Meaningful work

Meaningful work is about doing a job that feels like it matters, supports the life you want to live, and fits the way you like to work.

For some people, that means finding a new, more meaningful career. For others, it’s about making their current job feel more meaningful.

This page will help you explore what meaningful work looks like for you, and how to craft your career in that direction.

emily smiling

What is meaningful work?

Meaningful work combines three elements.

  1. You think your work matters
  2. Your work supports the life you want to live
  3. Your role fits the way you like to work

When there is a mismatch between these elements and your job, you might:

To fix these problems, you need to explore what the three elements of meaningful work mean for you personally. Then you will know where your current role is falling short.

What does meaningful work look like for you?

Below are ideas, videos, and exercises to help you reflect on what meaningful work looks like for you.

successful but unhappy

Successful but unhappy: 4 steps to fulfillment

If your life looks successful from the outside, but on the inside you feel unfulfilled, this can help.

emily smiling to camera. on the left side is a sad emoji. on the right is a happy one. the text says, "the secret to a happy life"

The one thing you need for a happy life (says Harvard)

The longest running study on happiness started back in 1938! It reveals what creates deep, lasting happiness.

values list

What do you value?

Getting clear on what you value can help you identify the type of work you find meaningful.

eat work sleep repeat

How to live a fulfilling life

Understand what’s been holding you back, so you can take the first steps toward a truly fulfilling life.

Emily with head in hands and the text over says this cost me 17 years

I wasted 17+ years trying to find my purpose

8 lessons I learned when trying to find my purpose. (Tip 1. Your purpose is not necessarily your job.)

wheel of life activity

The Wheel of Life

Take a holistic look at your life and see how work fits within the context of everything else.

FIND MEANINGFUL WORK

The Meaningful Work Starter Kit

My structured psychology-informed toolkit to help you:

  • Get unstuck in your career
  • Understand what meaningful work means for you
  • Find clear career direction
some of the meaningful work starter kit resources showing the course area, a hand drawn model on a table and a pdf called Meaningful Work Today

Where are you right now?

Finding your work meaningful is an important part of feeling fulfilled at work. But you might be facing a more pressing career challenge right now.

Feeling stuck in your job?

Understand what’s wrong and what might need to change.

Don’t know what you want to do?

Explore what you want from work and make confident career decisions.

whats missing at work workbook

RATE YOUR CURRENT JOB ROLE

What’s Missing at Work?

Score your role against the three pillars of motivation at work.

In just 5 minutes, you’ll identify why your job feels fulfilling or unfulfilling and get ideas on what to do next.

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