What are the most effective ways to find meaning in your work?

The greatest truth we must face is the truth within ourselves. We can deceive the whole world with elaborate facades, but we cannot escape our own conscience. If ever you find your work clashes with your core values, heed that inner voice. Though incentives may cloud our vision in the moment, in time we always return to what we know to be right. Standing firmly in your truth and acting accordingly takes courage, for there are always easier roads. But living aligned with your deepest wisdom brings peace of mind no external achievement could hope to grant. I remind myself often: be true to your own heart, the rest will follow.

Start with introspection and clearly articulate your core values. After all, they shape your life's trajectory. What drives you? What principles underpin your choices? Do you also find them at the workplace? If yes, then the cultural values of your organisation resonate with your core value set. It is also crucial to recognise and respect your role's significance in the larger scheme of things. Study the impact your work causes. How does your expertise ripple through the organization? Identifying your unique contribution, no matter how seemingly big or small, is pivotal. The ability to look at this big picture helps you appreciate your work, and this awareness connects you to a larger purpose.

Aligning work with personal values is key for meaningful careers. Values, the principles guiding decisions and goals, shape satisfaction and authenticity. Understanding and prioritizing your values helps choose suitable roles and companies, enhancing decision-making and goal-setting. This alignment boosts motivation, engagement, and reduces stress and inner conflict. Challenges include conflicts between personal and organizational values, and evolving values over time. Strategies involve regular self-reflection, feedback, and professional development. Executive coaches aid in discovering and aligning values, offering objective perspectives

Absolutely, finding meaning in your work is an ongoing journey that often begins within oneself. Aligning your work with your personal values is a crucial step in this process. Your values act as a compass, guiding your choices and actions, both personally and professionally. Identifying your core values is an introspective process that involves understanding what truly matters to you. When your work is in harmony with these values, it can significantly enhance your sense of purpose, motivation, and engagement in what you do.

The best way to find meaning in your work is to be real about your gifts and talents. Then be open to learn more, shift your perspectives and to pivot when things don’t work out. Try different careers, don’t be afraid to fail and don’t listen to naysayers or negative souls. Ultimately, one has to know and value themselves enough to listen and learn while not internalizing criticism or believing not-deserved accolades from people who aren’t in a position to truly understand or value the people they manage. I led several lives while working my great corporate job. I used my compassionate gifts to serve as lay minister/chaplain in a hospital setting. I also engaged in meaningful volunteer work. Expand your horizons to find meaning.

I think that organizations have made giving and receiving feedback/recognition so fake and robotic. It starts with building relationships and connections with others. Connecting with others will lead to a more authentic relationship where there is very clear communication and accountability. When you developed solid relationships, feedback and recognition happens organically and isn’t so stiff and sterile.

When I was early to my career (and life) , I found it difficult to seek and sometimes understand feedback. I would take it in some way as a personal failure, instead of what it should have been, a chance to grow. I’ve found that since I have asked for feedback from peers, friends and family, it has only helped me to evolve myself as a person. Finding a framework to also give feedback was a game changer, I would recommend checking out the traffic light principle for constructive feedback

Let’s be honest. Your day to day projects won’t always fill you with joy and get you excited to start your work day. But creating opportunities to work on projects aligned to your personal passions and interests, while developing new skills and supporting business objectives, is an excellent way to find meaning in your work. For me, that looks like ideating fun video projects, starting an initiative for a cause I care about, participating in ERGs or social committees, or finding trending inspiration to share with the team. What can it look like for you?

Passions and interests should align with your core strengths and purpose. Anything that is meaningful takes time and sweat. A clearly defined value proposition focused on your core strengths is critical to keep you aligned with your passions and interests.

I believe that pursuing passion projects is not only beneficial for new creatives, but also for experienced professionals. I have always been passionate about passion projects, and during my time reviewing student applications at a previous job, I noticed that many portfolios were unremarkable and lacked originality. However, the ones that stood out to me all had one thing in common - passion projects. Recently, I have been researching creatives who inspire me, and I have noticed that they all attribute their success to their passion projects. Therefore, I strongly recommend that everyone should take on passion projects and pursue their creative interests.

When you're young, you spend lots of your school day doing things you enjoy. You're constantly playing; everything is a game with very little to lose, so you throw yourself in with gusto. At this age, you don’t yet acknowledge other people’s opinions, you don’t compare yourself to others, and you don’t worry about being ‘good at’ something - just whether or not it's fun. This youthful attitude is key to finding meaning in your work. What makes it fun, enjoyable or pleasurable? Are you doing something where those emotions feel possible? If not, what WOULD feel fun, enjoyable and pleasurable? Often what will bring you most meaning is something deeply un-complicated; something your seven-year-old self would love. What might that be?

