Values, Passion, or Purpose — Which Should Guide Your Career? (2024)

Summary.

When it comes to developing your career, you’ve heard the advice: Define your values, follow your passion, and find your purpose. But what do these concepts actually mean, and how can you use them to move forward in your career?

1. Values are the foundation for your passion and purpose — they define what is important to you and thereby can influence the passions you pursue and the purpose you seek to fulfill. Values are not just abstract concepts — they should manifest in your actions, decisions, and behaviors. When your values are in alignment with your actions, you will experience greater satisfaction and authenticity.
2. Passion is what drives you to explore and engage in activities aligned with your values. Fundamental to passion is the strong and intense emotional drive that fuels its pursuit. It’s the deep, fervent interest and enjoyment you derive from a particular activity, cause, or field. Knowing what you’re passionate about can guide you in many different ways — from helping you find a career you’ll love, to deciding on what moves to make on your path, to balancing your work and life.
3. Purpose is a broader and more profound concept that encapsulates how your values and passions come together. It is your deeper reason for existence — it’s a sense of meaning and direction in life that goes beyond personal enjoyment or fulfillment. Like your values, your purpose can help guide your actions and serve as a constant reference point for decision-making in your career. It can be a helpful guiding post for long-term planning, helping you understand your career in the context of what you ultimately want to achieve or the legacy you want to leave behind.