Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Stacy Harshman Of Your Fulfilling Life On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Identify What Matters Most: Pinpoint the key aspects of a career that resonate most with you — like compensation, work-life balance, and work culture. By understanding your priorities, you can pursue career paths that satisfy your essential needs.
Finding and living in alignment with your true purpose can be a transformative journey. Yet, many struggle with identifying their life’s purpose and aligning their goals with it. In this series, we aim to explore how individuals discover their purpose and create a life that reflects their authentic selves, leading to greater fulfillment and success. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Stacy Harshman, Career Coach, Biography.
After years in recruiting, Stacy Harshman found herself at a crossroads. She needed a career that offered flexibility so that she could care for her father who had recently been hospitalized. Seeking clarity, she decided to work with a career coach — a decision that transformed her professional life. Inspired by her journey, Stacy embraced her passion for helping others find fulfilling careers and became a career coach herself. With her extensive recruiting experience, Stacy offers unique insights into what employers seek in candidates, from capturing a recruiter’s attention to nailing interviews and post-interview follow-ups. Her insider knowledge helps clients not only secure jobs but find roles that truly align with their values and goals. Though Stacy welcomes clients at any career stage, she especially enjoys working with those who are in mid-career stages seeking work that sparks passion and purpose.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story! My journey began in Human Resources, where I discovered my passion for helping people find the right opportunities.
One of my first significant roles was as a corporate recruiter for Albertson’s corporate office. I loved every aspect of the job — managing recruitment for a 2,000-person office with 90 departments, and helping hire around 400 new employees each year. It was fast-paced and fulfilling, giving me a deep understanding of the hiring process and what it takes to match talent with the right role.
From there, I joined the American Red Cross in blood services, where I shifted my focus to recruiting nurses, phlebotomists, and lab techs. While I enjoyed the work, my life circumstances changed when my dad became very ill and had to be hospitalized out of state. As I traveled back and forth between Idaho and Arizona to care for him, I began to realize I needed greater flexibility in my career.
During this time, I stumbled upon the concept of life coaching. Intrigued but unsure of what it entailed, I decided to work with a coach myself. That decision was life-changing. I’d always had plenty of ideas and ambitions, but my thoughts felt scattered. My coach helped me untangle them, uncover my true priorities, and move forward with purpose. The experience opened my eyes to the incredible power of clarity, and I realized, “This is what I want to do for others.”
With my background in recruiting and my newfound passion for coaching, the transition felt natural. I pursued certifications in life and career management coaching, combining my expertise in talent acquisition with a more personal, holistic approach. My first client was a woman feeling stuck in an unfulfilling career and unsure of her next step. Together, we explored not just her career goals but her values, passions, and vision for her life as a whole. That experience cemented my belief that career fulfillment is deeply tied to living authentically in every aspect of life.
Today, as a career coach, I draw on my HR and recruitment experience to help clients navigate career transitions with confidence and clarity. I know firsthand how transformative it is to align your work with your values and aspirations, and I’m passionate about guiding others to achieve that same sense of fulfillment.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Victoria Craig who was my first coach. She was instrumental in guiding me toward where I am today. She introduced me to the true depth of coaching and provided an exceptional example — not just of what coaching could be, but what excellent coaching is. Her approach was to care deeply about the entire person, not just their career or goals, but their whole being. During our time together, my father passed away and she came to the funeral. Even thinking about how much she cared brings tears to my eyes.
In my previous corporate role, empathy was often limited, especially during tough situations like layoffs, where emotions had to be managed carefully. But in coaching, I’ve found that empathy is not only encouraged but essential. Victoria’s example taught me that I could use my HR experience in a field that’s all about positive growth and creating a better future. She helped me see that coaching was not just a career shift but a path to connect deeply with people, and for that, I am forever grateful.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The three-character traits that have been most instrumental in my success are perseverance, curiosity, and gratitude.
Perseverance has been essential because it’s not easy to start your own business. There are a lot of obstacles that come your way, so persevering through the process of not knowing is important. For instance, I struggled with building a website, developing marketing strategies, and juggling various responsibilities that required skills outside my expertise. I do have a business degree, so I frequently thought I should know more than I did. Persevering through those moments of doubt and uncertainty helped me grow and realize that success requires pushing forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Curiosity has also been a driving force. When I started out, I didn’t have all the answers, so I leaned into my natural curiosity to figure things out. I reached out to others, asked questions, and learned by trial and error. For example, when I had to develop a marketing plan, I didn’t know where to start, so I asked colleagues, attended workshops, and studied how other businesses operated. This willingness to learn and explore helped me acquire the skills I needed to be effective and adapt quickly, much like hiring contractors when you own a house and need to build a strong team of experts around you.
