Written by Vanessa Patricia Oh

Have you ever felt stuck at work, wondering if what you’re doing truly matters? In these moments, what you’re likely missing is exactly what this blog is about – purpose.

To truly move forward, whether in life or work, you need a sense of direction. Purpose is what fuels motivation, and research backs this up. According to a study by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, 89% of leaders surveyed said a strong sense of collective purpose drives employee satisfaction and a McKinsey survey revealed that purpose-driven work makes employees more likely to stay at the company. 

Why is purpose important for delivering your best work?

Having a purpose is like giving your psychological well-being a turbo boost. Here’s how it shows up:

• Purpose keeps you moving forward by giving you something to strive for
• Purpose increases life satisfaction while reducing frustration
• Purpose benefits physical health because a high sense of purpose promotes healthy ageing

“Knowing my purpose means giving up is not an option.” – Lucia, Strategic Director

Purpose in action: Becoming employee-owned

Our decision to become employee-owned in 2023 went hand in hand with a declaration: all team members are not simply a part of Life Size, they are Life Size. That’s why understanding each individual’s purpose is so important to us. 

At Life Size, we make purpose tangible through purpose statements—simple yet powerful summaries that capture the ‘why’ behind our work. It helps us push our business growth forward while contributing to our employees’ personal growth and satisfaction.

“I always keep it in the back of my mind. When I feel very good and successful at work, these are almost always the moments when my purpose statement is fulfilled.” – Helene, Communications Manager

Take time to find what feels right for you

During our Annual Adventure last year, we reflected on our motivation, aspirations and values through collective brainstorming, guided meditation and answering deep questions. In the end, we were all able to get a better sense of our purpose and create a personal purpose statement to underpin our day-to-day work. 

For some of us, the purpose felt clear from the start. For others, it’s taken more time to uncover – and that’s okay! Purpose isn’t static; it evolves with us. Even if someone starts with a purpose statement, it can (and likely will) change throughout their journey at Life Size. And that’s exactly how it should be.

“I had been working on my purpose statement for years – during 121s, group workshops and self-reflection – before I finally landed on it. I can’t put my finger on why I arrived on it when I did. I think it was a combination of the Life Size team’s input during the in-person session and the hours of reflection I had already dedicated to the topic.” – Martha, Content Executive

Want to learn more about how we integrate purpose into our work? Let’s chat – reach out via email or LinkedIn!