Finding Meaning Is Your Greatest Gain: Embracing Life Purpose and Passion

Life purpose and passion shape not only how we live but how we measure the true wealth of our years. What if you had only 73.4 years to live? What if you’ve already spent more than 20 years in school, and the final 10–15 years might come with less energy and health than you have today?

How, then, would you choose to spend the active years of your life?

It’s a question that invites more than just logic—it stirs the heart.

According to the World Population Review (2023), the global average life expectancy is 73.4 years. Women live slightly longer (76.0 years) than men (70.8 years). And when we break it down, nearly 40–50% of this lifespan—35 to 38 years—is spent working.

But here’s the surprising part: Most people spend those years in jobs they are not passionate about. Why? Because life happens.

💔 The Real Reasons Behind the Disconnect

1. Survival Over Self-Fulfilment

For many, passion takes a back seat to practicality. Financial necessity often drives people into careers out of need, not love. When food, rent, and medical care are on the line, the heart has little room to speak. A 2020 Gallup report revealed that over 60% of global workers take jobs for financial stability, not passion.

2. The Guidance We Never Got

In many parts of the world, especially in developing countries, students graduate into adulthood without ever having a mentor ask: “What do you really want to do?”

The McKinsey “Education to Employment” report (2021) found that lack of career counselling leaves young people chasing what’s available—not what’s meaningful.

3. The Weight of Expectations

In cultures rooted in collectivism, family influence often dictates career choices.“Be a doctor.” “Study law.” “That’s where the money is.”Even when the soul leans toward artistry or advocacy, many feel the need to please, choosing prestige over passion.

4. The Fear of the Unknown

Following one's passion often means uncertainty—and uncertainty can be scary. A 2018 Harvard Business Review article explained that fear of failure is one of the biggest blockers to career shifts. It’s easier to stay in a stable job than to risk starting a business, writing a book, or serving in remote communities.

⚖️ When Life Doesn’t Match the Degree

Let’s face it—degrees don’t always match job offers. A journalism graduate becomes a bank teller. A trained scientist works in retail. That’s not because dreams were small—it’s because the labor market and education system don’t always speak the same language.

🌍 And Then There Are Barriers

For some, passion isn't enough. Gender inequality, class bias, racial discrimination, and disability limit access. Talented women in tech are underrepresented not because they lack interest, but because the doors are harder to open.

🧠 When You Don’t Believe in Yourself

Another silent thief of dreams? Low self-efficacy. Some people don’t chase passion because they don’t believe they’re good enough, or don’t even know what they’re good at. Research from Stanford’s Mindset & Motivation Lab shows passion is developed, not discovered overnight. But when self-doubt speaks louder than curiosity, the journey never begins.

🧒🏾 A Story From the Field

I remember visiting a remote community in Atwima Mponua in Ghana’s Ashanti region. I asked a class of learners, “What would you like to be when you grow up?”

Most said nurse or teacher. One young boy proudly said, “Doctor.”So I asked, “What does a doctor do?” He looked blank. He didn’t know.

That moment broke me. It showed how dreams are often just recycled words—not rooted in exposure or understanding.

If we don’t nurture children’s curiosity, if schools, parents, and communities don’t create space to explore, then we raise generations that work to survive, not to thrive.

🛤️ Life’s Unexpected Detours

Sometimes, life throws us off course—the death of a parent, a financial crisis, a need to “just find a job.”

Detours like these often become permanent. We forget what we once dreamed.

And even when we do follow passion, it’s easy to get discouraged. Because we think passion means ease, joy, and fireworks every day. But the real purpose includes sweat, tears, and tough decisions.

When the going gets tough, people may believe they’ve chosen the wrong path, rather than understanding that passion requires perseverance. Although this may seem to be the least of the reasons, this is what inspired me to write about this article.

I was deeply moved by the film Beyond the Blackboard, based on the real-life story of Stacey Bess, a 24-year-old teacher who transformed a nameless “school” within a shelter home into an actual school for homeless children.

Stacey Bess, with the support of her husband, used her passion to develop a truth that characterizes resilience, sacrifice, love, and persistence. She leaned into her passion and developed an informal structure that impacted the lives of not only the homeless children but also their parents, and this influenced even policies. Through her singular passion for choosing to be a teacher, she influenced policy frameworks by highlighting the need for equitable resource allocation and teacher support in under-resourced schools, particularly those serving marginalized populations. With nothing but passion and the unwavering support of her husband, she created structure, community, and hope—where others saw brokenness.

Stacey Bess might not have invented new technology, but her work created a priceless influence.

🗣️ Find Your Meaning, Live Your Truth

At GenderToday, we don’t just share information—we open conversations.

We want you to find your truth.

To own your story.

To redefine success—not just as achievement, but as alignment with your deeper purpose.

Because in the end, finding meaning is your greatest gain.

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