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One of the most common challenges for my clients is keeping a sense of purpose alive when the push to achieve quarterly metrics is strong. I hope this article below might be helpful.

-Lisa

3 Ways to Find More Purpose at Work

We’ve all heard the expression, “Nobody lay on their death bed wishing they had another day at the office.”

But the data tells us a different story. In studies of cancer patients facing their dying days, once you got beyond family, doing meaningful work with people they cared about was one of the most important parts of their lives.

We stand in a moment where we are collectively reevaluating. Why are we here? How do we want to spend our time? And in times of hardship, what matters most?

I’d like to suggest: It’s not work that kills our spirits. It’s meaningless work.

This has been a reset like no other, at least in my lifetime. As we gingerly emerge from our shut down, there is a calling for, a demand even, for work to feel more meaningful, and for us to live more purposefully.

In many cases, you don’t have to change your job or life. You can simply change the way you feel about them.

Here are three ways to experience more purpose and meaning at work;

Connect the Dots on Your To-Do List

 Purpose is not an ‘eventual’ feeling. We’re often convinced that fulfillment and happiness will descend on us once complete our to-do list. Or once we achieve certain milestones.

But it doesn’t work that way. We don’t wait for the meaning, we create it. The secret to finding more meaning is connecting your actions to your impact. A simple technique you can use is to look at your to-do list and for each item ask: What impact does this have on others?

Here’s an example. One of my to-do’s is to review the page proofs for the new book we have coming out this fall. I confess, I don’t like editing. Actually, I loathe it. Ideas are fun, but the moment someone asks for my sign off on production details, I’m exhausted.

But it’s important. So here’s the reframe: I review the proofs for looking for ways the content to be more clear and invitational:

• AND THE IMPACT IS I can make purpose-driven leadership more accessible and easier for people to implement.
• AND THEN THE IMPACT IS they take their learnings forward, creating more engaged and inspired teams
• AND THEN THE IMPACT IS hundreds, if not thousands, of people have a better work experience and create an even bigger impact on the world

And all of a sudden, it’s not just reviewing page proofs. I’m reaching inside people’s hearts. I’m now on fire for page proofs. 

You can do the same asking the ‘And what impact does this have on others’ allows you to create a mental picture about how your work makes a difference. It puts meaning into the mundane.

Reverse Your Perspective

Another easy easy way to see your impact is to examine what the world would look like if you didn’t do your job?

You may be tempted to say “it’s just software” or “it’s just a training program” remember this: Oftentimes, your “many” is your customer’s “only.” You may sell hundreds of software packages this year. But they are only going to purchase one. You may hire twenty people. But for the new teammates, this job is their one.

Repetition of tasks tricks our brain into the assumption that the task is mundane or unimportant. When in actuality, these tasks are often of hyper importance to others. 

Deeply connecting to this reminds you, your work matters and you have an impact on real people.

Identify Your Special Sauce

What is the experience of doing business with you? Not your organization. Not your function. You, as a special and unique person.

Do you add humor to your workplace? A strategic view? Do you listen before you ask questions? Identifying special things about you will amplify the impact you have on the people around you.

This crisis has prompted a collective realization that we humans actually like other people. Even the introverts among us. I had a client tell me, “When this is over, I’m not going to eat at my desk anymore, I’ve been through a fire with my people, we’re going to eat in the breakroom, together.”

Consider this quote from French poet Antoine de Saint-Exupery:

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

Instead of simply pushing yourself through your punch list, teach yourself, to see look at the beauty and enormity of the sea. Your work matters and your life matters. Take the time to notice it.