According to Gettysburg College, the average person spends around a third of their life at work. That’s quite a scary number! If work takes up such a substantial amount of time, it’s crucial to find some sort of meaning in it.
This can seem challenging. Let’s face it – most people would rather be travelling, enjoying creative hobbies, or spending time with family and friends. But for many of us, this isn’t an option full-time. Bills must be paid, and work allows a level of financial freedom that is necessary to live. Here is why meaning is the answer.
Why meaning?
Philosophers and psychologists alike believe that having meaning in our lives improves happiness and long-term fulfilment.
Philosophers such as John Stuart Mill argue that most people are motivated by the pursuit of happiness or pleasure. I think it’s fair to say that most people want to be happy. However, if personal happiness were the only driving force, many would become self-centred and careless. For most people, it is also important to be kind and to have good relationships, which is where finding meaning comes into play. Relying solely on hedonism would disrupt these relationships and ultimately lead to dissatisfaction and a sense of unfulfillment. After all, not everything in life is enjoyable, and as humans, we naturally seek deeper meaning.
Susan Wolf, the author of Meaning in Life and Why it Matters argues that meaning is crucial and that we can find it in achieving long-term projects, building fulfilling relationships, and living in a way that we feel proud of. For many, a salary just doesn’t cut it anymore. Employees want fulfilment from their work and to feel that their time and effort have an impact.
According to Zendesk, employees who are satisfied with their work are more driven and efficient, and workplaces with high employee satisfaction have higher staff retention rates and customer satisfaction!
What makes work meaningful?
Meaning is entirely subjective. For some, meaning can be found by contributing to something outside of themselves, or to the betterment of society. Others find fulfilment in reaching goals or feeling involved in a community. Essentially, if you feel like something is worth dedicating your time to, there’s a good chance it’s meaningful.
Finding Meaning in Work
Values:
Finding meaning in work begins with reflection. Familiarising yourself with values can help you identify work that could feel meaningful to you. If you can find a workplace that aligns with these values, you are much more likely to have meaning.
For example, if you care about helping people, working in a role, organisation or charity dedicated to improving lives could be beneficial, such as YoungMinds or Action Aid. Jobs like teaching, personal training, therapy and counselling can also align with these values.
Whereas, if it is important to you to pursue creative activities, a company that utilizes your creative skillset might be more fulfilling, such as graphic design, music, or the arts.
Identify Personal Goals:
If you cannot find meaning in your company values, set personal goals. Personal achievement and feeling valued in the workplace can offer a sense of meaning. It’s always nice to feel as if you’re doing well at something, and for many, positive feedback and personal achievement are enough!
Smaller companies can be useful for finding meaning as your personal contributions have a greater impact and influence. Seeing the impact of your work within an organisation can feel very meaningful.
Finding a company where you can take responsibility for your projects and have creative freedom, or control can help your contributions feel more impactful. A company where employees feel this strongly is Quadrant2Design, a UK-based exhibition stand design and build contractor, working worldwide. At Quadrant2Design, Marketing Manager, James Vicefield, offers employees projects to take creative freedom over. He says:
“I find employees are happier when they have some freedom in their projects. I’m always here to offer support, but I want each person to be able to take control, give a direction and run with it.”
Find a Sense of Community:
Building strong relationships with coworkers can help boost meaning at work. When you have better relationships, you feel more relaxed, and confident and let your personality shine through. This authenticity can make your workspace feel more comfortable and your time at work more meaningful!
New Knowledge:
It’s important to remember that work can feel more meaningful when you are actively developing and growing. Show your employer that you are willing to learn, grow, and adapt. Continuous learning can prevent your work environment from becoming stagnant or boring, and it encourages growth and positive change within the company.
Conclusion
Finding meaning in work can be challenging, especially with the current job market. However, it’s crucial for long-term happiness and fulfilment within work.
If your job leaves you feeling unfulfilled or you’re dreading each day, it might be time to look elsewhere. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to change jobs to find meaning. In most workplaces, you can create an environment that allows you to foster meaning.
