What Matters In Your Work?

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust,
swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity.”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

We are solitary travelers, yes—but not meant to be alone.

"What matters in your work?" is the third of three questions from the What Matters Reflection Exercise that I’ve been exploring over the past two weeks. The first two—What matters in your life? and What matters in your relationships?—opened up big conversations. This final question brings us into the realm of contribution, energy, and purpose.

What matters to me in my work is creating the kinds of spaces where we can come together. Where we can pause, connect, learn, and grow with one another. Where we remember we’re not the only ones trying to make meaning of it all.

That’s the work I care most about. Holding space for people to reflect individually and as part of a group. Making room for insights and new solutions. Have you ever had one of those quiet, profound “blue moments”—where something true comes into view and shifts an idea, a consideration, a perspective, even if just a little. It feels like that vast cosmic sky and joy I see in the group in the photo above.

It's a magical feeling. 

And I’ve come to realize that work doesn’t just mean a title or what’s printed on a business card. Sometimes we think “work” only counts if it earns a paycheck. But I believe work is bigger than that. It’s where we offer our energy. Where we build something. Where we choose to care.

Work can be your profession or your purpose. It can be the time you spend mentoring someone, preparing a home-cooked meal, or advocating for something you believe in. It might not even be something anyone else sees—but you know the effort it takes.

You might not love your job, but maybe it gives you the resources to live your values elsewhere. You might not be in your dream role (yet), but you show up with heart and integrity—and that matters.

So with this question, What matters in your work?, I’m asking:

• Where do you come alive?
• Where are you contributing something real?
• Where are you walking with others on this journey of life?

The work we each do—seen or unseen—can help make this road more meaningful, more connected, and more worth traveling.

If you’d like to reflect on what this means for you. Download the "What Matters" Reflection Exercise to use as a grounding tool to help you tune in and explore.

And if something stirs, I’d love to hear what you discover.