What’s meaningful to you?
When we think of finding meaning at work, we often think of making a difference in the world. From the outside, its easy to see that working in a charity or as a doctor or spiritual leader could have inherent meaning. And what about the rest of us? Is your work meaningful?
Or maybe the real question is: Can you find meaning in your work? In my coaching conversations, we often look for what is meaningful – or – fulfilling to an individual. It’s about being clear about what’s important to you and finding – or creating – it in your life and work. And how would you recognize it in your current work?
I had a recent conversation with a woman who works in marketing. She’s much happier in her new work in social media than her previous work in promotions. As we talked more deeply about her experience, what became clear is what she finds meaningful in her work.
The difference in meaning for her, lies in the nature of the interaction with ultimate customers. In promotions, there was little two-way dialogue. She wasn’t sure the impact of her work on the customer – even if the customer seemed happy about a coupon or product sample, it wasn’t a relationship. What’s satisfying for her in creating social media marketing activities, is that she’s creating a dialogue, sometimes even a deeper conversation. And for her, that’s what meaningful in her work.
And btw, for someone else the excitement of the moment or face-to-face promotional ‘experience’ would be more fulfilling and meaningful. It just wasn’t for this person.
So what’s meaningful for you in your work? What could you find, change or create to make your work more meaningful?
Be yourself. Go beyond.
