From Lost for Words to Mission Mentor: A Journey of Finding and Creating Spaces

Sarah Bodo
Oct 26
5 min read

Updated: Oct 30

Finding you mission is an iterative process but step-by-step you get to more clarity.

So it was that time again at the university, where new learners start their learning journey, and like always, it begins with one big question:

What’s your mission?

This year, I had the privilege of being invited as a mentor and coach, guiding 15 incredible individuals through their own mission discovery process. But right before the kickoff, I was asked to share my own mission and a short bio.

And suddenly, I was right back in that camper van in November 2023 — staring at my old notes, remembering how difficult it had been back then to find the right words.

It wasn’t that I didn’t have a mission. I could feel it in my bones.

But putting it into words? That was the hard part.

The Quiet Struggle Behind the Scenes

I still remember watching others in the room easily articulate their purpose — words flowing effortlessly, confident, aligned. Meanwhile, I was stuck.

Not because I didn’t care, but because I cared so much.

I tried every tool I could get my hands on — Ikigai, the Hedgehog Principle, even asked AI to help me reflect. But still, nothing felt quite right.

And honestly? It didn’t feel good.

It felt like maybe I was missing something — or maybe I was just overthinking it (classic INTJ-HSP combo, I know).

At the time, I was even afraid to share my mission out loud.

Fast Forward: A Clearer Feeling, Not Just Better Words

Now, almost two years later, things feel different.

The words may still shift, but the feeling is anchored.

My mission in short?

Create spaces for people.

It might sound simple — but this idea of “creating spaces” and people-focus have been quietly driving everything I do.

One Story I Shared

During the mentoring sessions, many of the students also struggled to find the perfect words. So I told them this story — one that still teaches me today.

During my sabbatical, I had the opportunity to test my entrepreneurial side with a business idea:

A boutique hotel — a physical space where people could come, be themselves, and maybe even learn more about who they are.

It was exciting. The vision was clear.

It was more than just hospitality — it was about transformation, creativity, connection.

It was a space.

But as the project progressed with business partners and investors, the focus slowly shifted. Profit took center stage. My idea of a creative, transformational space — the workshop room, the purpose — got sidelined.

I pushed for it. We compromised. But eventually, the space was too small, the location too risky, and it just… faded.

We went to our coach, and he said:

“Maybe the door is closing.”

At the time, we were angry. But looking back, he was right for this location.

Because the moment that core mission of “creating spaces” was removed, everything started feeling heavy.

Before, even the challenges felt energizing.

But without alignment? It was just another project.

Words Come Second

That story helped many of the mentees understand:

Your mission isn’t always about words.

It’s about the feeling. The pull. The energy that keeps you moving forward.

I’m a visual person. I work better with images and emotions than definitions and taglines. So if you’re like me — don’t wait for perfect wording. Instead, notice what gives you life.

Especially for entrepreneurs, the drive to solve problems is strong. But if your autonomy is restricted, or you’re not aligned with your values, things start to feel… off.

That’s not failure. That’s feedback.

Why a Mission Matters (Especially When Life Feels Like a Hamster Wheel)

Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness — jumping from one task to the next, chasing deadlines, solving the next urgent thing — that we forget to ask:

Where am I actually going?

It starts to feel like that classic hamster wheel. You’re running, you’re doing, you’re moving — but there’s no sense of direction. No meaning behind the motion.

That’s why having clarity on your mission matters.

It doesn’t mean every step will be perfect or every path straight. But it gives you something to move toward.

It becomes your compass — helping you filter what’s important, say no to distractions, and recognize the detours that are actually leading you home.

Some Tools That Helped Me (Eventually)

If you’re still exploring your mission, here are a few frameworks I’ve found useful:

Ikigai – What you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, what you can be paid for
Hedgehog Concept – What drives your economic engine, what you’re deeply passionate about, and what you can be the best in the world at
Simon Sinek’s Why, How, What – Start with why and the rest follows

These aren’t shortcuts. But they’re great mirrors to help you reflect.

So What’s My Mission — Right Now?

It took time, reflection, and lots of messy drafts — but today, I can say this is my current mission:

Helping people and organizations break through barriers so that innovation can flourish. By designing human-centered spaces — cultural, emotional, and physical — where leaders grow with empathy, teams strive with trust, and organizations deliver meaningful, future-ready impact.

It’s alive. It’s evolving.

And it’s aligned with what drives me every day.

Whether I’m mentoring an intrapreneur, running a leadership workshop, or dreaming about building a physical co-working space that blends coaching, creativity, and community — this is the red thread.

It’s even connected to the vision my friend and I had back during COVID:

CoWoLi spots across Europe — a co-living, co-working space for purpose-driven people who want to work from anywhere, together.

Reflecting Back to You

If you’re reading this and still figuring out your mission, here are a few questions to explore:

What energizes you even when things get hard?
When do you feel most like yourself?
What kind of environment helps you thrive?
Where do you keep returning to — in thought, in dreams, in conversation?
What are you unconsciously already building?
What are people sharing about you when you arent in the room?

It’s okay if it’s not clear yet.

Sometimes, the mission shows up in feelings long before it turns into words.

Want to Talk It Through?

I’ve found that even a short, honest conversation can unlock so much clarity.

Those 30-minute calls I’ve had with people — whether they were feeling stuck, curious, or just needed a sounding board — have been incredibly productive.

So if you’d like to explore your mission, get feedback, or just reflect with someone who’s been there — I’d love to connect.

👉 Feel free to reach out or book a free 30-minute call via my website:

https://calendly.com/sarahbodo/mission-coach

Let’s create the space for it — together.

Find Your Wave,

Sarah 🌊