The Power of Micro-Moments of Meaning: Boosting Wellbeing and Resilience at Work
Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts
Chartered Psychologist (Wellbeing, Resilience, Mindset) // Podcast Host: Psychology in the Wild // 6M Learners Worldwide (@LinkedIn Learning)
A few years ago, I worked with a team in highly stressful roles, where the nature of their work often led to emotional strain. I vividly recall thinking how challenging it would be to handle the intense emotional toll they faced daily.
Initially, I was surprised at how these team members coped so well in their roles; they weren't just surviving - they were almost thriving. Overall, they were resilient. They effectively navigated challenges, emotional burdens, and mental strain, while safeguarding their wellbeing in the process.
I discovered that the team members who thrived in their roles shared one common approach to their work - they found small moments of meaning that helped them to connect to their values, customers, and colleagues. They had a clear sense of how their jobs supported vulnerable people and how their work mattered to them and others. They found (sometimes small) moments of meaning in their working days.
As I share in my latest mindset shift coaching video , micro-moments of meaning can be easily overlooked. Yet, research shows that finding meaning in life is a cornerstone of wellbeing, adding depth to our experiences. These micro-moments of meaning provide us with a sense of purpose, motivation, and direction and can profoundly impact our resilience and satisfaction, especially in a work context.
What are micro-moments of meaning?
Micro-moments of meaning are brief, powerful moments when people experience important emotions or strong feelings that promote wellbeing, joy and resilience.
Even if you're clear on what makes your life meaningful in a broader sense, honing in on these tiny, meaningful moments can be incredibly beneficial. These are the quick, everyday interactions that often slip by unnoticed, such as:
While they may seem minor, these moments can significantly enhance your day-to-day experience at work.
How to create micro-moments of meaning
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Step 1: Notice meaningful moments
The first step to tapping into these micro-moments is to notice them. Reflect on your day - were there any interactions or experiences that brought you a sense of satisfaction or purpose? It could be something as simple as advising a coworker, finishing a challenging task, or sharing a lighthearted moment with a team member. By taking the time to recognise these small but meaningful experiences, you might be surprised at how they can elevate your mood and motivation.
Step 2: Create meaningful moments
Once you've started identifying these micro-moments, think about how you can cultivate more of them in your workday. While some moments of meaning are spontaneous, many can be intentionally created. For instance, if you find mentoring others meaningful, you might seek more opportunities to guide others in small ways. If collaboration brings you joy, consider how you might build small moments of connection into your work day.
Step 3: Reflect on meaningful moments
Finally, as you reflect on these moments, patterns will likely emerge. Are there specific activities or people at work that consistently bring meaning to your day? Conversely, are there tasks or interactions that drain you?
Use this insight to guide how you use your time and energy at work.
The beauty of micro-moments is that they don't require grand gestures or significant changes. They are accessible to us every day; with practice, noticing and savouring them can become a habit.
Incorporating a daily reflection on these micro-moments into your routine could be a simple yet powerful way to boost your overall wellbeing and find greater fulfilment in your work life.
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OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
great message
Domestic violence Counselor/Motivation Resilience Coach/Advocate for violence on women awareness/Spirituality Advisor for a meaningful life??
1 个月Thank you Gemma. All very useful tips.?? I believe an important aspect of mental health at work could also be offering the option of mental health counselling and also shed light on important topics.( violence/alcolism/eating disorders etc). Employees often struggle with personal difficulties the employer may not know about.. and this affects productivity. We are humans!?? So prevention or tackling are key and will also boost productivity.??
Strategist | Administrator | Ex-Soldier
1 个月Forty years of military leadership, often marked by stress and isolation in life-and-death moments, taught me the power of micro moments. The issue reminds me of a brief, informal chat with a junior officer during a high-stress mission. He was struggling with self-doubt, and that conversation helped him regain confidence and later lead major operations—what seemed small at the time became a life changing experience for him, as he revealed years later. Such is the power of micro moments! Even in the toughest conditions, these fleeting moments of connection can build lifelong trust and have a lasting impact. Practice them for just 30 days, and experience the benefits. you will be amazed at the results!
BMET
1 个月“Safeguarding wellbeing” when you are in an environment of “emotional strain” brings a lot of challenges to healthcare workers. “Navigating such emotional burdens and mental strain”, while safeguarding the wellbeing of the patient is a complicated process. Supporting vulnerable people in such environments needs “micro-moments of meaning”. “Micro-moments of meaning in a workplace can bring in a sense of purpose and direction to employee life”. No one want employees to look like bonsai plants with resiliency of strong roots. Employees must have good experiences in order to grow. Thank you Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts for sharing mindset and wellness ideas which are applicable for improving employee experience for healthcare around the globe.