When Life Is a Lot, Purpose Is Enough

A reflection for leaders finding clarity, grace, and grit in uncertain times.

There has been so much happening in the world—and in my own life.

Some days, it feels like the headlines are designed to wear us down. We see stories about mass deportations, senseless violence, mental health crises, disappearing social programs, and the kind of political dysfunction that makes you wonder if anyone is truly leading with empathy. On a personal level, life has been just as noisy. The weight of everything, both global and personal, has made it difficult to keep my footing. 

But here’s what I know: when everything feels loud and heavy, it’s usually a signal that I need to return to my why.

I didn’t start my business because it was easy or convenient. I started it because I believed in something deeper. I saw the gaps—how so many organizations were collapsing under the weight of broken systems, noncompliance, unclear processes, and overlooked people. I knew the way we work and lead could be different. Better. More humane. More just.

So I poured into myself. I self-funded courses, earned certifications, and committed to learning. I built everything from the ground up—alone, at first—but with a vision that kept me company. I wasn’t just chasing a business. I was being intentional. I wanted to use my expertise to support people and culture programs, make compliance more accessible and less punitive, and help mission-driven organizations actually live their values.

Along the way, I showed up—in my community, in coalitions, and most recently, in a business accelerator program that I will officially graduate from on June 21. That milestone is more than a date. It is a marker of perseverance, because, as my good sis Amber Cabral recently said, “life is doing a lot.” And truly, it is.

Getting back to my why is how I move forward in the fog. It reminds me that my professional path—full of trials and triumphs—has equipped me to do work that matters. Work that heals. Work that helps. Even on days when I feel tired or unsure, that is what anchors me.

And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.

Amber—TED speaker, strategist, author, and host of the Humaning Well podcast—recently released Episode 19, titled Does This Even Make Sense? Yes, It Does. In that episode, she opens up about a personal moment of self-doubt. That kind of honesty is powerful. It reminds us that we don’t need to have it all figured out to be aligned. Sometimes, we just need to pause and reconnect to the reason we started.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or simply stuck in the thick of it, pause. Breathe. Revisit your why. The world may not change overnight—but your clarity of purpose?

That’s renewable. That’s sacred.

And it’s always worth returning to.

For those leading through uncertain times—especially when visibility comes with scrutiny—your “why” is more than a motivational phrase. It’s your anchor. It’s your compass. It’s what steadies you when outcomes feel unpredictable and expectations feel heavy.

As you move through the week, here are a few simple, grounding practices to help you lead with intention:

Takeaways for the Week:

• Reaffirm your purpose daily. Start each morning by connecting with what you believe in—not just what you have to do.

• Respond, don’t react. When faced with resistance or judgment, take a breath and lead from your values, not just your emotions.

• Choose progress over perfection. Your why isn’t about getting it all right—it’s about staying aligned, even when things go sideways.

• Ask better questions. What impact do I want to have? What’s the most human-centered decision I can make today?

• Hold space—for yourself and others. Purpose-driven leadership leaves room for imperfection, compassion, and growth.

Your role as a leader isn’t just to hold it all together—it’s to keep the purpose alive when others forget it’s even there. And in doing so, you light the path back for everyone else.

Keep leading.

Keep listening.

Keep returning to your why.