The STEP Formula®

Skills + True Enjoyment + Environment = Purpose Alignment. Featured in Molly Smith’s bestselling book, What the Funk?!

What Is the STEP Formula®?

A Framework for Purpose Alignment

See what’s missing—and where to adjust.

When your abilities, enjoyment, and environment stop working together, even a life that looks successful can feel unfulfilling. The STEP Formula® helps you identify the source of that misalignment so you can make a focused change instead of questioning everything.

SkillsYour strengths, talents, experience, and the abilities you have developed along the way. Alignment grows when you have a meaningful place to use them.
True EnjoymentThe activities, projects, and experiences that genuinely energize you—not simply the things you are capable of doing or expected to enjoy.
EnvironmentThe people, culture, spaces, and conditions that support your growth. Even meaningful work can feel heavy in an environment that does not fit.
When all three work togetherPurpose Alignment
Take the Pressure Off

Your job does not have to provide everything.

Purpose alignment can come through more than paid work. The goal is to create at least one outlet where your skills, enjoyment, and environment can work together.

Your workA role, project, or responsibility that fits more of who you are.
A side pursuitA business, creative project, or idea you build beyond your primary job.
VolunteeringA meaningful cause where your strengths and values have room to contribute.
Community or hobbiesPlaces that give you energy, connection, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Find the Misalignment

Which part might be missing?

A funk around purpose can be useful information. Instead of questioning your entire path, start by identifying the specific part that feels out of sync.

If Skills are missing

You may enjoy the work and like the environment, but feel stretched, underprepared, or unable to use your strongest abilities.

If True Enjoyment is missing

You may be capable and well supported, yet feel disconnected from the work itself. Look for projects or outlets that bring genuine interest back.

If Environment is missing

You may love what you do and do it well, but the culture, people, or conditions drain the energy and meaning from it.

Your Next Best Step

Start with the part that feels out of sync.

1
Choose one area of lifeYour job, a side pursuit, volunteering, or another important commitment.
2
Identify what is missingLook honestly at Skills, True Enjoyment, and Environment.
3
Make one targeted adjustmentTake a practical step toward greater fulfillment instead of trying to redesign everything at once.
What the Funk book by Molly Smith
Featured in Molly’s Bestselling Book

Go deeper with What the Funk?!

In Part 3 of What the Funk?!, Molly shares what it was like to be a corporate executive whose work looked successful but felt out of alignment—and how she used what eventually became the STEP Formula® to shift what she was doing and create greater purpose alignment. The framework helps you examine Skills, True Enjoyment, and Environment so you can see what may need to change in your own work or career.

Explore the Book Explore Free Resources

STEP Formula® is a registered trademark of Next Best Step LLC.

The STEP Formula® walks you through three powerful pillars: Skills are your strengths, talents, and past wins you can build on. True Enjoyment is about the activities and experiences that light you up and keep you energized. Environment focuses on the spaces, people, and systems you need in place to thrive.

When these three areas are aligned, they reveal your Purpose Alignment—a clear direction that feels good and delivers results.

How We’ll Work the STEP Formula® Together

1. STEP Formula® Coaching Session – Start with a 1:1 or group session where we use the STEP Formula® to clarify your Skills, True Enjoyment, and Environment.

2. Strategy & Next Steps – Together, we’ll review your STEP profile and create an action plan that feels aligned, realistic, and inspiring.

3. Ongoing Support – Keep momentum with continued coaching, group programs, and tools that help you integrate the STEP Formula® into your daily life.

Ready to get started?

1:1 Coaching with the

STEP Formula®

Personalized coaching to uncover where you’re out of alignment and create a plan that feels doable and inspiring.

Group Coaching &

Masterminds

For leadership teams, entrepreneurs, and organizations ready to level up performance and culture.

Bring the STEP Formula® to Your Team

For HR leaders & organizations who want to support employee well-being, alignment, and performance, I offer consulting & team workshops using the STEP Formula® framework.

Learn more about The STEP Formula®