Gratitude has been a grounding trait that keeps me motivated. Starting a business is a long journey, and it can be easy to focus on the hurdles. By celebrating small wins — like my first few clients, a successful project, or positive feedback — I stayed motivated and positive. Gratitude helped me recognize and appreciate the progress I was making, reminding me to acknowledge each step forward and to stay focused on the bigger picture.
Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?
I didn’t realize it at the time, but one of the most defining moments in my life occurred while I was working at Albertsons. I was tasked with a challenging assignment: to oversee the layoff of an entire department of 30 people. Despite the emotional weight of the situation, I am proud to say that every employee who wanted a job was able to secure one by the end of the process.
Instead of relying on an outplacement company, which is common in such situations, I took on the responsibility myself. I sat down with each person individually to learn about their goals and aspirations — not just their current roles. I helped them refine their resumes, improve their interview skills, and build their networks.
Initially, I doubted my ability to handle such a challenging task. I was in my 20s, and most of the people affected were older and more experienced. But I didn’t let that deter me. I focused on building trust and proving my dedication by ensuring each individual had the tools and support to land on their feet.
One moment that stands out was when one person returned to tell me, “Thank you for helping me. I never would have gotten this job without you.” Those words confirmed for me that helping people navigate career transitions was not just a task — it was a purpose.
This experience shaped the goals I’ve set ever since. It taught me the importance of advocacy, resilience, and compassion in challenging situations. It also ignited my passion for empowering others to achieve their career potential, a passion I’ve carried into my work as a career coach today.
What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?
One step you can take is to schedule quiet time for yourself to think and reflect. Journaling during this time can also be a valuable tool for capturing your thoughts and insights.
During this time, listen to what your heart is telling you. Focus on what you really want, not what you think others want for you.
Here are some questions for you to contemplate:
1) What things have I done that have brought me a deep sense of well-being?
2) What are my essential beliefs or values?
3) How have I best been able to put these beliefs or values into actions?
4) What do I want to be remembered for?
Give yourself time with this process; there’s no need to rush. The answers may take a while to emerge, so consider focusing on one question at a time.
Once you have your thoughts down on paper, you can begin to see a pattern emerging. You will begin to see more clearly what your path will be. I highly advise you to talk through these ideas with a trusted friend, mentor, or coach. It is amazing what clarity comes when you are able to share your thoughts with someone who will listen and support you.
How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?
A client I’m working with now came to me feeling like something was missing from her career. As we were going through her strengths and stories, I pointed out that every story spotlighted creativity, and right away she realized creativity is missing from her job. She told me her family pushed her to make money, to have that security, but she never felt fulfilled by the work. She’s now in transition to a more creative profession, and it’s incredible to see how deciding what to do with our professional lives is really a journey into self. External pressures are far more agonizing when we don’t have clear ideas of what we want and where we’re going.
I once heard this metaphor, that captures the process of achieving a goal: it’s like crossing a stream that’s too wide to jump over. While a single leap may not be possible you can still navigate your way across by stepping on rocks — even if it means zigzagging along the way. The key is knowing where your destination lies on the other side. I help people identify that clear destination and discover creative paths they may not have considered, showing them there are more options than simply “don’t cross” or “jump all at once.”
Can you share an example of a time when you adjusted or abandoned a goal because it no longer aligned with your deeper sense of purpose? What did you learn from that experience?
I had another layoff experience made me reevaluate my career goals and sense of purpose. I initially got into HR because I wanted to help people, but this experience highlighted the conflict between that intention and the reality of certain corporate decisions.
Unlike a previous layoff where I was able to work closely with affected employees to help them transition into new roles, this time I wasn’t allowed to provide any follow-up support. My job was limited to delivering the news and stepping away. It felt cold and impersonal, and I could see the pain and uncertainty on the faces of the people I was speaking to. Not being able to offer them the guidance they needed during such a vulnerable time was devastating.
This experience taught me an important lesson: it’s not enough for my work to be impactful in theory — it must align with my deeper values in practice. I realized I didn’t want to continue in roles where I was unable to support people in a meaningful way during their hardest moments.
While that layoff experience was difficult, it was also transformative. It reaffirmed my commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives, even in the face of challenging circumstances. Today, I’m proud to do work that aligns with my values and allows me to truly help others turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Find a support person — a coach or someone you trust who will support you in this effort. We have a lot of jumbled ideas in our brain but once we verbalize them, they make more sense. A great coach listens attentively, helps you unpack your thoughts, and asks insightful questions that spark self-discovery. Look for someone who doesn’t tell you what to do but instead asks questions to help you find what YOU want.
What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”?
