Top 17 'Purpose-Plotting' Book Adaptations to watch for When You're Questioning Your Career Path - Goh Ling Yong
It’s Sunday evening. That familiar, gentle dread begins to creep in, a shadow cast by the impending Monday morning. You find yourself scrolling through job listings, not out of necessity, but out of a vague, nagging feeling of discontent. You ask the big, scary questions: "Is this it? Am I on the right path? What is my purpose?"
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Navigating the labyrinth of a modern career can feel isolating and confusing. We're often so busy meeting deadlines and climbing the ladder that we forget to ask if we're even on the right ladder. Sometimes, the best way to gain perspective on our own story is to lose ourselves in someone else's. Fictional narratives and true-life accounts offer a powerful space for reflection, providing us with maps, mirrors, and a much-needed dose of inspiration.
This is what I call ‘Purpose-Plotting’—using the power of story to explore our own career and life trajectories. And what better source for rich, character-driven stories than book adaptations? These films and series take beloved narratives and bring them to life, allowing us to see and feel the struggles and triumphs of characters grappling with the very same questions we do. So, grab your popcorn, suspend your disbelief, and let's dive into 17 purpose-plotting book adaptations that might just help you find your professional north star.
1. The Devil Wears Prada (based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger)
This is the quintessential "I'm losing myself for a job" cautionary tale. Andy Sachs, a bright-eyed journalism graduate, lands a coveted job as the assistant to the formidable fashion editor Miranda Priestly. She believes that a year of hard work in this cutthroat environment will be her golden ticket to a "real" journalism job.
The film brilliantly captures the seductive pull of a prestigious career and the slow erosion of personal values that can come with it. Andy’s transformation from a frumpy, earnest writer to a chic, high-strung assistant is a masterclass in assimilation. The purpose-plotting lesson here is about knowing your non-negotiables. It forces you to ask: How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for a career goal? Is the person this job is turning you into someone you still recognize and respect?
Career Tip: Use the "Miranda Priestly Test." Look at your current role and its demands. Are they sharpening your skills and building your character, or are they chipping away at your friendships, health, and core identity? Recognizing the difference is the first step toward reclaiming your path.
2. Wild (based on the memoir by Cheryl Strayed)
Sometimes, a career crisis isn't just about the job; it's about life itself. After a series of personal tragedies, Cheryl Strayed’s life spirals out of control. In a desperate act of self-reclamation, she decides to hike over a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, with absolutely no prior experience.
Wild isn't about finding a new job, but about finding a new self—one strong enough to build a life on. It’s a raw, powerful story about resilience, grieving, and the profound clarity that can come from pushing your physical and mental limits. It teaches us that sometimes you have to completely disconnect from the life you knew to figure out the life you want.
Career Tip: You don’t need to hike the PCT to find clarity. Take a "micro-hike." This could be a weekend digital detox, a solo trip to a nearby town, or simply taking a full day to walk and think without a destination. The goal is to remove the noise of daily life so you can hear your own voice again.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness (based on the memoir by Chris Gardner)
If you’re feeling like the odds are insurmountably stacked against you, this film is a shot of pure, unadulterated perseverance. It tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a salesman who finds himself homeless with his young son while trying to land a life-changing, unpaid internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm.
This story is a gut-wrenching and ultimately uplifting look at the power of self-belief and relentless hustle. It’s about defining your own version of success and being willing to endure immense hardship to achieve it for the sake of your family and your future. It reminds us that our circumstances do not have to define our destiny.
Career Tip: Identify your "why." Chris Gardner's "why" was his son. When you're facing rejection and exhaustion, a powerful intrinsic motivation is what will keep you going. What is the deep, personal reason you're striving for change? Write it down and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.
4. Julie & Julia (based on books by Julie Powell and Julia Child)
This film is a warm, delightful exploration of finding purpose through passion projects. It intertwines the stories of two women: Julia Child in the 1950s, discovering her love for French cooking, and Julie Powell in the early 2000s, a disillusioned government worker who vows to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's cookbook in one year and blog about it.
Julie & Julia is perfect for anyone feeling stuck in a monotonous job and dreaming of a more creative, fulfilling life. It shows that purpose doesn't always come from a grand, singular calling. It can be found in a daily practice, in dedicating yourself to something you love, even if it starts as just a hobby. Julie's blog gives her a voice and a community, ultimately transforming her life.
Career Tip: Start a "low-stakes" project. Don't wait for the perfect idea or the perfect time. Pick a small, manageable project related to something you're curious about—learning a new skill, starting a blog, or mastering a recipe. The act of creating and completing something for yourself is a powerful antidote to career stagnation.
5. Hidden Figures (based on the non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly)
This inspiring film tells the true story of three brilliant African-American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who were the brains behind some of NASA's greatest operations during the Space Race. They fought against systemic racism and sexism to prove their indispensable worth.
The central theme is about recognizing and fighting for your value, especially when the world tries to render you invisible. Dorothy Vaughan teaches herself and her colleagues the FORTRAN programming language when she sees their jobs are about to become obsolete. Mary Jackson fights the system to become NASA’s first black female engineer. Katherine Johnson's mathematical genius earns her a seat at tables no one who looked like her had ever sat at before. It's a profound reminder that your unique skills have immense value.
