Drawing from years of StoryCorps interviews and reflected in his book Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work, Isay shares lessons from people who have committed themselves to work that truly matters.

These insights, also discussed in talks featured on platforms like Ted.com, reveal how purpose often emerges through experience, courage, and persistence.

1. Purpose lies where your skills, recognition, and impact meet.
A true calling often comes from doing something you excel at, feeling valued for it, and knowing it makes a difference to others. It can be as simple as a barista brightening a customer’s day; what matters is the combination of competence, appreciation, and contribution. To discover this, Isay advises ignoring outside expectations and listening to your inner sense of what feels meaningful.

2. Life’s challenges can uncover purpose.
Difficult experiences often act as a catalyst. One young teacher shifted from medicine to education after a personal tragedy, turning a painful moment into a lifelong vocation. Major life events can clarify priorities and direct people toward work that truly resonates.

3. Pursuing a calling takes courage.
Purpose frequently involves standing up to barriers or societal norms. From pioneering scientists facing discrimination to entrepreneurs rebuilding communities after disasters, many callings demand persistence, bravery, and a commitment to make change.

4. Others can guide your journey.
Sometimes a simple suggestion or encouragement can steer someone toward their true work. Many people discover their calling thanks to the influence of mentors, advisors, or even chance encounters, illustrating that purpose is rarely a solo pursuit.

5. Finding your calling is just the beginning.
Identifying your passion is only step one; the real work comes from the effort, learning, and sacrifices required to follow it. Often this path leads to careers that serve others, including nurses, teachers, and social workers whose contributions are vital yet often uncelebrated.

6. There’s no age limit for discovering purpose.
Callings can appear early in life or much later. Some find their passion in their teens, others after decades in unrelated roles. What matters is recognising it when it strikes and committing to pursue it fully.

7. Callings aren’t always lucrative.
Many choose meaningful work over high-paying positions, embracing jobs that provide satisfaction, impact, and integrity rather than wealth. The wisdom shared through StoryCorps interviews highlights that a fulfilling life is often defined by purpose and dedication rather than monetary gain.

In the end, the stories compiled by Isay, as discussed in talks and features on Ted.com, remind us that pursuing the work we were meant to do is a continuous process requiring reflection, courage, and perseverance, but it can also be the most rewarding journey of all.