Rob Jefferies

A common theme in my coaching sessions with clients—and one I’ve personally struggled with over the years—is the elusive goal of “finding my purpose.”

This struggle to find one’s purpose often begins when young professionals enter the workforce and feel disillusioned by the day-to-day reality of work, which often contrasts sharply with the curated views presented by social media influencers. This challenge often resurfaces later in life as the so-called “midlife crisis,” when we start to wonder if there’s more to life.

Many of us believe that if we were just smart enough or worked hard enough, we could uncover our purpose, like finding a set of lost keys. We also tend to think that if we haven’t found our purpose, we have somehow failed.

I suggest a different way to look at purpose. Instead of seeing it as something fixed that must be discovered, think of it as something that evolves over time, gradually building up layer by layer. I call this Purpose Stacking.

In the upcoming series of posts, I will explore the concept of Purpose Stacking. I’ll share concrete tools, methods, and mindsets to help you discover your purpose and integrate it into your everyday life.

The first step on our Purpose Stacking journey will be to “get a good firm grasp of the obvious!”

When receiving advice, understanding its context is crucial. Advice that fits perfectly in one scenario may not apply in another, and the difference often comes down to the stakes and environment in which it is given.

Consider the words of Chris Kraft, a key figure in NASA’s early space program, who once said, “If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything.”(1) As NASA’s first flight director, Kraft operated in an environment where failure was not an option. During the 1960s space race, even a small mistake could result in disaster. With lives on the line and no room for error, careful deliberation was essential. In this context, doing nothing until the right course of action was clear was often the wisest choice.

Contrast this with the advice from Dr. Kenneth Chafin, a former pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Dr. Chafin often counseled those facing difficult times with, “If you don’t know what to do, do what you know, until you know what to do.” His advice was aimed at people feeling lost or uncertain about their next steps. In these moments of indecision, he encouraged them to lean on their existing knowledge, training, or spiritual foundation to move forward. The goal was to break through the paralysis of uncertainty by focusing on familiar actions until clarity emerged.

While Kraft’s advice emphasizes caution in high-stakes situations, Dr. Chafin’s encourages action, grounded in familiar routines, in lower-stakes or more personal contexts. Both pieces of advice are valid within their own settings. In a high-stakes environment like NASA’s, the cost of a wrong move can be catastrophic, making restraint crucial. In everyday life, however, taking small, known steps can help build momentum and provide direction when the path ahead is unclear.

Understand the context behind any advice you receive. Ask yourself: What situation does this advice come from, and how does it relate to my current circumstances? By discerning the context, you can better navigate your decisions and choose the path that suits you best.

(1): From the book “Apollo” by Catherine Bly Cox, Charles Murray

Many people I coach often express concerns about not having enough time and the consistent feeling of overwhelm. They face a barrage of emails, distracting messages, and back-to-back meetings, leaving little room for deep thinking. Instead of focusing on important objectives, they constantly react to their inbox and calendar.

According to Adam Grant, an expert from The Wharton School of Business, this situation is known as “Time Confetti.” It scatters bits of time everywhere, making it challenging to concentrate and engage in meaningful work. While it may seem like you have no control over your schedule and Time Confetti is unavoidable, there is a way to change that. By carefully planning and managing your calendar proactively, you can take charge of your time.

TAKE ACTION: Starting with the first week of next month, create recurring meetings on your calendar to block out time for focused work and finding your flow. Schedule multiple 90-minute blocks each week and make sure you protect those periods from interruptions.

Here are three things to consider as you implement this approach:

1. Find Your Prime Time: Think about when you feel most energized and alert during the day. Identify those moments when you can concentrate and be most productive.

2. Collaborate Smartly: Take into account how you work with others. Do you often collaborate with people in different time zones or regions? If so, consider scheduling your deep work sessions to align with those collaborations. For example, you could plan early morning sessions for global teams or adjust your schedule to accommodate teams or customers on the West Coast.

3. Tailor Your Plan: Consider the nature of the work you need to do during your deep work sessions. Are you creating sales presentations, writing product documentation, analyzing data, or simply responding to emails? Each type of task may require different times of day, access to information, or collaboration with colleagues.

By intentionally setting aside dedicated time for focused work that suits your strengths and aligns with your collaborations, you can create an environment that enhances productivity and innovation. With proactive calendar management, you can regain control of your schedule and reduce the impact of Time Confetti on your professional life.

More about Time Confetti Adam Grant: How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED Talk