The Joy of Meaningful Work

The search for meaning in life and in work has been a very powerful, enduring theme in every culture. Many of us have reflected on our work and the meaning it has in our lives. Developing a rewarding career is closely linked to enjoying a more meaningful life. A poll taken by the Gallup Organization in 2001 indicated that less than 30 percent of people are fully engaged at work. Until recently, a job was simply a way to earn a living. Many people have come to regard work as a necessary evil, something they must do in order to pay for all their needs and wants. But today, our need for personal job satisfaction and for striking an appropriate career/life balance has taken on greater importance. There has been a movement worldwide to view work as a means to fulfillment rather than just a chore. Organizations are recognizing the need to offer their employees not only financial incentives, but also ways to find meaning and purpose in their jobs. There is a renewed interest in finding meaning in work and in life, and a yearning to be involved in something greater than ourselves. Most of us spend a lot of valuable time working. We spend more time at work than we do with our families, rejuvenating ourselves, in nature, or in our places of worship. Yet, most of us are just too busy to pursue meaning. We are on automatic pilot through most of our busy workdays. Work is no longer providing a sense of personal significance for most people. This failure to actively engage in our work keeps us from finding meaning, and leads to increasing feelings of dissatisfaction and a loss of purpose. Career and achievement are one of the major sources of meaning in anyone's life. If your work doesn't feed your spirit, you may be feeling tired, drained, and depleted by the end of the day. That's a good indication that you're in the wrong job. Finding fulfilling work is challenging but very rewarding. You don't have to continue doing work you don't enjoy just because it