festive.
After a series of corporate acquisitions, Target (which was founded as Dayton’s discount retail division) had sold Dayton’s to May Department Stores, which was subsequently acquired by Macy’s. And now, our division was closing.
It was my first corporate layoff, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.
My wife, Amie, and I had been married just over two years. I was on track to graduate with my MBA in May, and our first child was due that same month. With so much happening in our lives, the prospect of losing my job was overwhelming.
At the time, I saw the layoff as an obstacle. Looking back, I realize it was also the beginning of something I couldn’t have anticipated: the journey toward discovering my purpose.
Finding Purpose in Uncertainty
Before that point, I’d never given much thought to my purpose beyond “earn a living” (my “work purpose”). I certainly never imagined losing my job would help me find it.
The day after the announcement, our CFO gathered us in a room, tears in his eyes. It was an emotional time for everyone. Because while I’d been with Dayton’s for about four years, many of my colleagues had worked there for decades. For some, this would be their first experience looking for a job in the age of computers and the Internet.
But between sniffles, we learned about a revolutionary new platform that day: LinkedIn. That was the moment I started to understand the power of having a network.
We all started building profiles, reconnecting with former colleagues, and figuring out how to navigate this new world of online networking. I reached out to people I’d worked with who had moved on to other companies, including some who’d landed at the “mothership” (Target headquarters). And before long, I found myself helping others do the same.
We worked together on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and interview skills. I helped connect colleagues with people in my network and encouraged them to tap into their own connections.
Keep in mind, I was only four years into my career. I didn’t have some vast professional network or decades of experience to draw from. But I knew people, and I could help other people connect with them.
Somewhere in the middle of all that uncertainty, I discovered something about myself: I genuinely enjoyed connecting people, helping them find opportunities, and watching them succeed.
And I realized that being a connector wasn’t just something I did. It was part of who I was.
Different Roles, a Common Purpose
That experience changed the way I thought about my career. I began to see that regardless of my job title or responsibilities, I had opportunities to connect people, help them grow, and make a difference.
And I’d been doing it all along. In my retail days working at Dayton’s and then later at Target HQ, my purpose had been helping my colleagues and team members grow, while supporting a company that valued and supported the community (Target has certainly faced its share of challenges over the years, but I still believe there’s a genuine desire at its heart to help people grow).
When I moved on to Allina Health, it was even easier to tap into a sense of purpose, thanks to the amazing work healthcare organizations do for patients and communities every day.
Now, as I lead VitalWay Digital, I’ve had the opportunity to do something a little different: build a company’s purpose, not just find my own within one. And at VitalWay, our purpose is simple: “Help good people, doing good work, do more good.”
For me, that means helping my team grow and develop as people, learning from them and growing myself, and helping our clients succeed so they can do more for their teams and customers.
Different jobs, different companies, different stages of life. But the common thread has always been helping people connect, grow, and succeed.
And that purpose doesn’t end when the workday does. I want to be a great husband, father, son, brother, friend, parishioner, nephew, uncle, and more. Those roles are all part of who I am, and they all give me opportunities to help and connect with others.
Purpose Is a Choice
Purpose isn’t reserved for people with impressive job titles, big responsibilities, or careers that are traditionally considered meaningful. It’s something we all have the opportunity to find in the work we do and how we treat others.
Think about the people you might encounter on an ordinary day:
The barista at your local coffee shop might be the first person you interact with outside your home in the morning. A friendly smile, a little conversation, and a great cup of coffee can help start your day on the right foot. (Not to mention that much-needed caffeine boost.)
The janitor at your office does more than keep the place looking nice. They help create a clean, healthy environment where everyone can do their jobs. In many ways, they set the stage for a great workday.
The police officer in your community helps keep people safe and holds us accountable for doing our part (even if it’s hard to appreciate when you’re getting pulled over for speeding).
Your child’s teacher is doing much more than teaching reading, writing, and math. They’re helping shape the next generation.
Every one of these people has the opportunity to make a difference through their work. And every one of them has a purpose that goes beyond the tasks in their job description.
So, what about you?
Can you articulate your purpose? When was the last time you thought about it? We all have multiple purposes in life, and many overlap across work, family, and community. What benefit are you bringing to others? How are you helping the people around you grow, succeed, or simply have a better day?
I believe purpose can be a huge motivator, both personally and professionally. And I also believe it’s a choice. You don’t have to wait for the perfect job or some life-changing moment to find it. Sometimes, you just have to look a little deeper to recognize the purpose that’s already there.
And once you recognize it, you might be surprised by how many opportunities you have to put it into practice.