National Mad Hatter Day (10/6/25)

QUOTE:  "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." (Freidrich Nietzsche)

Purpose & Meaning: Strengthening Educator Well-Being

As educators, we juggle countless responsibilities that can easily drain our energy and cloud our sense of direction. Yet research from Dr. Michael Steger and Dr. William Damon reminds us that purpose and meaning aren’t luxuries—they are vital ingredients of a thriving teaching and leadership life.

Dr. Steger defines meaning as the sense that our lives matter, make sense, and are guided by a larger significance.

Dr. Damon defines purpose as a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is both personally meaningful and contributes to the world beyond the self. Together, their work highlights that when we are rooted in purpose and meaning, we don’t just get through our days—we grow through them.

What It Looks Like in Practice

When educators have purpose and meaning:

• They approach challenges with clarity, seeing obstacles as opportunities to serve a bigger mission.
• Daily tasks—lesson planning, grading, meetings—are infused with a sense of contribution, not just obligation.
• Joy, curiosity, and compassion flow more naturally, even in stressful circumstances.
• Students and colleagues feel the ripple effect of their grounded energy.

When purpose and meaning are missing:

• Exhaustion and overwhelm become constant companions, no matter how much rest or time off is taken.
• Routine tasks feel hollow or burdensome, disconnected from a bigger “why.”
• Cynicism or emotional withdrawal may replace hope and engagement.
• Small challenges feel insurmountable because there’s no deeper anchor to draw strength from.

These differences aren’t about personality or willpower—they are about the presence or absence of an internal compass.

Testing Your Own Sense of Purpose & Meaning

You might ask yourself:

1. What larger impact am I aiming for through my work as an educator?
2. Does my daily effort connect back to my core values and the bigger picture of my life?

If the answers come easily and feel energizing, you are likely tapped into a healthy sense of purpose and meaning. If the answers feel foggy, frustrating, or empty, it may be time to intentionally reconnect with them.

A Strategy to Find Purpose and Meaning

Dr. Steger and Dr. Damon both emphasize that purpose and meaning can be cultivated through reflection and practice, not just stumbled upon. Here’s a strategy you can try right away:

Step 1: Reflect. Write down three moments in the past month where you felt most alive, proud, or connected in your role as an educator.

Step 2: Identify. Circle the values those moments reveal—such as growth, equity, creativity, or service.

Step 3: Align. Choose one of tomorrow’s tasks and intentionally link it to one of those values. For example, grading papers becomes an act of fostering growth, not just checking work.

Step 4: Share. Talk about your “why” with a colleague or mentor. Speaking it out loud reinforces its power.

Step 5: Repeat. Make this a weekly ritual. Purpose and meaning grow stronger with regular attention.

When we intentionally seek purpose and meaning, we protect ourselves from burnout and model resilience for our students. The question is not whether we have purpose and meaning—it’s whether we are nurturing them daily.

DAD JOKE:  I ordered a chicken and an egg online.  I'll let you know which comes first.