The Link Between Meaningful Work & Job Satisfaction

A few years ago, I helped an individual (I’ll call him George) in NYC secure a position with one of my clients as a National Sales Director. A couple years ago, this individual met another insurance professional (I’ll call him Mike) in a café. That person had come to NYC from CA for a week looking to locate a new opportunity. George referred Mike to me for assistance. I was able to help Mike secure a newly created operations role with another one of my clients. Mike recently left that role and started his own firm doing consulting work. Mike called me today to return the favor for me helping him by going over my operating expenses and making certain I had applied for all available disaster relief assistance.

I derive a great deal of happiness from helping others. That’s why I love what I do, good times or bad. While not expected, it’s an amazing feeling when someone such as a Mike remembers you and offers to extend a hand.

People assign significance to their work in a variety of ways.  As one might imagine, meaningful work and job satisfaction are linked.  Meaningful work is actually better than job satisfaction at predicting absenteeism.

Finding one’s work meaningful is associated with life satisfaction and overall well-being.

1) Find your purpose.

In order to truly feel fulfilled, you need to identify your purpose so you can strive toward it in everything you do.

2) Challenge yourself.

There’s no quicker path to workplace boredom than feeling like you’re not using your full potential.

3) Find a mentor.

When I first started in my profession, I realized I needed to learn from the best in order to be the best. Studies show that mentors provide their mentees with crucial career guidance and support.

4) Go with your gut.

Sometimes, the most significant thing you can do for yourself is to listen to your instincts. Finding passion, purpose, and fulfillment isn’t easy and it can take time, hard work, and a lot of research.

5) Learn what your core values are.

Core values are traits and qualities that are most important to you. Learning what your core values are and creating a life that meets your values will help you find a deeply meaningful existence. Ask yourself, what matters to me? Is it freedom, flexibility, balance, stability, peace of mind, connectedness, honesty, intellect, loyalty?