Hello better values! • 2 min read
In the New York Times’s Energy Project survey of 12,000 employees, 50% said they didn’t get a feeling of meaning and significance from their work.
However those who did, reported 1.7 times greater job satisfaction, were 1.4 times more engaged, and were more than three times as likely to remain with their current employer.
Introduction
We’ve touched upon why it’s important that we find meaning to gain long-term career satisfaction.
Next, we’ll focus on shifting our mindsets to achieve this.
How do we do this?
We begin by letting go of our perfectionist ideals.
Destined to be extraordinary?
Perfectionism causes us anxiety, slowing us down in our daily work. For some, it has become an accepted part of our culture to believe that we are all destined to do something extraordinary.
But if everyone were extraordinary, then by definition, no one is extraordinary.
By accepting that we’re not all meant to be extraordinary, we liberate ourselves to accomplish what we truly wish to, without self-imposed high expectations or judgement.
So, what do we recommend doing?
1. Recalibrate our standards
What we contribute doesn’t have to be the final word — it just has to contribute something useful. Try to agonise less over the miniscule details and recognise that getting it done is a substantial goal.
2. Eliminate comparison to others
The law of averages reasons that you can only be ‘exceptional’ at one thing while you’ll be average in other areas. This will allow you to focus on what’s important.
3. Focus on 'value prioritisation'
Self-improvement and finding meaning are about prioritising better values, e.g., those that are reality-based, socially constructive, or immediate and controllable.
Value prioritisation in practice
Self-improvement and finding meaning are about prioritising better values, e.g., those that are reality-based, socially constructive, or immediate and controllable.
Value social connections
Connection to others is important for both happiness and meaning. Studies show that helping other people leads to meaning, while having others help you leads to happiness. Alex’s desire to use his skills to help others urged him to seek this type of role.
Challenges
While stress and struggle reduce happiness, they can also add meaning to your work. Alex was willing to charter unknown territory in his chosen role to increase his chances of finding meaning at work.
Personal identity
Activities that express the self can add real meaning. Alex’s pull toward a different type of job was an expression of what had become most important to him.
Fewer commitments
Lastly, a lot can be said for making fewer commitments.
When we focus intently on a few highly important goals and activities, this allows us to achieve a greater degree of success than we otherwise would have by committing to many.
Key takeaways
Perfectionism is unrealistic. The acceptance of this idea will liberate us from the immense societal pressure to accomplish everything instead of striving for what we truly wish to accomplish.
Prioritise your values to be more reality-based, socially constructive, and/or immediate and controllable.
Less is more. Commit to fewer priorities. This helps us to experience a greater depth of experience.
Think big, act small
Which of the values listed above do you think you can prioritise first and foremost to reach for meaning?
Can you begin committing to fewer priorities?
Next time, we’ll look at how to reconceptualise our ideas around happiness to strive for real meaning in our work.
Content sources
Forbes, 2020, Hannah Hart, Being Productive is Not Enough – How to Prioritise Your Highest Value
Mark Manson, 2016, ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’
Harvard Business Review, 2019, Susan Peppercorn, ‘Why You Should Stop Trying to be Happy at Work’
Harvard Business Review, 2019, Rebecca Knight, ‘How to Manage Your Perfectionism’
Harvard Business Review, 2017, Emily Esfahani Smith, ‘How to Find Meaning in a Job That Isn’t Your “True Calling”’
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