Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Cara Gray Of Good Morning Freedom On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self

An interview with Cara Gray

Reflect on Your Core Values

Take time to identify and prioritize your fundamental beliefs and principles. When your goals align with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled and motivated.

Example: Liz, a retired executive, was always interested in economic inequality but never had time to pursue it actively. In retirement, she set a goal to volunteer weekly at a local food pantry, aligning her actions with her long-held social justice values.

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 Cara Gray.

Cara Gray is the founder of Good Morning Freedom, a consultancy that specializes in partnering with uniquely successful executives, professionals, and business owners to intentionally design and implement the next major phase of their lives. Her holistic consulting approach focuses on key areas, including purpose, identity, community, relationships, spiritual life, mental health, and physical well-being. The culmination of her client work is a custom, resource-rich document averaging 20–30 pages, representing 30–40 hours of dedicated analysis and strategic planning. This blueprint serves as a concrete action plan, ensuring that her clients’ transitions are not just financially secure, but profoundly rewarding.

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?

I like to say that all paths throughout my life have led me to this moment and certainly this line of work! I spent the bulk of my career as the right hand to Fortune 500, C-Suite executives. I am very attracted to working with visionary CEOs and had the fortune to do so. I also understand how committed and consumed this type of executive is with their work. Work/life balance is not something I observed. When this type of executive retires, it can often be a challenge to find purpose and replace parts of identity that were intrinsically tied to their careers.

For the last 10 years, I have founded and grown a social media marketing agency, freelanced, worked for a startup and now have landed where I hope to stay, working as a Third Act Consultant. I don’t think of the third act or retirement as any kind of slowing down. Rather, it’s a massive opportunity to explore new avenues, continue to learn and enjoy the freedom to discover new purpose. I help my clients intentionally design a plan for the rest of their lives!

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?

I am grateful for all of my current and future referral partners. One of my challenges is connecting with people in the same time frame as they are facing a retirement transition and it’s often their wealth advisor, attorney, accountant, estate planner or real estate agent who have these relationships and can refer their clients to me. A surprise for me was how much I enjoy building and nurturing these relationships with professionals in adjacent businesses. And I always do my best to return the referral.

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?

I am going to give a very consultative answer here. I like to use tools like CliftonStrengths with my clients if they haven’t used a tool like this previously. These are my top three.

Futuristic — I am inspired by the future, and I like to inspire others with their visions for the future. This comes in very handy in my work as we almost exclusively focus on the future and planning the possibilities for my clients’ lives moving forward past their main careers.

Relator — I enjoy close relationships with others and find deep satisfaction in working closely with others. Nothing lights me up more than witnessing a client having a “lightbulb moment” and knowing that my guidance has sparked this type of revelation. I get very invested in my client’s successes, and this strength makes my work extremely gratifying.

Responsibility — I take psychological ownership of what I say I will do. You can count on me! This strength also means I am committed to the stable values of honesty and loyalty. In my practice, this is reflected in my commitment to my clients.

Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. 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 know I am not alone in this answer, but the pandemic, or more specifically that time period, was most certainly a defining moment in my life and the trajectory of my career. I had built a successful Instagram Marketing Agency the previous three years and was experiencing a great deal of burnout from that business. Simultaneously, my mom was in an advanced stage of breast cancer and the country was going on lockdown. I picked up my life in Chicago and moved to Iowa to be with my mom for the last 5 weeks of her life. I held her hand as she passed. There is nothing like experiencing mortality to put life into perspective. Soon after, I shut down my agency and started toward my current path.

What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?

There are a lot of different ways to approach finding life’s purpose. A good start is to make a list of things you are curious about. Curiosity is something that most people don’t take the time to consider. Making this list can get your wheels turning and can unearth ideas that you haven’t ever considered. These ideas can translate into new possibilities that can be incorporated into your life and clarify your life’s purpose.

I also recommend consuming media as a way to discover purpose. If there are people that you admire professionally or personally, seek out podcasts, articles or books where they are featured. I am also a huge fan of Masterclass, where you can watch videos from subject matter experts on topics like culture, art, business, cooking, fashion, science, technology, design, health — it’s limitless. And can spark new ideas and directions for your future, purposeful life.

How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?

As we get older, the societal expectations become less. That is one of the gifts of aging! Also, as we get older, our own mortality is more present so if there was ever a time to listen to and trust your inner calling, it’s now.

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?

Many times, we start doing something and we keep doing it — even if it isn’t adding to our lives, purpose or career. This can be particularly difficult for me because of the aforementioned character trait of responsibility that is so ingrained in me.