When you first start your career, connecting with others, may at its core, not be seen as valuable, or inversely seen as “sucking up” You have to realise that your peers are human as well, they have a wealth of knowledge to share, and more importantly build upon shared experiences as you work closely with them. I have been surprised the number of times one of my colleagues has looked at the same problem from a different angle and noticed the missing piece that helps move forward

Connection to others is critical to success not only in work but life. Human beings are social creatures and crave connection. By taking the effort to truly connect and be human with others, it help to bring you fully in alignment with your higher self.

My doctoral thesis was on Workplace Friendship, and it highlighted that people with friends at work were overall more engaged in their work (wanted to see / support each other to be successful) and ultimately less likely to burn out. Whilst you might not be friends with all your colleagues, managers, clients or stakeholders - it's important to still find ways to connect with them through shared interests and hobbies.

For me, meaning in my work comes alive through connecting with my co-workers, managers, clients, or beneficiaries. These relationships go beyond tasks—they provide support, valuable feedback, and collaborative opportunities. Sharing our values and experiences not only builds trust but also enriches my emotional and professional well-being, making work more than just a job.

Whenever I have felt burned out, unappreciated, or unclear about what I was getting out of a particular job, I've always carved out time to think about my purpose. Sometimes, we focus too much on the obvious: the day-to-day tasks, big projects, KPIs. But especially as a people manager, it's the impact that I have on the lives of people that I manage that truly make work have meaning. I'm never more grateful and satisfied with my work than when I know I've helped other people grow, learn, and expand in their careers.

Impact means "forceful contact" which then leads to a change. This way of making a difference does happen - think about activism or pressure groups - but on an individual level it isn't sustainable. Think about how much 'impact' a meteor has when it hits a planet; is that the sort of energy you can bring to work every day? Instead, reflect on your influence in what you do. Influence is a "compelling force" and was originally used to refer to ethereal spiritual entities who affected the lives of mortals - often invisibly. The influence you have on others in your work will be profound - and it might also be subtle, gentle or even hidden. How are you subtly, gently, profoundly changing the world in what you do?

Consider your impact on others, too. Nothing creates a greater sense of fulfilment than being able to inspire / inform / help someone else. I think a lot of meaning in our work can come from this.

In my pursuit of meaning at work, I embrace my passions and interests. These aspects aren't just personal delights; they infuse joy and inspiration into my professional journey. This isn't just about me—it's a leadership approach that fosters creativity and enjoyment for the entire team, making our collective experience more fulfilling. For me, meaning in my work comes alive through connecting with my co-workers, managers, clients, or beneficiaries. These relationships go beyond tasks—they provide support, valuable feedback, and collaborative opportunities. Sharing our values and experiences not only builds trust but also enriches my emotional and professional well-being, making work more than just a job.

Consider joining a nonprofit board of directors -- to contribute valuable experience and expertise to help advance an organization whose mission is important to you. Nonprofit board service is a uniquely effective leadership development opportunity -- for you to add value, while also learning about issues that are vital to your community, and meeting and working with people from different backgrounds and who share a common passion. The learning and growing goes back and forth -- contributing your business experience as a board member, while also bringing your newfound leadership experience back to your workplace. Studies on my website provide more information about the value of nonprofit board experience.

What else to consider you ask? Ask yourself are you in the space you want to be right now? Would you be happier in a totally different role. One of the hardest things to admit, after much work, effort and study, is that your current career path may not be for you, and that it is time to go back to the drawing board

I would add finding the best work practice for you. It took me years to understand HOW I like working the most and to develop my own creative and business model that might not be suitable for anyone else but me. Not only that my personal creative process revolves around collaboration but it's also stress-reducing. I get a lot of feedback from my clients that my creative process leaves them relaxed and joyful.

What else to consider you ask? Ask yourself are you in the space you want to be right now? Would you be happier in a totally different role. One of the hardest things to admit, after much work, effort and study, is that your current career path may not be for you, and that it is time to go back to the drawing board

While work can be a significant aspect of a person's life and contribute to a sense of purpose, it's crucial to recognise that the meaning of work does not define your identity. Seeing yourself in a more holistic way, considering all aspects of your life and not just your job, helps you understand how diverse and fulfilling your life can be. It makes you stronger and more well-rounded as a person which impacts your resilience professionally.