Rediscovering Meaning in Our Work

Despite being a few years old, I found that its message resonated with me powerfully, especially as I have been reflecting on the last six months of 2023. It’s about a concept we often overlook, but one that holds a paramount position in our work lives: finding meaning over fleeting happiness.

The article argues that while being happy at work is fundamental, we, including myself, often find ourselves yearning for something deeper.

Taking stock of my career, I realise I have, at times, conflated happiness with meaning. Sure, happiness can be a rewarding result, but it’s transient. Meaning, however, is enduring, it provides context to our struggles and triumphs, and is deeply connected to our identity and values.

The TLDR version of my takeaways from this article:
🙂 Happiness, though often sought after, is a transient state, and employees are increasingly seeking enduring meaning in their work.

📚 Research has found that employees who derive a sense of purpose from their work report higher job satisfaction and engagement, and are more likely to remain with their current employer.

🙂 Happiness is often tied to immediate needs and desires being met, while deriving meaning from work correlates with long-term values and the self-expression.

👂 Meaningful work often involves facing challenges and contributing to others’ wellbeing.

✍ Practical steps towards creating a meaningful work environment include maintaining a journal of satisfying activities, aligning values and actions, focusing on relationships, and sharing narratives of individuals at their best.

Reflecting on this insightful read led me to two points that I am penning down to remind myself to:
1️⃣ Identify Your Meaningful Activities: As we go about our daily work, it’s important to note which tasks we find deeply satisfying — those that resonate with our values, contribute to our long-term vision, and make us feel we’re making a real difference.

2️⃣ Align Your Actions with Your Values: We find purpose when our work reflects who we are and what we stand for. So let’s ensure our actions align with our core values. Whether it’s mentoring others because you value personal growth, or tackling complex problems because you love a challenge, your values should be at the heart of what you do.

In the pursuit of meaning, we’re likely to find a deeper, more profound sense of fulfillment, one that surpasses momentary happiness. As we navigate our careers, let’s continually reflect, realign, and remember to seek meaning above all.

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