Why 70% of Workers Feel Lost (And How to Find Your Way)

If you’re reading this, chances are you feel something’s missing from your work life. Maybe you can’t put your finger on exactly what it is, but you know it’s there—that nagging feeling that you’re meant for something more meaningful.

You’re not alone. In fact, you’re part of a massive group of people experiencing what we call “the purpose gap.”

The Shocking Truth About Purpose at Work

Here’s what recent research tells us: 70% of employees say their sense of purpose is defined by their work, according to McKinsey & Company. That means many of us look to our jobs to give our lives meaning and direction.

But here’s the problem: only 15% of frontline managers and frontline employees said that they are living their purpose at work. Think about that for a moment. Seven out of ten people depend on work for purpose, but only one or two out of ten feel they’re living that purpose daily.

Meanwhile, LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report found another troubling trend. 76% of employees would stay with companies offering continuous skill-building opportunities, yet only 29% feel their employer provides growth aligned with their personal career goals.

These numbers paint a clear picture: most of us are stuck in jobs that don’t fulfill us and don’t help us grow in the ways we want to grow.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The workplace has changed dramatically. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people born from 1957 to 1964 held an average of 12.4 jobs from ages 18 to 54, with many positions ending in less than five years. The old promise of job security and steady advancement up the corporate ladder? It’s largely gone. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of US-based employees surveyed said that COVID-19 has caused them to reflect on their purpose in life. And nearly half said that they are reconsidering the kind of work they do because of the pandemic.

People are waking up to the reality that traditional employment might not be the path to the fulfilling career they deserve.

The Hidden Cost of the Purpose Gap

When you’re stuck in work that doesn’t align with your values or goals, it affects every part of your life. You might find yourself:

Dreading Monday mornings and living for weekends
Feeling like your skills and talents are being wasted
Wondering if this is all there is to your career
Watching younger colleagues get promoted while you stay put
Feeling burned out despite working harder than ever

The research backs this up. McKinsey found that employees expect their job to be a significant source of purpose. Employers need to help meet this need or be prepared to lose talent to companies that will.

But what happens when your employer can’t or won’t provide that sense of purpose? What if the company’s goals don’t match your personal values? What if there’s simply no room for growth where you are?

The Skills Gap Makes Everything Worse

The purpose gap becomes even more frustrating when combined with the skills gap. LinkedIn’s research shows that skill building is no longer simply a perk for employees — it’s a priority for organizational success.

Yet many employers are failing to deliver. While about 40% of organizations have mature career development initiatives — meaning they invest in career programs that yield positive business results, that leaves 60% of companies falling short.

This creates a double bind: you’re not finding purpose in your current role, and you’re not getting the training or development you need to move into a role that would be more fulfilling.

What Makes This Different from Typical Career Advice

Most career advice tells you to “find your passion” or “network more” or “ask for a promotion.” While these things can help, they’re all based on the assumption that the solution lies within the traditional employment model.

But what if the real problem isn’t your current job? What if it’s the entire structure of being an employee?

Consider this: as an employee, someone else sets your schedule, decides your income potential, determines your growth opportunities, and ultimately controls your professional destiny. No wonder so many people feel powerless and unfulfilled.

The Career Ownership Solution

This is where the concept of career ownership comes in. Instead of hoping your employer will provide purpose and growth opportunities, you take control of your professional future. Career ownership doesn’t necessarily mean starting a business from scratch (though it could). The key is shifting from being dependent on an employer to overseeing your own career trajectory.

