The Importance of Meaning and Purpose in the Workplace

Defining Meaningful Work

I often hear employees ask, “Does what I do matter?” If the answer is no, then why should they keep doing it? At its core, this question isn't just about job satisfaction—it’s about purpose. I see this from two perspectives as a data engineer and an associate licensed psychotherapist (NPI, n/d). From a data standpoint, work is measured in outputs, efficiency, and impact. From a psychological perspective, meaning comes from connection, purpose, and the sense that our contributions matter.

If someone doesn’t see the value in their actions, their motivation drops, engagement declines, and burnout becomes inevitable. However, when people feel their work has meaning—whether through a well-designed system that makes processes smoother or a conversation that helps a colleague—it fuels individual fulfillment and organizational success (Chapman, 2019, p. 18). The real challenge isn’t just defining meaningful work; it’s making sure people feel it in a way that aligns with both human experience and measurable impact.

The Intersection of Science, Meaning, and Perception

This question seems distinct from a physics lens, where matter occupies space and possesses rest mass distinct from energy. Albert Einstein's famous equation E = mc2 connects energy and mass (Einstein, 1905. PP. 639-641; Einstein, 1905, pp. 844-847). A clear distinction between science and emotions is that physics has models by which to measure. Yet, Einstein (1955) reflected in a letter to a friend: "The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." (p. 29).? This sentiment is not with Einstien (1955)? alone. In his study on Atomic Theory, Bohr (1934) stated: "It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is. Physics concerns what we can say about nature" (p. 18). Heisenberg (1958) reflected, “What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning" (p. 58).? Kuhn (1962) discusses paradigm shifts: "Led by a new paradigm, scientists adopt new instruments and look in new places. Even more important, during revolutions, scientists see new and different things when looking with familiar instruments in places they have looked before" (p. 150). Rorty (1979) contends: "There is no way to step outside our beliefs and our language to find some test other than coherence” (p. 377). A scientific person may say that the unit of measure for mass can be just as man-made as the visceral observations not adequately measured by objective units. Mattering, then, may hold concurrent meaning within the same abstraction. We cannot hold all matter in space, time, or at rest, but viscerally, it sometimes feels the same.

The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Meaningful Work

Doing something that matters is about doing something that has meaning.

Meaning is about significance.?

Perceiving one's life as meaningful has been associated with tangible psychological and physical benefits (Costin, 2020, p. 14). Research suggests that experiencing meaning in work is linked to greater job satisfaction, well-being, and overall life fulfillment (Steger et al., 2012). People who find their work meaningful tend to demonstrate higher engagement, motivation, and resilience, particularly in challenging work environments (Bailey & Madden, 2017).

Furthermore, meaningful work has been associated with positive physical health outcomes. For instance, a sense of purpose in life has been linked to lower stress levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and increased longevity (Czekierda et al., 2017). Meaningful work can also mitigate the adverse effects of burnout, as individuals who perceive their work as purposeful report lower levels of emotional exhaustion and job-related stress (Allan et al., 2019).

Additionally, psychological theories support the role of meaning in well-being. Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) suggests that meaning is a core psychological need that enhances motivation and personal growth. Similarly, Frankl (1985) emphasized that finding meaning, even under challenging circumstances, can foster resilience and improve mental health. Organizations that prioritize meaningful work by promoting autonomy, recognition, and alignment with employees’ values contribute to greater employee well-being and organizational success (Lips-Wiersma & Morris, 2009).

Given these findings, it is clear that work that "matters" is not merely about productivity but about fostering a sense of purpose that benefits individuals and organizations.

Conclusion

At the intersection of data, psychology, and human experience, the significance of meaningful work cannot be overstated. Employees who feel their contributions matter experience greater motivation, engagement, and well-being, leading to personal and organizational success. While science seeks to measure the physical world, the human experience of meaning remains deeply subjective, shaped by perception, context, and connection. Organizations that recognize and cultivate meaningful work enhance employee satisfaction and drive long-term sustainability and performance. Ultimately, doing work that matters is more than output—it’s about purpose, impact, and the profound connection between what we do and why it matters.

References

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Bailey, C., & Madden, A. (2017). Time reclaimed: Temporality and the experience of meaningful work. Work, Employment and Society, 31(1), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017015604100

Bohr, N. (1934). Atomic theory and the description of nature. Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1934)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). NPI registry: Provider details. National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1992582837

Chapman, G. D., & White, P. E. (2019). The 5 languages of appreciation in the workplace: Empowering organizations by encouraging people. Northfield Publishing.

Costin, V. (2020). The power of meaning in work and life. HarperCollins.

Costin, V., & Vignoles, V. L. (2020). Meaning is about mattering: Evaluating coherence, purpose, and existential mattering as precursors of meaning in life judgments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(4), 864-884. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000225

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Einstein, A. (1915). Die Feldgleichungen der Gravitation. Sitzungsberichte der K?niglich Preu?ischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 1915, 844–847.

Einstein, A. (1955). Letter to Michele Besso's family. In The quotable Einstein (A. Calaprice, Ed., 1996). Princeton University Press.

Frankl, V. E. (1985). Man’s search for meaning (Rev. ed.). Washington Square Press.

Heisenberg, W. (1958). Physics and philosophy: The revolution in modern science. Harper & Row.

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Lips-Wiersma, M., & Morris, L. (2009). Discriminating between ‘meaningful work’ and the ‘management of meaning.’ Journal of Business Ethics, 88(3), 491-511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0118-9

Rorty, R. (1979). Philosophy and the mirror of nature. Princeton University Press.

Steger, M. F., Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Measuring meaningful work: The Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI). Journal of Career Assessment, 20(3), 322-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711436160