How to Find Meaning In Any Job

How to Find Meaning In Any JobHow to Find Meaning In Any Job According to the latest research, more than 50 percent of Millennials would give up part of their salary to work for a cause near and dear to their heart, and the majority (90 percent) want to use their skills for good. Unfortunately, job opportunities (and salaries) at non-profits make it difficult for everyone who wants to work for a cause to do so. But does that mean youre resigned to meaningless work forever? Nope As it turns out, any job can be turned into a meaningful work with the right attitude it just requires a shift in perspective. Whether you work in a service industry or a for-profit industry, if youre paid for your work, there is an end user who is receiving help from you. You simply need to think it through and focus on the person youre helping. For example, for a few years, I worked in web content writing and editing as a government contractor. As much as I loved my red pen, there were some days that were a little spreadsheet heavy, and Id find myself watching the clock for 5 PM. But one day, I realized the work I was doing wasnt just for a paycheck. At the end of the day, the content we were making and uploading to the government site truly made a difference in the lives of military families . What I was doing felt far removed from the reality of raising a family and running a household with a deployed spouse, but the result of my work was a direct hand up to people in that position. What a game changerWhile my job was somewhat service oriented, the principle works for almost any industry. If you work in IT security in banking , youre protecting entire populations of businesses and families from the stress, confusion, and long-term consequences of identity theft. If you work in retail, youre helping people find and purchase the things they need to manage their lives, from food and clothes to computer products and entertainment. What an impact As Marian Wrigh t Edelman says, Never work just for money or for power. They wont save your soul or help you sleep at night. If you find yourself driven to have a positive impact on the world, dont jump right to the conclusion that you need a new job. No matter what kind of job you have, its entirely within your power to make your work meaningful work right where you are.