How to Create Meaning in Life (and at Work)
Hello friend! 👋
Life can get busy (sometimes overwhelming), and this busyness can make us lose sight of what truly matters.
Creating meaning in life (and at work) can transform your experiences - giving you deeper purpose and fulfillment.
1. Build awareness
(define the concept)
In the words of Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist who dedicated his life to researching meaning:
Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.
Understanding and creating meaning is fundamental to our well-being and resilience.
Research in positive psychology shows that having a sense of purpose can lead to greater life satisfaction, better mental health, and increased productivity.
It is what the Japanese called IKIGAI - giving you a reason to get out of bed each morning.
2. Make these choices:
(decisions/actions to bring it to life)
Identify your core values:
Values are the building blocks of meaning, take time to reflect on them (or click here to find out your top 5 through this free positive psychology survey)Use your values (strengths) at work:
The best way to create purposeful (and unique) work is by connecting it to your deep values. e.g., if curiosity is a strength, use it to find new ways to do the same task.Nurture your relationships:
The longest study on happiness was conducted by Harvard, and it tells us that relationships shape our lives and our experience of it.Have a hobby
We tend to let go of our childhood dreams as we grow older and realize they’re difficult to achieve. However, if you treat those dreams as fun projects, you can start small (and today).
3. Build them in a system:
(using the science of habit and willpower to make it consistent)
Keep a solid journaling practice:
Create a life-goal tracker.
Specify when you’d like the goal to be achieved and track back with micro actions towards it in the next 1-6 months.
Check-in with your progress each month and adjust your plans based on reality.
Remember this:
The more you allow the child inside you to speak up, the more meaning in life you can have.
Try these for the week, and have a Super Sunday!
With much joy,
Hashim