Why Employees Need to Find Purpose in Their Work

Most employees see work as nothing more than a means to an end. Oftentimes, the main, if not the sole reason employees keep their job is for the paycheck. Of course, money is important as it allows people to gain security, have living accommodations, and buy food to eat. Though this is the case, working at a job that one finds no meaning in can have a slew of overlooked negative consequences that can affect one’s ability to be happy.

Thankfully, many are beginning to understand this and some HR departments even make it a point to foster an environment of transparency in their organizations. Understanding why it’s important for one to find purpose in their work is a vital step in creating positive change.

Ways Finding Purpose in One’s Work is Beneficial

Finding purpose in one’s work is beneficial in several ways . Knowing these benefits can help motivate one to start taking steps to have a more positive relationship with their job. Here are some ways finding purpose in one’s workplace can be beneficial:

●Promote optimism

●Encourage one to act authentically

●Improve flow and productivity

●Encourage a positive demeanor and mood

How Employees Can Find Meaning in the Workplace

Organizations and employees looking to foster a sense of meaning in the workplace can benefit from some different strategies and techniques. One powerful model, that comes from the field of positive psychology, is the PERMA model. Understanding and utilizing the PERMA model can help employees find more meaning in their work and experience greater work satisfaction. Here are the aspects of the PERMA model that one can use to find more happiness and meaning in their work:

●Stay positive: By staying positive, and working to foster positive emotions, one can reduce the amount of stress that they feel and get along better with others.

●Engage with one’s strengths: Rather than focusing on areas that need improvement, focusing on one’s strengths can improve one’s happiness levels and make one more motivated to accomplish more.

●Relationships are important: Fostering healthy relationships in the workplace is a vital part of finding purpose and joy in one’s work.

●Meaning in the workplace: Studies have shown that those who feel like their work has meaning are more likely to be productive than employees who don’t find meaning in their work.

●Accomplishing goals: An important part of being happy with one’s work is being able to set realistic goals and accomplish them.

Positive Psychology Exercises

In addition to taking advantage of the PERMA model, employees and management can benefit from engaging in positive psychology exercises. Here are some positive psychology exercises that anyone can practice in the workplace:

Exercises in sensory awareness : These exercises allow employees to find and identify experiences that are enjoyable from a sensory point of view. This includes sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and physical feelings. Focusing on these positive experiences can help employees find joy in the workplace and feel happier.

Positive reminiscence : This exercise involves focusing on the positive aspects of specific memories. This exercise can be effective as it allows employees the opportunity to gain the skill of focusing on the positive elements of stressful situations.

Start Finding Meaning in the Workplace

Joy, happiness, and a sense of well-being shouldn’t be experiences that are reserved for time away from work. Developing the ability to find purpose and joy in one’s work can benefit one’s life tremendously and make work an enjoyable experience rather than a lackluster one. Utilize the PERMA model and exercises from positive psychology today and start experiencing the benefits of finding meaning and purpose in one’s work.