Being a career coach, I often see the importance of aligning career goals with one’s true self for lasting fulfillment and success. Many people set goals based on external expectations or perceived obligations rather than what genuinely resonates with them. But when your career goals reflect who you truly are — your values, strengths, and passions — your work becomes more meaningful and sustainable. To create this alignment, here are five techniques:
1. Identify What Matters Most: Pinpoint the key aspects of a career that resonate most with you — like compensation, work-life balance, and work culture. By understanding your priorities, you can pursue career paths that satisfy your essential needs.
For example, I worked with a client who was unhappy in her role as a prosecutor. The job required constant confrontations, which conflicted with her preference for a quieter, more independent work environment. Once she recognized this mismatch, she transitioned to a career as a patent attorney, where she could focus on researching patent law independently, free from the frequent conflicts of her previous role. This shift brought her a much greater sense of fulfillment, as her work environment finally aligned with her personality and preferred way of working.
2. Assess Your Strengths: Dedicate time to reflect on and identify your unique strengths — your personal “superpowers.” A true strength isn’t just something you do well; it’s an activity or skill that also energizes you.
Identifying your strengths is essential because you’re far more likely to feel fulfilled when your work allows you to use them regularly. According to a 2018 Gallup report, people who use their strengths daily are three times more likely to report an excellent quality of life and six times more likely to be engaged at work. Aligning your career with your natural abilities can greatly enhance both your personal satisfaction and professional success.
Identify what you do best so you can focus on those strengths in your career, minimizing discouragement and staying motivated to overcome challenges when they arise. It’s often difficult to recognize our own strengths because we tend to dismiss compliments or undervalue skills that feel “too easy” to us. Pay attention to areas where you frequently receive compliments or lose track of time in a flow state — these are strong indicators of your unique talents.
3. Connect with Your Interests: When you’re genuinely interested in something, working hard on it feels much easier because interest often serves as the foundation for passion.
I worked with a client who was well-compensated but deeply unhappy in her career because her work felt boring and unengaging. Despite the financial rewards, she found little satisfaction in her day-to-day tasks. When she took time to reconnect with her interests, she remembered her earlier dream of becoming a counselor, a path she had set aside to follow her family’s expectations.
Realizing this, she decided to return to college and pursue her true calling. This shift not only reenergized her but also allowed her to align her work with her passion for helping others. By pursuing careers that resonate with our interests, we infuse our work with purpose and enthusiasm, making it easier to stay committed and fulfilled over the long term.
4. Define Your Purpose: Defining your purpose is key to transforming your work from a series of tasks into a meaningful journey. Although we often use the words “job” and “career” interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a “job” is simply “a piece of work, something that has to be done,” a definition that emphasizes tasks and obligations. In contrast, a “career” comes from the Latin word cararia, meaning a road or path, and is defined as “a course of actions or events, especially a person’s progress in their chosen occupation.” This distinction suggests that a job is something you do out of necessity, whereas a career is a chosen path that moves you toward a purposeful destination.
To define your purpose, start by asking, “Am I in a career, or am I just doing a job?” Reflect on whether you’re merely completing tasks each day or following a path that aligns with your aspirations. Delve deeper into why you work. Beyond earning a paycheck, think about what truly fulfills you. Questions like, “What legacy would I like to leave?” and “What difference would I like to make in the world?” can help you uncover your purpose.
I worked with a client who felt unfulfilled in his current role, unsure why he lacked a sense of purpose. Together, we revisited his past jobs, and he realized that his true passion lay in helping immigrants assimilate into American culture — work he’d once done and loved. He decided to return to this field, feeling called to make a meaningful difference in others’ lives. After he passed away, I saw his impact vividly reflected in the heartfelt online tributes written by those he helped. People shared stories of his selfless acts, describing how he provided guidance and support when they had no one else to turn to. His story illustrates how aligning your career with your purpose not only enriches your life but also leaves a lasting legacy in the lives of others.
5. Evaluate Progress Regularly: Evaluating your progress regularly is essential to ensure your career remains fulfilling and aligned with your evolving goals.
For instance, I once worked with a client who initially loved his job as a teacher. However, over time, he realized that the growing burden of administrative tasks was draining the joy from his work. In our sessions, he discovered that his passion for teaching could be better fulfilled in an adult training environment, where he could focus more on direct interaction and less on paperwork. By regularly assessing his career, he was able to make a proactive shift that rekindled his enthusiasm and satisfaction. This example underscores the importance of checking in with yourself periodically, which allows you to make timely adjustments that keep your work engaging, aligned with your strengths, and true to what you find fulfilling. Regular evaluations ensure that your career continues to serve not just your goals but also your happiness and well-being.
How can our readers further follow your work?
I invite readers to check out my website of www.YourFulfillingLife.com and take the quiz “Assess Your Career Path.”
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Stacy Harshman Of Your Fulfilling Life On How to Align Your Goals… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.