How to Recognize Anxiety as a Signal that Your Purpose is Misaligned

How do you know when it's time to make a significant strategic move? For me, the signal was subtle but unmistakable: the shift from purpose-driven problem-solving energy to persistent anxiety. This internal compass has guided every major business decision I've made, from leaving a successful biotech career to launching a skincare company that others might see as completely misguided.

I've always had the entrepreneurial drive. Back in my twenties, while my plan was to start a skincare brand that made sense for my problematic skin, I started with a communications and marketing company. I designed, photographed, developed marketing plans before it was trendy—I was constantly experimenting. But life led me down the corporate path when I became a chemist, pursued a PhD, and discovered incredible opportunities in biotechnology that simply hadn't existed during the recession of the 1990s.

The Purpose-Passion Paradox

For nearly two decades, I thrived in the biotech world, evolving, learning and applying my expertise in oncology and immunology. The work had deep purpose—I was genuinely helping patients, potentially changing the course of people's lives. But here's what I've learned about purpose-driven entrepreneurs: When your purpose shifts, staying aligned with someone else's mission becomes more challenging than any external risk.

"As passionate people, we entrepreneurs pour ourselves into whatever we do. This intensity is our superpower, but it's also our vulnerability."

As passionate people, we entrepreneurs pour ourselves into whatever we do. This intensity is our superpower, but it's also our vulnerability. I was traveling internationally, climbing toward VP roles, fully engaged—until I wasn't. The company restructured, and I found myself in a situation where the focus had shifted in ways that didn't align with my values.

That disconnect taught me something crucial about strategic business decisions: persistent anxiety often signals values misalignment, while problem-solving energy indicates alignment. Fear is different—when you feel scared but energized, that's often your inner compass saying "this is exactly where you need to go". Research from Deloitte confirms that companies with well-integrated purpose grow three times faster and experience 40% higher employee retention—making this internal compass both personally valuable and strategically sound.

Redefining Success: From Climbing to Building

Corporate success was about climbing—moving toward VP roles, international positions, managing larger teams. But somewhere along that climb, I realized I was chasing someone else's definition of success. Did I really want to manage more people? Did I want to be traveling to exotic places while thinking about how I'd rather be with my family?

Entrepreneurial success feels completely different. It's about fulfillment, alignment, and impact. But more importantly, it's about ownership over your own definition of success. When customers tell me my products changed their lives—their daily routine anyway, that validation carries weight because it's aligned with my mission: science-backed, simplified solutions for peace of mind.

The Naivety Advantage and Second-Time Confidence

Twenty-five years earlier, in my twenties, I'd wondered, "Who am I to develop something that makes sense for the skin when the big labs haven't figured it out?" But in my forties, I realized: If I don't do it, the big labs won't, because they're focused on other things entirely.

This shift represents something deeper about entrepreneurial confidence. First-time entrepreneurs often succeed because of naivety—they don't know what they don't know. But experienced entrepreneurs have a different advantage: They understand that expertise plus fresh perspective often beats pure experience.

I had to reprogram my thinking, unlearn some of the lies I had been told...even though from a biochemist's standpoint, I knew they didn't make sense. When my initial approach of putting 35 ingredients into one product didn't work, I developed an adaptable system instead. That problem-solving approach taught me that innovation often requires letting go of conventional wisdom.

Crisis as Catalyst: The Power of Forced Integration

The real catalyst came during what felt like a crisis moment. My son was diagnosed with a brain tumor—he's doing great now—but that experience forced me to see connections I'd been missing. The company moved me from oncology to immunology, and that's where everything clicked.

"Sometimes our biggest breakthroughs happen when multiple pressures force us to connect dots we couldn't see before."

We kept discussing the microbiome in immunology, and my naturally curious mind started wondering about the skin microbiome. What I discovered was the missing piece that could make skincare formulations actually make sense. The global microbiome skincare market reached $405.6 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at 10.9% annually—but most brands still weren't considering this fundamental science. Meanwhile, my teenage daughter was struggling with the same skin issues that had made me want to become a chemist in the first place.

Here's the entrepreneurial insight: Crisis doesn't just test you—it forces integration of previously disconnected knowledge. My communications background, chemistry expertise, corporate experience, and personal pain points suddenly converged into a clear vision. Sometimes our biggest breakthroughs happen when multiple pressures force us to connect dots we couldn't see before.

The Integration Superpower

Throughout this journey, I've recognized myself as what I call an "integrator"—someone who sees connections across multiple dimensions and can synthesize them into simplified solutions. This is both my strength and my challenge. I see everything: the science, the business implications, the environmental impact, the human need.

For fellow entrepreneurs, this integration ability is often our secret weapon, but it can also paralyze us. We see so many angles that we struggle to make decisive moves. The key is recognizing that your ability to connect dots others miss is precisely what creates competitive advantage.

Everything I do—from skin microbiome science to sustainable chemistry to debunking marketing myths—stems from this integration philosophy. One human skin, one human planet. It all connects. And it's all aligned with purpose.

The Anxiety Test for Strategic Decisions

Here's the diagnostic framework I've developed for major business moves: Pay attention to your internal energy patterns. Persistent anxiety about your current direction often signals misalignment with either market opportunity or personal values. Conversely, when you're constantly thinking about something but feel energized—even if scared—rather than anxious, you've likely identified your next strategic move.

This distinction matters for entrepreneurs evaluating new ventures, market expansions, or even exit strategies. The anxiety test becomes particularly valuable during complex decision-making periods when multiple opportunities exist. Your internal response often reveals which direction aligns with both your capabilities and market realities.

Remember: Fear and anxiety are different companions. Anxiety drains you; aligned fear energizes you. Follow your fear—it often points toward growth.

The “Get To” vs. “Have To” Principle

There's a fundamental shift that happens when you align with your values: The transition from "I have to do this" to "I get to do this”. When your work serves your core purpose, even the mundane tasks become meaningful.

"When your work serves your core purpose, even the mundane tasks become meaningful."

This principle extends beyond individual motivation to strategic decision-making. It's also about finding balance—moderation in everything becomes its own compass. When you're aligned with your purpose but also practicing moderation, you achieve something precious: peace of mind.

The most successful entrepreneurs I've observed understand that bringing your vision to life requires both strategic thinking and operational execution. The magic happens when you can maintain connection to your larger purpose while managing the daily details that make vision reality, all while maintaining the balance that brings, ultimately, peace of mind.

Contributed by Dr. Mireille Vega, PhD—known as "Dr. Mimi V"—is the founder and CEO of VGAM and a speaker at the 2025 EO Women Global Summit. She is the pioneer behind Skin Science 3.0—a paradigm shift that recognizes skin as a living system shaped by hormones, history, and lived experience. She is on a mission to transform complex biochemistry into simple, science-backed solutions for women at every life stage.