Finding meaning in our work.
Start Crafting Your Meaningful Work Today
To have a great life, to be at our best, to be resilient, we must find meaning in our life. Imagine having a strong sense of purpose as you contribute to something greater than yourself. Imagine having a job that is fulfilling in this way.
Now think about the job you have right now. The work that you do most days of the week.
What if meaningful work like this is already within your reach?
“Job crafting is defined as the physical and cognitive changes individuals make in the task or relational boundaries of their work. From the most routine to the most complex jobs, and from the lowest to the highest tiers of an organization employees can reframe the purpose of the job and experience the work differently.” Wrzesniewski, et al.
This powerful research shows that by changing our perspective we can find meaning in our work. It is a reminder that it is us that assign meaning in our lives. Meaning isn’t something objective it is something that we decide and that we find if we choose to.
A further aspect found in the research is that it can change the actual tasks in subtle as well more substantial ways. For instance the research found that hospital janitors chose to spend time with hospital patients in order to provide comfort to them and their families even though this work is not part of their job.
I have been feeling unfulfilled in my work and not sure what to do about it. Now I know where to start. Before doing anything drastic I will reconnect with the meaningful impact I make through my work as it is now. I am excited to find meaning that I have never realized before. After I find this meaning I may find subtle shifts in my existing tasks that can emphasize that meaning and impact.
This can be done in my work for myself where I have nearly unlimited freedom. I can also do this with my contract work where I have a lot less freedom. Finally I can also do this in my one day per week job doing retail work where I have the least amount of freedom.
It is funny that even with my daily gratitude practice, which is a daily perspective-shifting practice, I never thought about using these perspective-shifting skills to find meaning in my work. I am excited to see how this shift in perspective will change my day to day work life. Actually even writing this I already feel better about my work.
So many possibilities are opening up and all of it is within my reach because all I have to do is change my thinking.
Finding meaning in what you do is one of the most important dimensions of resilience.
~Amy Richman
In what ways are you grateful to find meaning in your work?
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]