Thriving at work: how can you achieve it?
The notion of meaning is essential when you want to flourish at work. According to a study by the Ifop institute, 75% of French people say they are happy at work. Among the reasons for their happiness, passion and interest in what they do are most often cited. Finding interest and meaning in work makes us feel more engaged and therefore contributes to our fulfillment and happiness at work. We will see together what are the ways to give meaning to one's work.
Know the Purpose
We have to ask ourselves why we do, what we do. Ask yourself, what cause am I contributing to? It is imperative that everyone knows what the purpose of the company in which they work is. If you don't know, you need to talk to your managers so that they can inform you. It is impossible to motivate yourself if you do not know what the overall objective of the company or its department is.
The Happy Work podcast gives a good example of this with an interview with the cleaning man of Space X, Elon Musk's company that aims to send us to Mars. The journalist asks the cleaner about the meaning of his job, and the latter replies that he is participating in the conquest of space. The journalist was surprised by his answer and the man added that he must not have been surprised because his superior explained to him that if he worked well, if the computer screens were as good as new, the offices were airy and clean, the garbage cans were emptied; the working environment would be pleasant and therefore the engineers would feel better, would be more creative and therefore thanks to his work, Space X would go faster to Mars.
Consistency
Today, when you enter the job market, you ask yourself the question of the values carried by the company. Earning money is no longer enough, behind it we have the desire to have a positive impact and to make ourselves useful.
Your work must be in line with your values, that it be consistent with what you believe in. We all have the desire to be at the service of a cause that resonates with who we are. And yes, it is difficult to imagine seeing an ecologist occupy a position in a nuclear power plant.
The diversity of activities
It is essential to make sure that in your work, you have not fallen into a certain monotony. Make sure to bring diversity to the tasks you have to do.
To give meaning to their employees, we are seeing " intrapreneurship " programs flourish in companies, which consist of allowing employees to create projects alongside what they do in their daily work. In this way, they give meaning to their work. If your company does not offer one, do not hesitate to propose projects that drive you and that are beneficial to the company.
There are also employees who propose to co-construct actions with associations that they support in their personal spheres. Nowadays, the corporate world is changing thanks to individual positions within companies and it is good to remember that all major social changes are often the result of individual initiatives.
Adapting your skills to work
We cannot be experts in everything. If the work to be done is beyond your skills, you will quickly be lost and you will not know where to turn. Conversely, if the work is below your skills, you will get bored. It is imperative to feel useful! And yes, the notion of utility is fundamental.
In short, you need to have a workload that is adjusted to what you are able to do in a normal day. In both cases, don't hesitate to discuss it with your superiors to avoid burnout and bore-out.
Learning and Perspectives
The notion of meaning is maximized when we learn. Indeed, it is often an ingredient that is very important both at the beginning and at the end of a career. And yes, it is always rewarding to feel yourself evolving.
If you still can't find meaning in your work, and you wonder what you do and why you do it all the time, then it may be time to find a job that will be more consistent with your values and your deepest aspirations.
Discover our positive impact companies
Meet My Job is the 1st Belgian recruitment platform dedicated to sustainable development. So, what are you waiting for? Find your dream job/internship in sustainability here !