I [Heart] My Job!
February 15, 2011
Creating Your Own “Meaning” at Work
In this job market, it’s not easy [or smart] to walk away from a paycheck in hopes that something more meaningful will *poof* simply appear. Creating meaning in the work you do now is a way, not only to make your current job better, but to set yourself up to be ready for a “dream job” when the right time comes.
Let’s keep this short and sweet shall we and get right to the tips for creating meaning in your work.
Live Your Values
First, you have to know what they are. Try this exercise. From this list start by crossing off those values that do not speak to you. Cross out as many as you can that truly are not important to you.
From those that remain, circle only 10 that mean the most to you.
Can you now narrow it to 5?
How about 3? THE 3 most closely held values that define who you are, your behaviors, your attitudes.
Find ways every day to live your values… at work… at home… at play. When we live what we value, life in general has more meaning.
Adopt a Service Attitude
It’s a commonly held truism in psychology that doing something selfless and serving others has very positive outcomes. It helps minimize depression. Lifts us out of the “woe is me” spiral. Supports appreciating what we do have.
In short, adopting a service attitude is rewarding and uplifting.
So try this at work. Find a way to help someone complete a project, meet a deadline, attack some mundane task that might be more “fun” if you do it together. Something for which you expect no reward, recognition or return of the favor.
In the process you may discover some latent passion that was just waiting for the opportunity to be put to good use. Then consider… how can I get to do more of THIS every day? In my current job? In my next job?
Push The Limits of What You “Love”
Seriously, what do you love to do? Are there other tasks, activities, projects, you can jump into at work that you might at least like? Even a little? Push yourself to try volunteer for something new. Yeah yeah, it’s more work, but what if if makes all the difference in your day? Wouldn’t that be worth it?
And what if, after all this, you discover a new talent, a new passion, a new purpose that you can carry over into your next job?
Let me know how it goes! Post your comments here.
And On That Note…
Used with permission from the artist himself.
