Feeling Blah? Cure #4: Purposeful Work

Even before the pandemic, American workers struggled to reach their full potential. In a 2017 study of 14,500 workers, 85% said they were not working to 100% of their potential (Hill & Turiano, 2014). An August 2020 survey of 1,021 U. S. workers conducted by McKinsey & Company also found that nearly two-thirds of US-based employees said that COVID-19 caused them to reflect on their purpose in life. Roughly half said they are reconsidering the type of work they do. Furthermore, 70% of employees said that their work defines their sense of purpose.

When we define our work, having a sense of purpose means that we feel our work is more than just a paycheck or creating value for an organization. It means that we are connected to something bigger than ourselves. While the organization you work for may have a stated, over-arching mission statement, each of us must take responsibility to find our purpose and meaning in our work.

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A PLACE TO BEGIN

Here’s a helpful self-reflection exercise to guide you as you begin to determine your purpose at work. Before you begin, find a quiet, comfortable location. Also, have a pen and journal or paper available to make notes.

• Start by connecting your mind and body by taking 2-3 deep, cleansing breaths.

• As you take your cleansing breaths, notice any tension that you need to release, such as in your neck or shoulders. Take a few additional breaths to help you relax and release that tension.

• Then, consider the following questions and make notes of your responses:

  • Why do you do the work you do?

  • What excites you most about your work?

  • How do you want to make a difference at work?

  • Describe a time when you felt inspired and valued.

Finding your purpose at work is crucial because it means what you do is essential. Purpose gives meaning to our actions. And when we connect meaning to our efforts, not only does our performance improve, but it also helps strengthen our satisfaction and overall enjoyment of our work.

As you consider your purpose at work, keep in mind that it is all about direction. It is broader and deeper than goals. It is a journey, not a destination, and it will likely evolve and grow over time. So, you may want to return to this exercise periodically.

References

Hill, P. L., and Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychol. Sci. 25, 1482–1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614531799

Hogan, N. S., and Schmidt, L. A. (2002). Testing the grief to personal growth model using structural equation modeling. Death Stud. 26, 615–634. doi: 10.1080/07481180290088338