In research conducted by Missouri State University assistant Professor of Management Wesley Scoggins, he cites a study conducted by the consulting firm Towers Perrin which found that the more meaning employees found in their work, the more satisfied they reported being in their work.  This may not be a big surprise, but the same study also found that the more meaning employees found in their work, the greater benefit these same employees were to their organizations.  That is, they were more productive.   This is not only a huge benefit for both an organization, but a huge benefit for the individual as well.

Finding meaning in one’s work is not necessarily reserved for “the lucky few”.  However, in order to find that meaning, you have to take a rather strategic approach towards career exploration.  Oftentimes, people end up on a particular career path because of parental pressures and expectations, intellectual interests in college, or simply because of the opportunities that were presented to them when they were ready to go to work.  Of course this is an abbreviated list of reasons, but the point is that very few adults have actually decided to be strategic in choosing their career paths.

The winning strategy for finding meaning in one’s work is grounded in a solid self-assessment of personality traits, interests and skills, and values.  When we fully explore these factors, we develop a clear understanding of ourselves.  With this understanding, one can then narrow down the hundreds of different career fields and have a better chance of actually choosing one that is a “best-fit” for you. 

It is this “best-fit” concept that generated the above mentioned research on meaningfulness and work.  The research shows that those who rate their careers as being a “best-fit” for their personalities, interest, and values, also describe feeling more meaning in their work.  So, to find meaning in work, first come to a clearer understanding of yourself and then try to map that data onto a specific career field.  Your odds of finding meaning at work will significantly increase if you do this.    Remember, this leads to heightened performance and productivity.  So go out there and be purposeful and intentional in making your career choice and that pot of gold at the end of the work rainbow can be yours.