Exploring Fulfillment in the Traditional Workplace

Odd to discuss amid a global pandemic and capitalism; however, I’m a proponent of learning to thrive despite the systems designed to ensure we don’t.

Call it perseverance, if you will.

I contemplated whether I should broach this topic on here. Among my circle of e-friends and other folx I chat with on the web, pleasure is something I discuss often, but when your two worlds collide (in a good way), there’s an undeniable call to answer.

Fulfillment. Is it possible to experience this in traditional workspaces? Those of you who come across this read may affirm this, while others will have a difference of opinion.

Persons in the “trep-life” community express how fulfilled and freeing it is to be your own boss, but this doesn’t work for everyone. Some people need pre-designed structures, eco-systems, and hierarchies to thrive and solidify their career path. The daily grind to ensure there are funds for the next meal or bill is an overwhelming feeling many cannot bear.

Ask me how I know.

Pleasure—an experience we have when we engage in the things that please us. These “things,” I believe, fall into the categories of soothing and satiate—desire and comfort. Can desire and comfort thrive in a 9-to-5 structure?

Before we breakdown, the exhaustion of the 40-hour workweek, PTO, and mindful workplaces, can employees seek and find fulfillment in our organizations and feel as if the work they do serves a greater purpose?

Can they satiate the desire to affect change within an organization’s internal and external community? Are they empowered to use skills outside of their job description within the current culture?

Or are our human resources simply cogs in a bunch of accelerating wheels?

I have seen little of this discussion outside of using fulfillment as a tactic to build brand/company loyalty, but the reality is your fulfilled employees may end up being positioned to continue their journey elsewhere, and I believe we have to be OK with that. We have to be content with employees moving onto the next chapter, but grateful we were catalysts to set them on the right path.

I’ve learned, fulfillment can grow into a stifling tactic with adverse effects for the company and the employee. The next opportunity becomes more enticing, simply because they want to be free from the burden of obligation.

But I’ll bookmark that part of the conversation for now.

Consider this the intro piece to my thoughts on pleasure in the workplace as it relates to fulfillment. A gateway to satisfaction and career success beyond the dollars. Over time, I’ll share some articles I’ve gathered as I deep dive into this topic further, and offer ideas to spark innovation and thoughtfulness in your own work communities.

Have you considered designing a fulfillment-centered workplace? It’s possible this may be the culture of the future.

Series I of many...

ShaVaughn, DEIBA & Pleasure Advocate