It's called 'the great reshuffle' and it's about choosing a feeling of purpose in life over the biggest payslip. By Jess Stuart
A quiet revolution is reshaping the world of work, and New Zealand is no exception. After years of uncertainty, disruption, and reflection, many Kiwis are re-evaluating what they want from their careers. What started globally as “The Great Resignation” has evolved into something more meaningful here at home: media pundits are calling it The Great Reshuffle.
A 2020 survey found that 70% of employees tie their sense of purpose to their work, and productivity is higher for those who can live their purpose. The research, by McKinsey, highlights why purpose is vital for employee well-being and can support greater engagement.
Career coach Jess Stuart says after years of uncertainty and disruption, some Kiwis are reflecting on what they want from their careers. (Source: Breakfast)
Redefining success
I spent years in a job I chose for salary, stability and status. It led to burnout and turned out not to be the dream I thought it would. Since then I’ve spent a decade creating a job I love. Working out what my strengths are, what matters to me and how I can use those gifts and my lived experience to make a positive difference in the world, while also being paid of course.
I’m not the only one. In the wake of the pandemic, closed borders and work-from-home mandates created space for reflection. Many of us asked deeper questions about our working lives: Does this job give me meaning? Do I feel valued? Am I spending my time in a way that matters?
A client spent nearly two decades climbing the corporate ladder in a high-profile marketing career. With a six-figure salary, international travel, and a flash company car, she appeared to have it all. But on the inside, she felt increasingly disconnected.
She told me one day; “It feels like I’m pouring my energy into selling things I don’t really believe in, and I’ve started to question whether I’m really making a difference.”
When the pandemic hit, Sarah took the opportunity to reflect. She began volunteering with a local environmental trust and found herself more energised than she'd felt in years.
Six months later, she made the leap trading her corporate salary for a role in the not-for-profit sector. The move wasn’t without its challenges, but the impact on her wellbeing was immediate. “I’ve never felt more aligned,” she says. “I work fewer hours, but I’m far more productive because I care deeply about what we’re doing. I might not have the same income, but I’ve gained a sense of meaning that money never gave me.”
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a push to lift our superannuation age, rising Middle East tensions, and Auckland's amateur footballers face off against global giants. (Source: 1News)
Are you in need of a reshuffle?
The Great Reshuffle is more than a trend, it’s an invitation. A chance to pause, reflect, and ask yourself what really matters in your working life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or out of alignment with your job, you’re not alone.
So ask yourself:
• Does my work energise me or drain me?
• Do I feel like I’m growing or just going through the motions?
• Am I proud of what I contribute and who I work for?
If your answers to those questions leave you feeling like a change might be required.
Five tips for those on the cusp of change
1. Get clear on your values
Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you, not just what sounds good, but what feels energising and authentic. Write down your top five personal values and keep them visible. Use them as a "compass" to guide career decisions.
2. Experiment before you take the leap
You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow. Test new paths safely first. Volunteer, freelance, or take on small side projects aligned with your interests to explore what feels meaningful while still keeping your financial security.
3. Redefine success for yourself
Success isn't just about salary or title, it's about fulfilment, contribution, and alignment. Write a personal definition of success that includes non-financial markers (like impact, joy, flexibility, learning). What does success look like for you?
4. Connect with purpose-driven people
You’re influenced by the people around you. Surround yourself with others seeking or living meaningful work. Seek out those already doing it, connect and learn from them. LinkedIn can be a good tool for this.
5. Start where you are
Finding meaning doesn’t always mean starting all over again. Sometimes it’s finding new meaning within your current role or organisation. Look for projects, committees, or initiatives at work that align with your passions (like sustainability, diversity, or innovation) and get involved.
With a background in HR, Jess Stuart is now a Waiheke-based career coach and the author of several books including: Burnout to Brilliance and I Love Mondays.
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