How you feel about the meaning and purpose of your work affects nearly everything, including your motivation, performance, and commitment to the organization. When your sense of purpose feels disrupted or wavering, there are specific strategies you can take to renew your feelings of meaning and purpose. The end result? You’ll feel more energized, enthusiastic, and productive. It’s worth the effort!
Your Work Matters
Performing work that we find personally meaningful allows each of us to feel a sense of purpose as we conduct our daily job activities. However, over time — and especially during busy periods — it’s easy to become focused on keeping up with projects and deadlines and lose sight of the “why” behind the work. Periodically reflecting on the impact of your work is important. Use the strategies outlined below to help you refresh your memory and hold close the reasons why you chose to work in public service and rediscover meaning and purpose in your work activities.
How to Find Meaning in Your Work
- Think broadly about why you work. Working in the public sector itself is a meaningful act of service. You may also work to earn a living, provide for loved ones, or support charitable organizations. Keeping your broader motivations in mind can help you connect your work with purpose.
- Draw a connection from your work to service. Think about the customers, stakeholders, or colleagues you serve on a daily basis and the impact you can have. As a public-sector employee, you are ultimately providing a service to the public by helping the organization fulfill its mission.
- Foster high-quality work relationships. Who we work with impacts how we view our work. Reflect on your work relationships and make an effort to build and nurture the relationships that will enrich your work experience.
- Shift the way you think about work. If your existing work does not seem meaningful, contemplate whether there are ways you can gain skills or go “above and beyond” that would make it meaningful to you. Some people find that improving and perfecting their current skills on the job or through formal training makes their work more meaningful.
- Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments. We are often focused on the end goal of completing a project or the task at hand. However, it’s important to take a step back and notice your accomplishments along the way — and remember to celebrate! You may also find your job more meaningful by acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of others.
For a deeper dive, the Harvard Business Review provides case studies and additional strategies to consider, including reflecting on your values, offering assistance to others, and looking for ways to reshape your job.
Dr. Lauren Forgacs is an organizational development psychologist and applied positive psychologist, with more than six years of service in the federal government and 20 years of private sector experience, including award-winning accomplishments with a top five management consulting firm. She provides expert guidance and customized solutions to federal leaders on organizational development and culture, change management, leadership, teambuilding, employee engagement, and psychological safety. She is an expert on human-centered leadership and recently developed a year-long, cohort-based training program to enhance enterprise-wide leadership skills, organizational effectiveness, and the employee experience. Dr. Forgacs has held several leadership positions, effectively leading and motivating remote, hybrid, and on-site teams. She is also a certified federal leadership coach and a Gallup-certified strengths coach.
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