How to Find Purpose in Your Life Without the Pressure or Perfectionism

"Purpose needs to be actionable, aligned, and authentic. It's not about lofty ideas; it's about how you live on a Wednesday afternoon."Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to find your purpose? You're not alone.In this episode, I sit down with Nell Derick Debevoise—speaker, coach, and best-selling author—to explore how to find purpose in your life without the crushing weight of perfectionism or unrealistic expectations. Whether you're navigating a career transition, feeling directionless, or burnt out from trying to do it all, Nell offers practical frameworks to help you discover meaning in what you're already doing.Nell's approach is refreshingly different: she "depressurizes" purpose, making it about small, intentional actions rather than grand gestures or saving the world single-handedly. Through her work with everyone from MBA students to senior executives to parents re-entering the workforce, she's developed a universal framework that works for anyone, anywhere.What You'll Learn:The 3 A's of Purpose – Why purpose must be Actionable (what you do daily), Aligned (to your actual position and resources), and Authentic (makes you feel alive)Stop "Shoulding" Yourself – How to recognize when you're living by orthodoxy or external pressure instead of authentic valuesYou're Already Contributing – A powerful exercise to recognize the positive impact you're already making in six key life areasThe Me/We/World Framework – How to map your contributions across self-care, relationships, work, community, and moneyBurnout Prevention – Why burnout often comes from trying to fix problems outside your sphere, and how to stay in your own "patch"Purpose vs. Contribution – Understanding the difference and why focusing on concrete contributions is more sustainable than chasing abstract purposeGetting Present – Nell's three-step process: get mindful, observe your life, and feel what brings you alive (no meditation required)Values Refinement – How to move beyond generic values like "honesty" to actionable statements that guide daily decisionsNell shares her own journey from nonprofit CEO to business school to purposeful leadership work, her recent car accident that crystallized what really matters, and why she believes everyone has "bounty" right now—even when life feels hard. Her message is clear: you don't need to have it all figured out, be perfect, or change the world. You just need to show up authentically in your own life.This conversation is for anyone who feels the weight of "finding their purpose," struggles with perfectionism, or wonders if they're doing enough. Spoiler: you probably already are.Guest Bio:Nell Derick Debevoise is a speaker, coach, and international best-selling author dedicated to helping individuals and organizations align purpose with action. As founder of the Purposeful Growth Institute and partner at PurposeFused, she brings practical wisdom to purposeful leadership. With experience spanning four continents, a Harvard degree, and decades working with diverse teams, Nell's frameworks make purpose accessible, grounded, and real.⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellderickdebevoise/⁠The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Join our community: ⁠https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/