Work & Meaning

“Use your signature strengths and virtues in the service of something much larger than you are.” ~ Martin Seligman

For the longest time, I have begrudged myself for not being the right kind of ambitious. But in my career spanning 3 decades , I have constantly veered towards meaningful connections …A Meaningful Life.

I realise that this is because of how my past has shaped my life. A step at a time, one begins to see the confluence of all our thoughts, circumstances and work into a powerful elixir that calls us to action repeatedly in our lives.

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I am not sure how many of us really understand the distinction between:

·????? A Pleasant Life : the pursuit of companionship, a happy environment, bodily needs

·????? A Good Life : where one understands their own strengths & virtues and applies them in their life.

·????? A Meaningful Life : where one years a deep sense of fulfilment by applying our strengths for a purpose greater than ourselves.

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Way back, over 2 decades ago, an MD of mine had asked me 2 questions:

1.?? Where do I see myself in 5 years

2.?? And what would be the last thing I would before I die.

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To the 1st, my response was, that I would like to be a part of the trusted core group in the organisation. And I still resonate with the response. To be trusted, dependable, able to make a difference… and to be able to trust those in my space has been integral to my life … even at the cost of promotions, designations and packages to an extent. But these also happened along reasonably so ;-)

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To the 2nd question, my response was: “This will be selfish. I would like to know that my mother and child are safe and well take care of behind me. I guess that will be my last thought.” But this is not relevant to this post.

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So, how do you get there? – lead A Meaningful Life ? – are able to identify and stay on course to your True North?

1.???? By being Authentic, being yourself…how simple is that…

2.???? Actively identifying and developing your natural gifts and talents – my mentors and life coach helped me here.

3.???? Apply your natural gifts & talents in any form or capacity for the betterment of others in your space (however big or small that may be). – mine was and remains my extended family & friends; colleagues, patients & their care givers at the various hospitals I have been a part of, in every aspect of work I do…it needs to impact someone positively. This makes me sleep well at night.

4.???? Keep a strong sense of faith – in God or anyone who guides your internal compass and can help you reset yourself when you get lost.- My spirituality, Baba Nanak, my Dad and Nana…I want those eyes to be proud of me!

5.???? ?Identify your Dreams that speak to your Soul: Once you do that, it becomes easy to tie our work with causes that inspire and matter to us.

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