It can be incredibly frustrating discovering work that liberates our soul, especially if we are trapped in an unfulfilling job.

Conflicting messages from parents and pressure from friends can complicate the process of discovering meaningful work.

At Anatomy of Success, satisfying work is one of my four tenets of equanimity. When we cultivate professional ebullience, the benefits stretch deep into our personal lives.

Great compensation and ownership of our time can make life rich and rewarding. In addition, it can obviate the effects of dead-end careers that leave us feeling vacuous and lacking substance.

Despite what some “experts” think, work is important and creating meaningful work can make the difference between professional satisfaction or a life of stress, anxiety and regret.

Creating a rewarding career path requires intention and deep reflection, and it doesn’t happen by accident.

"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."

--DR. WAYNE DYER

HERE ARE 6 IDEAS FOR HELPING PEOPLE FIND WORK WITH MORE MEANING:

01. PERSONAL ASSESSMENT

We all need to perform a deep assessment of our values and priorities. Seeking clarity about what inspires us helps nullify the need to constantly look outward for solutions regarding career possibilities. Without a personal assessment of what drives our curiosity and triggers passion, it’s hard to find a direction that feels authentic as we inch toward professional satisfaction.

02. NATURAL PROCLIVITY

We all have things we love doing that captivates our attention and inspires additional growth. If we are good with people, being involved in work that requires human interaction is key. If we love computers, AI, Virtual Reality, working in a field that allows us to innovate with new technologies is essential. Moving toward our natural proclivities is imperative for discovering work that helps use create purpose. When we ignore these natural inclinations, we dismiss something satisfying in favor of something safe.

"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."

--TEDDY ROOSEVELT

03. PROGRESS

Deciding what career path to take requires effort and action. Small steps make all the difference, and each step can result in giant leaps. By simply moving in the direction of our interests and relying on connections we can establish momentum. Here’s an example. A young man at the gym expressed to me his frustration for finding work. I offered to connect him with someone on LinkedIn. This woman is a true influencer with a successful business. I knew she was hiring. That conversation took place over a 6 months ago. He hasn't connected with me or made any effort to follow up. When people lament about struggling but refuse to make any effort to create opportunities, it’s difficult to feel sympathetic. Progress requires action in the “direction” of our ambition. Even if that wasn’t the right fit him, that introduction could have lead to something better.

04. IF MONEY DIDN'T MATTER

Many of us emphasize making lots of money as the primary focus of our career decisions. In the process we chase wealth in exchange for something truly satisfying that could provide happiness and financial independence in the long run. Getting rich quick is often the preferred path which seduces people into making money fast at the expense of creating a beautiful life. Patience and persistence are often the antidote for career frustration. When we get serious about doing something we enjoy, we focus on mastery and the money will follow.

05. MORTALITY

There is no better way to appreciate the urgency of pursuing something we love than entertaining the prospect of death. When we contemplate the brevity of life, we make decisions that expedite our commitment to happiness. We don’t stay in bad relationships. We don’t remain in jobs that are unfulfilling. By appreciating time is short and exploring the possibility that our time is limited, we recognize the importance of not postponing a difficult decision. Being bold requires doing what’s uncomfortable, including exploring our own mortality.

06. MEANING MATTERS

Finding work with meaning is important, anyone that claims it isn’t doesn’t understand the research supporting its validity. Decades of studies have revealed meaningful work drives productivity. When people lack meaning, their work suffers and so does their enthusiasm. 9 out of 10 people studied in a Harvard University research study reported being willing to surrender pay for more meaning at work. Working for companies with a purpose matters. Creating a business with meaning matters. Making our work more meaningful matters. When exploring career opportunities, make sure the work aligns with our values so more meaning is part of our reward.

"It's not the hours. you put into your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours." As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."

-- SAM EWING

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