In a world where companies often talk about passion and purpose, it’s easy to believe that everyone finds meaning in their work. However, for all the fine corporate words, finding meaning in your job can be quite a difficult and personal thing. But it’s absolutely worth doing — because it can transform your work and even your life.
Finding meaning at work can improve your motivation and engagement. Having something you believe in can inspire you to excel; make you happier, more productive, and more motivated; and help you keep going when times are tough. It is literally a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
So how do you go about it?
Look for big goals
There is a famous story about US President John F. Kennedy visiting the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and asking a janitor what he did. The janitor replied, “I’m helping to put a man on the moon.” This tale may or may not be true, but it encapsulates the inspirational power of having a greater goal. Everything you do, even if it’s emptying a wastepaper basket, becomes part of that goal. It doesn’t have to be as grand as putting a man on the moon either — it might be launching a new product that will change the market, making customers’ lives easier, or saving taxpayers’ money. The point is to find the place where you are making a genuine difference.
Notice your impact on colleagues
Meaning isn’t just about big goals. The positive effect you have on others can be a powerful driver, too. So, look around you. Perhaps you’ve trained and mentored a direct report who is now going places. Perhaps you’ve helped a colleague deal with a tricky situation. Perhaps you’ve helped your team hit their goals or made your boss look good. These are all things to be proud of.
Think, too, about relationships at work. A sense of camaraderie and shared endeavour, community, friends, and bonds are all part of a meaningful life. Look, also, at people you interact with outside the company such as customers and suppliers. Research by Adam Grant, a professor at Wharton Business School in the US, shows that employees who see the positive impact of their work on others are both happier and more productive.
Take time out
Sometimes, you need to “stop and smell the roses”. This applies in ways large and small. Taking small breaks during the workday — such as ten-minute walks — can refresh you and encourage a more mindful existence. You return to the task you were doing recharged. Taking longer breaks, such as proper holidays when you switch off, can give you a chance to really take stock and get some perspective on what you do and where you’re going. It’s notable that, after a longer break, many people genuinely look forward to going back to work and re-engaging with their jobs.
Reflect on what you’re good at
There is real satisfaction in a job well done. So, think back on your achievements. What are they and what has been their effect on others and the wider world? What makes you proud and what would give you prestige in the eyes of others? Think, too, about what you’re good at right now. Where do you personally add value and make a difference? It’s always a good idea to audit your job in this way anyhow — you should always be trying to focus on the areas you enjoy and are good at.
Consider what work gives you in life
The French, famously, are said to work to live — and there is something in this. One of the main reasons most people work is to support their lifestyle. An obvious place to start here is that if you have a family, you may work to provide for them. Thinking about this can be a source of meaning and pride. But there are other things, too. Perhaps you work partly to fund adventurous holidays. Perhaps you work to fund hobbies, pastimes, or other activities. It doesn’t really matter: Just think about the positive things that working enables you to do.
Ensure you have enough autonomy
Feeling that you are in control and can affect outcomes is a powerful driver of satisfaction at work. Conversely, being micromanaged and having no control can leave you demotivated, disengaged, and even depressed. So, if you don’t feel you have enough autonomy, speak to your boss and ask them for more latitude in decision-making. Tell them you want more responsibility and more opportunities to use your initiative. Similarly, if you are a boss, give your staff as much autonomy as you can — and support them when they need it.
Learn and become an expert
Jobs can often start to lose their meaning when we feel we’re stuck in a rut. But there are a number of things you can do to start moving forward again. One is to look at any training or development courses your company might offer and avail yourself of them. The second is to look at development outside the company. But the third, which may be the best in terms of finding meaning, is to simply start reading around your job. Learn new things that enable you to do your work better and more productively. Really drill down and cultivate your expertise. Become the person your colleagues go to for advice.
Think about where you’ll be in 5 years’ time
Your career is a journey, and being able to envisage where you will be in the future gives you a sense of destination. It forces you to think about what success looks like to you, your work/life balance, your ambitions, and so on. You should also look at the steps you will need to take to get there. Again, this is a useful exercise. If you cannot see yourself with your present company in five years or the prospect fills you with dread, you need to make meaningful changes.
Visit the Global Career Hub from AICPA & CIMA for help with finding a job or recruiting.
— Rhymer Rigby is an FM magazine contributor and author of The Careerist: Over 100 Ways to Get Ahead at Work. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Oliver Rowe at Oliver.Rowe@aicpa-cima.com.
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