Do you feel unfulfilled or bored in your current role? Do you sometimes struggle to find meaning in your work? Or do you feel you’ve done all there is to be done and are now just grinding for the paycheck? Statistics have recently shown that worldwide, only 20% of employees are engaged at work. It’s also estimated that almost a third of the workers are searching actively or casually for a job. Read.
A recent study by Gallup in the “State of the Global Workplace 2023” also showed that 83% of Kenyan workers only warm seats, and watch the clock.
Many individuals find themselves caught in the whirlwind of their careers, doing things, meeting targets, seeking promotions and higher salaries, but in the scheme of things, they’re actually just moving from paycheck to paycheck.
We spend a significant portion of our lives working, making it crucial to seek fulfillment and purpose in our daily tasks. Whether you're just starting your professional journey or have been in your job for years, discovering meaning in your current job is essential for personal growth and overall well-being. Finding a deeper meaning and satisfaction will enhance your work-life balance and overall happiness, hopefully removing you from the 83% population of seat-warmers.
The default action by most staff is to look for greener pastures or get into auto-pilot mode. Before you jump ship to a new job, consider ways you can find more meaning and satisfaction in your existing position. Making a few small shifts can transform how you view your work and renew your sense of purpose.
The Benefits of Finding Meaning Where You Are
It's easier to find meaning in your current job than to find a new one – I know this statement might not fully apply to all circumstances, but it’s worth a try. Changing jobs comes with new challenges; unfortunately, a different employer does not always equal a better job. Finding purpose in your current role is generally simpler, you already know the ropes, the politics, and the people.
You already have experience and contacts. You've invested time in building skills, knowledge, and relationships specific to your industry and company. Leverage this foundation to create a more rewarding role.
The grass may not be greener elsewhere. The excitement of a new job eventually wears off. Addressing issues in your current role can bring back that sense of engagement.
Tips to Find Meaning in Your Current Job
If meaning is what you’re looking for, perhaps what you need to do is to become more purposeful every day. Don’t allow the bug of complacency to get a hold of you and don’t allow old habits to hinder your pursuit for meaning. Here are a few things you can consider to this end.
- Reflect on your core values.
What matters to you in a career? Helping others? Creativity? Work with your manager to incorporate more of these elements, or find a way of incorporating this in your work. Spend some time every day working within your core values.
2. Do more of the meaningful work
Our days are filled with doing tasks that are not core to our profession. The tasks can be important but of low value. Spending most or all your time on these tasks can wear you down. On the contrary, when you’re engaged in meaningful work – the 20% of the work that accounts for 80% of your output, you tend to use up more of your mental capacity, bringing meaning to your work. Incorporate more time doing this meaningful work, and find a way of reducing the low-value work that can easily be delegated or avoided. You might discover that you don’t need to do it at all anyway.
3. Take on new challenges.
Stretch your abilities with a special project or assignment outside your normal responsibilities. This can reignite the passion for your work. Some organizations run voluntary activities, get engaged in these, you might be surprised what skills you can build from such engagements.
4. Connect with how you impact others.
Talk to internal customers to find out how your work helps them and makes a difference. Please find out how you can improve in your dealing with them. Unfortunately, most of us feel like others should not contribute or give suggestions on how we work as it makes us feel belittled or disrespected. However, feedback is always good and it can help re-introduce meaning to your work.
5. Mentor junior employees.
Guiding others gives meaning as you help them grow professionally. Offer to train new hires or interns. Apart from those within your area of influence, mentoring others from other spaces can give you a boost of satisfaction. A mature employee that has grown-up children can for instance mentor young mothers, and help them navigate the early years of their children’s lives. This can make them better employees and colleagues. Men can mentor young men that might need guidance in matters of life.
6. Get involved professionally.
Join an industry association or attend a conference. Staying current on trends helps you see how your role fits into the bigger picture. This is part of investing in yourself. Many workers wait for sponsorship by employers to engage in professional networking events, which, unfortunately, is never prioritized by many employers. Invest in yourself and stay current. This not only makes you more valuable but opens up your perspective.
7. Revamp your duties
Suggest tweaks to your job description that better utilize your talents and interests. This keeps you engaged. If your job is no longer challenging, find a way to tweak it and learn new ways of doing things. Some of the things that have traditionally been done by others for you, you could make a point of learning how to do them.
8. Embrace Daily Delights: Infusing Passion into Your Work
Every day presents an opportunity to infuse your work with the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing something you love. Often, the feeling of boredom at work stems from a lack of engagement with the things that bring you happiness in your everyday life. Upon reflection, you may realize your daily tasks are not as bothersome as they seem. Perhaps what's truly missing is the rush of adrenaline or those bursts of dopamine - the happiness hormone that accompanies activities you truly enjoy. By incorporating moments that ignite your dopamine levels on a daily basis, you might just discover that your work is not so bad after all.
Also, check out an article on enjoying a little luxury on a budget.
9. Achieving Balance: The Key to Sustained Happiness
In the pursuit of a fulfilling career, it's crucial to maintain a balanced life. Even if you once considered your job a dream come true, an imbalance between work and other aspects of your life can transform it into a burden. Just as a balanced diet is essential for physical health, a well-rounded life is vital for lasting happiness. Take a moment to assess different areas of your life:
• Health: Are you nourishing your body with nutritious food and engaging in regular exercise?
• Social: How do you connect with the people around you? Do you cultivate a vibrant social life?
• Self: Do you allocate time for personal reflection, meditation, prayer, or introspection?
• Wealth: Have you developed a plan for your financial well-being? What are your aspirations and goals in this area?
By nurturing these various dimensions of your life, you can create a harmonious equilibrium that enhances your overall sense of fulfillment and happiness. Remember, finding meaning in your work is not just about the job itself; it's about cultivating a holistic and gratifying existence.
Of course, there are times when it truly makes sense to move on to something new or to a new employer. But in many cases, small changes can lead to renewed passion and meaning in your work. It’s worth pursuing to avoid the fallacy of ‘your neighbor’s grass looks greener.