Making this kind of transition isn’t easy. That’s where specialized guidance becomes crucial. A Career Ownership Coach® helps you:

Clarify Your True Goals: Many people know they’re unhappy but can’t articulate what they want. A coach helps you identify your Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity (ILWE) goals. What kind of income do you need? What lifestyle do you want? How important is building wealth? Do you want to create something you can eventually sell or pass on to your children?
Explore Options You Never Considered: Most people only know about the career paths they’ve seen others take. A Career Ownership Coach® introduces you to possibilities you might never have discovered on your own. There are thousands of business opportunities out there—many in industries you probably haven’t thought about.
Provide Education, Not Sales Pressure: Our coaches focus on education first. They help you understand different business models, the realities of ownership, and what it really takes to succeed. This isn’t about pushing you toward any opportunity—it’s about helping you make informed decisions.
Support You Through the Process: Changing careers is emotionally challenging. A good coach provides ongoing support, helping you work through fears, overcome obstacles, and stay focused on your goals.
Connect You with Resources: Career Ownership Coaches® have networks of successful business owners and other professionals who can help you succeed.

Real Success Stories

Consider Greg, a mortgage banker who was laid off in favor of a younger candidate. Instead of looking for another corporate job where the same thing could happen again, Greg worked with a Career Ownership Coach® to explore business ownership. Today, he has control over his income and his future.

Or think about the healthcare professional who was successful but wanted more flexibility to be involved in her family life. Working with her coach, she discovered service-based businesses that allowed her to serve her community while building a legacy for her children.

These aren’t unique cases. To date, The Entrepreneur’s Source® has helped people like you since 1984 find their path toward the next chapter of their professional lives.

The Skills You Already Have Are More Valuable Than You Think

One of the biggest myths about business ownership is that you need to be a “natural entrepreneur” or have specific technical skills. The truth is, the skills that make you valuable as an employee—project management, customer service, problem-solving, leadership—are exactly the skills that make businesses successful.

As AI continues to reshape the workplace, the importance of human skills, or soft skills, becomes increasingly apparent. The very abilities that make you human—creativity, empathy, relationship-building—become more valuable, not less.

Why Now Is the Right Time

Several trends are making career ownership more attractive and accessible than ever:

Technology has lowered barriers: You can start and run many businesses with tools that didn’t exist even five years ago.
Remote work acceptance: The pandemic proved that work doesn’t have to happen in a traditional office, opening new possibilities.
Financing options: There are more ways to fund a business or franchise than ever before.
Support systems: Organizations like The Entrepreneur’s Source® provide structured guidance that didn’t exist in the past.
Economic uncertainty: With traditional job security declining, owning your own income source provides more security, not less.

Taking the First Step is just a Phone call!

If you’re feeling stuck in the purpose gap, the most important thing you can do is start exploring your options. This doesn’t mean you have to quit your job tomorrow or commit to anything specific. It means giving yourself permission to imagine a different future.

A Career Ownership Coach® can help you begin this exploration at no cost. The initial coaching is typically free because coaches earn referral fees when they help connect people with the right business opportunities. This means you can get professional guidance without any upfront investment.

The conversation might reveal that business ownership isn’t right for you—and that’s okay. But it might also open possibilities you never imagined. Either way, you’ll have more clarity about your path forward.

Your Career 2.0 Awaits

The purpose gap is real, and it’s affecting millions of people. But it’s not permanent. With the right guidance and a willingness to explore new possibilities, you can move from feeling stuck to feeling excited about your professional future.

Remember: 70 percent of employees said that their sense of purpose is defined by their work. If work is going to define your purpose anyway, shouldn’t you have control over what that work looks like?

Your current career doesn’t have to be your final career. Whether you’ve been laid off, passed over for promotion, or you’re simply ready for something more meaningful, career ownership might be the path to the purpose and growth you’ve been seeking.

The question isn’t whether you deserve a more fulfilling career—you do. The question is whether you’re ready to take the steps to make it happen.

Ready to explore what your Career 2.0 could look like? Connect with a Career Ownership Coach® today for a complimentary consultation. There’s no commitment, no cost, and no pressure—just an opportunity to discover what possibilities are waiting for you.

About Your Career Revolution

Our mission is to help individuals explore self-sufficiency as an alternative career.

We help them define their Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals and provide education on the best ways to achieve them. We don’t sell franchises – we help people achieve their dreams of self-sufficiency through business ownership. The approach is different, the experience is different. And it works.

Order on AMAZON

Learn More About Career Ownership Coaching™