Purpose is a new word to me. I haven’t thought about it or used it as a guide me in my life. Maybe, when you’re raising kids you don’t have time to focus on the purpose of your life. Now being an “empty nester”, I have the time to reflect on the word purpose. I listened to Mark Zuckerberg’s commencement speech he gave at Harvard last week. He talked a lot about purpose. He challenged the students to find purpose in their lives wherever it took them.

Purpose can be divided into two distinct areas, business and personal. The personal side is easy for me. It always starts and ends with my family. I try to be the best I can be for my kids and my wife. It’s not always easy to wade through all of the many pitfalls and mistakes I have made in my life. It’s still try to strive to be that kind of dad and husband.

The purpose of getting up in the morning and going to work is a harder one to decipher. Is it to just make money? Or is it to make the world a better place? Is it to give back to people who aren’t as fortunate as you or is it to be the most successful you can be in your career? I don’t think there is one answer and who I am to judge what the right answer is anyway? For each of us finding purpose in one’s career is vital to one’s overall happiness. What’s your purpose?