The word purpose gets thrown around a lot. We’re often told to be purpose-driven in our work, but what does that actually look like? It’s easy to nod along, but harder to connect the dots when we’re buried in our day-to-day tasks.
I was reminded recently, in a very simple way, what purpose in action really looks like.
One of our clients shares a property with the local Anglican Church. They run an op shop onsite, and I happened to have a box of household bits and pieces from an elderly friend who was clearing out her home. Some things might have been treasures, others probably junk. I wasn’t sure. So I popped into the shop and offered the box to Sandra, who runs it.
I said I was happy to take anything back that wasn’t suitable. But Sandra said something that really stuck with me: “We welcome everything. Even if it’s not sellable, we’ll go through it. The purpose is to honour the items that meant something to someone and to help others afford what they need.”
She saw the value in more than just the objects. She saw the person behind them and the people they might still help.
The next day I came back with three more boxes. Sandra wasn’t there. A gentleman named William was. I brought the first box in and he glanced inside.
“This looks more like junk,” he said.
“No problem at all,” I replied. “Happy to take them back.”
I mentioned the other boxes in my car, and he shrugged, “No, it’s often junk.” That was the end of it. So I returned the box to my car, thinking I’d just discard them.
But the next day, something unexpected happened.
Francis, a helper from the op shop, sought me out at the dental practice I was visiting. She asked if I’d brought in boxes and been turned away. When I said yes, she told me that Sandra was upset about it. William, she explained, had no right to refuse donations like that. Sandra was working that day and wanted me to bring the boxes in after all.
So I did. Happily.
What struck me about all of this was how clearly it highlighted the difference between doing a task and doing a task with purpose.
William was probably imagining himself having to sort through boxes of things that didn’t look valuable at first glance. And fair enough — that can feel like a hassle. But Sandra was guided by something deeper. She wasn’t just sorting through stuff. She was honouring the story behind each item and creating an opportunity for someone else in the community to benefit.
This is what being purpose-driven really looks like.
It’s not always efficient. It’s not always convenient. But it is what makes the work feel worthwhile.
And this lesson isn’t just for op shops. It’s just as relevant in dental practices. When we go about our roles, whether we’re booking appointments, sterilising instruments, or greeting patients, the task is important, yes. But the intention behind it is what makes it meaningful.
At Dental Business Mastery, we talk a lot about finding joy and fulfilment in your work. And that starts with getting clear on your purpose. Why are you here? Who are you helping? What’s the ripple effect of the way you choose to show up?
When you work with purpose, you don’t just complete tasks. You make an impact.