How to Get More Meaning with your Career
It is why many professionals are starting to prioritise meaningful work over high pay or prestige. If you find yourself stuck in a job that feels stagnant and unfulfilling, you may be thinking of switching to a more meaningful career that allows you to help those in need or make a positive impact on humanity.
While this might seem an ambitious task, it’s not impossible to find yourself a profession that will reignite your passions and your sense of purpose. To help you get started, below are five tips that will bring you one step closer to a more meaningful career:
1. Seek a Job That Aligns with Your Passions, Values, and Talents
A crucial thing to consider when choosing a new job is whether it aligns with your passions, values, and skills. Otherwise, you may be entering a career that makes you feel unhappy and unfulfilled.
First, think about your passions. These are activities that you find to be enjoyable.
Next, consider your values. Start by thinking of societal issues that you care about most deeply. This way, you can list potential professions that will allow you to address them.
Lastly, think about your skills or talents. Ask yourself what job opportunities would allow you to maximise these gifts.
Generally speaking, a career that fulfils all three of these categories is usually one worth pursuing.
2. Search for Like-Minded People or Organisations
Once you have thought about the kind of work you want, it is time to start looking for people and organisations that share your interests, goals, and values.
Be sure to search for groups dedicated to social good or the specific causes you wish to advocate. You will find a wide range of groups with plenty of experience handling successful projects in the fields which you are most passionate.
By immersing yourself in an environment of like-minded individuals, you can gain the support you need to grow as a professional and stay motivated.
3. Find Rewarding Ways to Use Your Strengths or Skills
Even if you end up in a line of work vastly different from all your previous jobs, your accumulated knowledge and experience are still valuable. Leveraging your strengths boils down to finding the intersection between what you can do and what your new career entails. Remember, there are plenty of roles within an organisation and many ways to approach them and make a difference.
For example, you might have a passion for animal conservation and are good at engaging with people. In this case, you could spread awareness through the social media posts for your organisation. If you are a skilled writer with some background in law, you could help draft government policies that prohibit habitat destruction.
Whatever your skills may be, what is most important is using your strengths in a way that you find most meaningful and relevant to your cause.
4. Make Time to Pursue Meaningful Work
It can be hard to focus on the things that matter when you have too many commitments on your plate. It is best to block out some time in your schedule for pursuing meaningful work. You can use this period to reflect on the progress of your goals, review the concrete outcomes of your work, and practice the skills you need to improve your career.
Spending just an hour each week can make a big difference in your career progression. Keeping this in mind, try to schedule meaningful work at a time of day when you feel most productive. For some people, it is better to get things done early in the morning. If you work this way, you will always work on your mission, no matter what happens later in the day.
5. Consider Your Financial Situation
A financial cushion is often necessary to ensure you have the freedom and resources to shift towards a rewarding career. Unfortunately, not everyone has the finances to make a radical career change. Hence, taking stock of your financial situation is necessary.
Ask yourself if you have the means to support a complete career shift. If not, consider the compromises you’re willing to make to pursue meaningful work. It might include adjusting your current budget or decreasing certain living expenses. For example, you may choose to downsize your house or refrain from buying a new car. Alternatively, you could engage in stable part-time work while pursuing your cause on the side.
At the end of the day, your journey to a more fulfilling career is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the process of finding what works best for you. However, by following the tips mentioned above, you can get closer to finding a job that will change your life—and the lives of others—for the better.