Career Tip: Proactively upskill. Like Dorothy Vaughan, look ahead at the trends in your industry. What skills will be essential in 3-5 years? Start learning them now. Don't wait for your role to become redundant; make yourself indispensable by being a step ahead.
6. The Queen's Gambit (based on the novel by Walter Tevis)
While Beth Harmon’s journey is centered on the world of competitive chess, this series is a stunning allegory for mastering a craft and battling personal demons. An orphan prodigy, Beth’s ambition to become the world's greatest chess player is both her driving force and a source of her self-destructive tendencies.
This is a story for anyone who has a deep, almost obsessive passion for their work. It explores the relationship between genius and madness, the loneliness of being at the top of your field, and the importance of collaboration and support, even for the most singular talents. It shows that true mastery requires not just intellect, but emotional and psychological fortitude.
Career Tip: Find your "council." Beth eventually realizes she can't win alone. She relies on a team of former rivals and friends to help her prepare. In your career, who is your council? Identify mentors, peers, and advocates who can challenge your thinking, support your growth, and celebrate your wins.
7. The Martian (based on the novel by Andy Weir)
"I'm going to have to science the shit out of this." This one line perfectly encapsulates the spirit of The Martian. When astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead and left behind on Mars, he must rely on his ingenuity and scientific expertise to survive.
This is the ultimate story about problem-solving and resilience in the face of impossible odds. Watney doesn't despair (for long); he breaks down his monumental problem ("I'm stuck on Mars and will starve") into a series of smaller, manageable tasks ("How do I make water? How do I grow food?"). It’s a powerful lesson in focusing on what you can control and tackling one problem at a time.
Career Tip: Adopt the "What's the next right step?" mindset. When you feel overwhelmed by a massive career challenge (like a job search or a huge project), don't focus on the finish line. Just ask yourself: what is the single, tangible thing I can do right now to move forward? Then do it.
8. Moneyball (based on the book by Michael Lewis)
How do you compete when you don't have the same resources as everyone else? You change the game. This is the true story of Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's, who used statistical analysis (sabermetrics) to build a winning baseball team on a shoestring budget.
Moneyball is a masterclass in challenging conventional wisdom and finding value where others don't. Beane and his analyst Peter Brand ignored the gut feelings of old-school scouts and instead focused on data to find undervalued players. It's a story for anyone feeling constrained by the "way things have always been done" in their industry. As my friend Goh Ling Yong often says, real innovation comes from questioning the core assumptions of your field.
Career Tip: Question industry dogma. In your job or industry, what is a widely held belief that might be outdated? Is there a different way to measure success or identify talent? Challenge yourself to look at the data and see if it tells a different story. This is how you create unique value.
9. Little Women (based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott)
Greta Gerwig's adaptation beautifully captures the struggles of the March sisters as they navigate their ambitions, societal expectations, and personal desires. Each sister represents a different path: Meg chooses family, Beth art for its own sake, Amy pragmatic ambition, and Jo a fierce, uncompromising literary career.
The film's most potent career lesson comes from Jo. She battles to be a writer on her own terms, refusing to conform to the simple romantic plots publishers demand. It’s a powerful story about artistic integrity, the financial realities of creative work, and the negotiation between your passion and the marketplace.
Career Tip: Define what "selling out" means to you. Every career involves compromise. The key is to know which compromises are acceptable and which ones violate your core creative or personal principles. Draw a line in the sand for yourself before you're faced with the decision.
10. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (based on the short story by James Thurber)
Walter Mitty is a "negative assets manager" (a photo archivist) for Life Magazine, living a gray, monotonous life punctuated by elaborate daydreams of heroism and adventure. When the negative for the magazine's final cover goes missing, he is forced to embark on a real-life global adventure to find it.
This film is a beautiful, visually stunning ode to breaking out of your comfort zone. It’s for anyone who feels like their life is happening in their head instead of in the real world. Walter's journey shows that the skills and courage we imagine we have can become real if we just take that first, terrifying step into the unknown.
Career Tip: Schedule an "adventure." It doesn't have to be a trip to Greenland. It could be signing up for an improv class, volunteering for a challenging project at work, or finally starting that conversation you've been dreading. The goal is to do something real that scares you a little.
11. Eat Pray Love (based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert)
After a painful divorce, Liz Gilbert realizes she has been living a life that she was supposed to want, not one she actually desired. She takes a radical year off to travel the world, spending time in Italy (pleasure), India (devotion), and Indonesia (balance).
This is the ultimate "burn it all down and start over" story. It champions the idea that it's never too late to disconnect from a life that isn't working and embark on a journey of pure self-discovery. It gives permission to those who feel they need to get lost in order to find themselves again, and it validates the search for a life path that aligns with your soul, not just your résumé.
Career Tip: Conduct a "life audit." Set aside a few hours and honestly assess the key areas of your life (career, relationships, health, creativity). What is energizing you? What is draining you? This is less about finding a new job and more about understanding what needs to change for you to feel whole again.
