Finding Personal Meaning in Your Work

by Joel Garfinkle, Dream Job Coaching

One client of mine recently lamented, “The element of personal meaning seems to be missing from most of the jobs I am searching for.”

Contrary to popular belief, the reason for holding down a job isn’t to benefit from perks such as a positive “around the water cooler” atmosphere, mutually amicable co-workers, great benefits or even collecting a paycheck, but rather fulfilling your own definition of personal meaning through your work.

So, what is the textbook definition of personal meaning, you ask? Some of my clients are under the impression that it is a philosophy toward your chosen profession that you feel deeply in your heart. Others have further elaborated that personal meaning is a state-of-mind that makes your job more purposeful for you.

Short and sweet, I believe the best definition of personal meaning is “my job touches me as I touch it.” For example, as I coach others, I feel a great sense of fulfillment in the moment because I am being touched by something that my client does to better themselves because of an insight I shared with them that spurs them on to transformation or personal growth.

To further illustrate my definition, I’ll relay the following story. A man came upon two workers breaking granite so he stopped to ask them, “What are you doing?” The first one sarcastically replied, “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m trying to break this granite. While on the positive side, the second worker enthusiastically responded, “I’m part of a team of people who are building a beautiful cathedral.”

The morale of this concise parable is simple. We enjoy our working lives to the level we realize how important the work we are doing actually is to the big picture. While your job might be interesting, engaging and purposeful, the question to ask yourself is, “Does it bring personal meaning to who I am?” Personal meaning to one person could mean impacting the universe, or to another, quietly helping others behind the scenes.

What do you think of when you hear the question, “What work would you do if it brought personal meaning to you?” In order to answer this question, you need to get a clear fix on the definition of what personal meaning means to you. This is the starting point I recommend each of us search from because until we come to love our jobs, nothing can make working a satisfying way of living.

Copyright ©2004 - 2008 Joel Garfinkle, All Rights Reserved.

Joel Garfinkle provides a step-by-step Dream Job process that has guided thousands of clients to find the perfect job and reach career fulfillment. For Career Coaching Services, visit Dream Job Coaching.

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