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The Dangerous Myth of “Find Your Why”

114 5
23.02.2026

The pursuit of our "why" has led many to feel unsatisfied, stressed out, and exhausted by their job.

An entire cottage industry has been built around promoting the importance of finding one's "why".

In reality, the greatest meaning people derive from their jobs comes as a byproduct of doing their best work.

Purpose has become one of the most celebrated ideas in modern leadership.

Clearly, finding purpose in our actions is a powerful psychological concept. It can anchor resilience, guide decision-making, and inspire us to go the extra mile when we would rather take a break. But I fear that we have inadvertently taken it way too far.

Advocates, like Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker[i] suggest we must achieve spiritual self-actualization through our work, or we are complete failures.

In reality, the pursuit........

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