12. Into the Wild (based on the non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer)
This is a more extreme and cautionary tale of rejecting societal norms. Top student and athlete Christopher McCandless graduates from college, donates his savings to charity, abandons his car, and sets out to live in the Alaskan wilderness, seeking a life of pure, unadulterated experience.
While his story ends tragically, it poses powerful questions about the definition of a successful life. What is the price of true freedom? What is the difference between solitude and loneliness? It’s a film that forces you to confront the consumerist, achievement-oriented culture we live in and question what you are really working towards.
Career Tip: Define "enough." McCandless's journey was a rejection of "more." In your own career, what does "enough" look like in terms of salary, title, and achievement? Defining your finish line can be a powerful way to escape the "rat race" and build a life of intention.
13. The Social Network (based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich)
This electrifying film chronicles the founding of Facebook, portraying Mark Zuckerberg as a brilliant but socially isolated prodigy driven by a mix of genius, ambition, and deep-seated resentment. It’s a story about how an idea can change the world, and how that process can corrupt relationships and ideals.
The film is a fascinating study in ambition and the ethics of innovation. It asks what we owe to the people who help us along the way and what the human cost of monumental success can be. It’s a vital watch for any aspiring entrepreneur or anyone working in a fast-paced, competitive industry.
Career Tip: Protect your relationships. Ambition can create tunnel vision. Make a conscious effort to nurture the professional and personal relationships that matter. Success is hollow if you arrive at the destination alone.
14. A Man Called Otto (based on the novel A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman)
Otto is a grumpy, rigid widower who has lost his purpose after being forced into retirement and losing his wife. His meticulously planned attempts to end his life are constantly, and comically, interrupted by his vibrant new neighbors, who slowly draw him back into the fabric of community.
This is a beautiful, heartwarming story about finding purpose after your primary identity—whether it’s your job or your role in a relationship—is gone. It shows that our value isn't tied to our productivity or our former titles. Purpose can be found in small acts of service, in being a good neighbor, and in letting new people into our lives.
Career Tip: Look for "post-it note" purpose. Don't wait for a grand new calling. Where can you be useful today? Helping a colleague, mentoring a junior employee, or simply listening to a friend. Small, consistent acts of purpose can reignite a larger sense of meaning.
15. Nomadland (based on the non-fiction book by Jessica Bruder)
After losing everything in the Great Recession, Fern embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. The film blends fiction and reality, featuring many real-life nomads who share their stories.
Nomadland powerfully challenges our conventional ideas of work, home, and community. It explores the freedom and precarity of a life on the road, where work is seasonal and community is found in transient gatherings. It's a meditative and poignant look at a growing subculture of people redefining the American Dream on their own terms.
Career Tip: Detach your identity from your job title. Introduce yourself at a party without mentioning what you do for a living. This simple exercise can reveal how much of your self-worth is tied to your profession and can be the first step in building a more holistic sense of self.
16. Brooklyn (based on the novel by Colm Tóibín)
A young Irish woman named Eilis Lacey immigrates to Brooklyn in the 1950s. She grapples with profound homesickness before slowly building a new life for herself, finding work, love, and a newfound confidence. A family tragedy forces her to return to Ireland, where she is faced with an impossible choice between two futures.
This is a quiet, beautiful film about the terrifying and exhilarating process of starting over. It perfectly captures the feeling of being torn between the comfort of the familiar and the promise of the unknown. It’s a story for anyone considering a major life change—a new city, a new industry—and is afraid of both leaving and staying.
Career Tip: When facing a big decision, make two lists: "What do I gain?" and "What do I lose?" for each option. But add a third, more important list: "Who do I become?" The path that leads you to the version of yourself you most want to be is often the right one.
17. Where the Crawdads Sing (based on the novel by Delia Owens)
Abandoned as a child, Kya Clark raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina, becoming a brilliant self-taught naturalist. Shunned by the local townspeople as the "Marsh Girl," she finds solace and purpose in the natural world, eventually becoming a published author.
Kya's story is one of incredible self-reliance and the power of turning your unique circumstances into your greatest strength. Her deep knowledge of the marsh, born from isolation, becomes her expertise and her livelihood. It’s a powerful message for anyone who feels like an outsider: your unique perspective and unconventional knowledge are not weaknesses, but valuable assets.
Career Tip: Identify your "marsh knowledge." What is the unique expertise you have gained from your specific life experiences, not just your formal training? It could be a deep understanding of a niche community, a skill learned from a hobby, or a perspective gained from overcoming a personal challenge. Find a way to leverage that in your career.
Your Story is Still Being Written
These films won't give you a magical answer or a five-step plan to career nirvana. Their power lies in their ability to make you feel seen, to spark a new question, or to show you a reflection of a path you hadn't considered. They remind us that career journeys are rarely linear. They are messy, full of doubt, and often require us to be brave, resilient, and deeply in tune with ourselves.
The most important takeaway is this: you are the author of your own story. Like Andy, Julie, or Kya, you have the power to edit, revise, or even start a whole new chapter.
Now it's your turn. What book adaptation has inspired you on your career path? Share your favorite 'Purpose-Plotting' movie in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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