When I started my consultancy, I launched a podcast where I interviewed people who had successfully transitioned into their third act. This was a good idea in terms of marketing and establishing authority, and I liked doing it, but I noticed a few months ago that no longer makes me feel aligned or in flow. I am now feeling inspired by writing and finding more satisfaction in publishing a weekly newsletter. So for now, I am publishing my podcast monthly instead of weekly.

This type of pivot can sometimes feel like a failure (thanks to societal expectations!), but it’s important to listen to our guts and do what brings joy and lights us up. Life is too short to be doing things we don’t love.

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?

As you get older, it’s important to shift to more of a work/life balance. For some lucky individuals, this has always been an awareness and a practice. For most of us, career, family obligations and responsibilities have taken center stage and have defined our identities. The first step is to consider your identity and how that will change as you leave your main career, children leave the nest, and parents pass on. After those life events happen, new identities and purpose must be formed. You can start now by exploring some new hobbies, communities and relationships outside of work and family. The sooner you start, the more purpose you will find and the easier these transitions will be.

What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”?

1. Reflect on Your Core Values

Take time to identify and prioritize your fundamental beliefs and principles. When your goals align with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled and motivated.

Example: Liz, a retired executive, was always interested in economic inequality but never had time to pursue it actively. In retirement, she set a goal to volunteer weekly at a local food pantry, aligning her actions with her long-held social justice values.

2. Explore Your Passions and Interests

Retirement is an excellent opportunity to rediscover old interests or explore new ones. Set goals that allow you to engage deeply with activities that bring you joy and excitement.

Example: Dave, a former wealth advisor, rekindled his childhood love for painting. He set a goal to complete an art course and hold his first exhibition within a year, combining skill development with his passion for creativity.

3. Consider Your Natural Strengths and Talents

Identify what you’re naturally good at and enjoy doing (you can use a tool like Clifton Strengths Finder). Setting goals that leverage these strengths can lead to a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Example: Lisa, who had a rewarding career in corporate communications, set a goal to mentor young professionals in her field. This allowed her to use her expertise while giving back to her community, providing a sense of continued relevance and contribution.

4. Listen to Your Intuition

Pay attention to what feels right for you, not just what others expect. Your inner voice often guides you towards goals that are truly meaningful to you.

Example: Despite pressure from friends to travel extensively, Matthew realized he preferred a quieter retirement. He set a goal to write a novel, something he had always wanted to do but never had time for. This decision felt more authentic to him than constant travel.

5. Align Goals with Your Personal Growth

Set objectives that challenge you to learn, grow, and become the person you aspire to be. Personal development doesn’t stop at retirement.

Example: Jackie, who had always been shy, set a goal to improve her public speaking skills by joining a local Toastmasters club. This not only pushed her out of her comfort zone but also opened up new opportunities for social connection and community involvement.

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 ways to integrate your purpose into your existing responsibilities. Look for opportunities to align your work, family life, and personal growth in mutually supportive ways.

Here are some examples of how to do this:

1. Mentoring at work: If your purpose involves helping others grow, volunteer to mentor junior colleagues or interns at your workplace. This aligns with your professional responsibilities while fulfilling your personal goal of making a positive impact.
2. Family volunteering: If community service is part of your purpose, involve your family in volunteer activities. This could mean participating in local clean-up drives or serving at a food bank together, combining family time with giving back to the community.
3. Skill-sharing at home: If you’re passionate about education, teach your children or spouse skills related to your profession. For instance, a software engineer could introduce basic coding concepts to their kids, merging family time with educational pursuits.
4. Wellness initiatives at work: If health and wellbeing are important to you, propose and lead wellness programs at your workplace. This could include organizing lunchtime yoga sessions or starting a running club with colleagues.
5. Integrating hobbies into work: If you’re passionate about writing or photography, look for ways to incorporate these skills into your work projects, such as creating content for company blogs or taking photos for marketing materials.
6. Eco-friendly practices: If environmental conservation is your purpose, implement sustainable practices both at home and at work. This could involve leading recycling initiatives at the office and teaching your family about reducing waste at home.
7. Cultural exchange: If you value diversity and cultural understanding, organize cultural exchange events at work and expose your family to different cultures through food, music, or travel.
8. Personal development book club: Start a book club focused on personal growth books with both family members and colleagues, fostering development in both spheres of life.
9. Teaching life skills: If you’re passionate about financial literacy, teach budgeting and saving skills to both your children at home and your team at work.

How can our readers further follow your work?

Website: https://goodmorningfreedom.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraliveslife/

Act Three Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Al5r26gDK5VStphFQxj89?si=51c84aba29ed4015

Newsletter: https://actthree.beehiiv.com/

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.