From Climbing the Ladder to Living with Purpose
For many years after stepping into corporate America, I was laser-focused on climbing the ladder. I’ve always been driven by growth since I was a young boy. This desire was not just professional advancement but a deep desire to lead, make an impact, and achieve something meaningful. In that sense, my ambition was healthy and even admirable.
But if I’m being sincere, another force was at play; one rooted not in inspiration, but in fear.
I carried a constant, heavy fear of not being able to provide for my family. As a one-income household (a choice I have never regretted), the weight of that responsibility was something I felt every single day. Also, my self-worth became intertwined with my performance at work. If I succeeded, I felt valuable; if I stumbled, I questioned my worth. It was an exhausting cycle that consumed more of me than I care to admit.
Looking back, I wish I could say that serving others and giving back were at the forefront during those first 25 years of my career. The truth is, they weren’t. Deep down, I always knew that I had been blessed by people who believed in me like mentors, leaders, and friends who poured into my life. I needed to pay it forward. But somewhere along the way, ambition and fear became louder voices than gratitude and service.
I don’t think I was alone in this. In fact, I rarely heard my colleagues talk about giving back, sharing our gifts, or using our success to create impact. It wasn’t part of the conversation in most business meetings. We mainly talked about performance, not meaning.
Those 25 years did bring me some elements of joy. I’m deeply grateful for what my career allowed me to do, like supporting my family and giving my daughters opportunities that still make them feel grateful today. But even amid the achievements, something essential was missing. My purpose was, in many ways, self-focused. It revolved around success, security, and stability—all important things, but not the whole picture.
I’ve learned that true purpose is more expansive. It’s about combining personal fulfillment with a genuine commitment to lift others. It’s about using our lives to touch other lives, to create ripples that reach far beyond our immediate circle. I've also learned that living with that kind of purpose isn’t easy. It requires intention, what I now call “a verb” mindset. Because purpose isn’t a statement we write, it’s an action we execute. It’s showing up when it’s inconvenient. It’s making time to serve even when life feels too full. It’s choosing to love, to give, and to build community; again and again.
So, what changed for me?
That’s a story I’ll continue to share in the coming weeks and months. A story of transformation, gratitude, and rediscovery. Beautiful moments and unexpected circumstances have brought me to a more present, grounded life where serving others is no longer a concept but a daily practice.
I chose for this season of my life to be built around four guiding principles: gratitude, love, community, and health ( not in any particular order, but all deeply connected).
I’m far from perfect in living them out, but I’m fully committed to the journey. Because living with purpose (real, action-driven purpose) isn’t a destination; it’s a daily choice.
JC
Husband | Father | Founder at myTOD