A paycheck. The desire to reach a new title or responsibility. An ambition to live out values and purpose. We all have different motivators for working. Some people are okay with clocking in, completing tasks, and clocking out, while others search for more. Whether you’re the person who nodded their head to ticking tasks off their list, or the person who felt excited about the search for more and finding meaning in day-to-day workflows, neither are wrong. But it can say a lot about your career stage. Continue reading to learn how to navigate the two stages of your career and how to find meaning in work.
The 2 Career Stages and Meaningful Work
How does your career stage relate to meaningful work? I’ll let you in on the conclusion I reached after reading Arthur C. Brooks’ novel, From Strength to Strength. The book discusses how to find success and meaning in the second half of our lives as we age. I found a lot of similarities that could be applied to the lifetime of our careers.
Brooks points out that we use two types of intelligence throughout our lives. In the first half, we often apply fluid intelligence (our knowledge and skills to problem-solve and innovate). In the second half of our lives, he points out that we transition to crystalized intelligence. At this stage, our knowledge and experience mature into wisdom, and we often seek the “why” behind what we do, aspiring for purpose and fulfillment.
Now, instead of life, let’s look at this from a career journey. On average, we work 45 years. So, in the first 22ish years, we do as many tasks as possible and take on all the new opportunities we can to get a plethora of experience under our belts. This is what I like to call your Career. But in the next 22ish years, this is when we develop our knowledge into wisdom, wanting to leave a meaningful impact through the work we do and retired fulfilled. This is what I refer to as your Calling.
Here’s the thing though: not everyone makes the transition from career to calling. If you’re content in your fluid intelligence zone—that’s wonderful (but keep reading for eye-opening insight that may have you second-guessing). And if you want to exit your career fulfilled and feel you’re on the precipice of this transition of finding more, then you’ll want to continue reading.
Do You Need to Find Meaning in Your Work?
No, it’s not a mandate to find meaning in your work… but should it be? According to McKinsey & Company, meaningful work contributes to:
- 33% improvement in performance.
- 49% less turnover (a.k.a. 49% more job satisfaction).
- 75% stronger commitment to the company.
So, is meaningful work required? No. But if you want to:
- Excel in your role and performance and be recognized
- Be happier and fulfilled with your job
- Understand how your talents directly contribute to the success of your company
Then I’d say it’s a critical key to career and leadership growth.
How You Can Start Transitioning From Career to Calling
If you went into this article already striving to match your work to your purpose, or you went into the article being okay with completing tasks but now wanting more, I’ll now teach you how you can make the most of your career journey and shift from career to calling. And even if you know you’re still deep in the throes of the first part of your career but want to know how to make the transition when it’s your time, this will be an essential guide you can refer to.
Tip 1: Name Your Brilliant Difference™
We all have value and bring special skills and talents to the table that no one can deliver quite like we do. So, what’s yours? Naming your Brilliant Difference™ is your unique value proposition that helps you uncover:
- Who you are (your integrity, values—what matters to you).
- Your impact (the unique skills and talents you bring to the table and how you deliver them).
- Your difference (who others get to be because of who you are and the talents you possess).
I’ll give you an example:
I am a [leadership coach] who [helps ambitious leaders and career professionals through insightful workshops], so that they can [get to the next level in their career].
From here, I could say my Brilliant Difference is Insightful Experiences.
Now you try! Copy and paste the formula below into your own document to form your own Brilliant Difference™ value statement.
I am a [noun] who [verb], so that others can [outcome].
Tip 2: Align Projects to Your Integrity
Is there something you’re passionate about at work that you want to support? Approach your manager and let them know you’re interested and why you are. If there isn’t a project that’s already aligned with your integrity, pitch one. Just ensure your passion aligns with the overall business mission.
Tip 3: Get Involved
Do you communicate? Do you collaborate? Or do you tend to sit at your desk and independently work? Do you tend to stay quiet in meetings?
By collaborating and sharing your ideas, you’re contributing and leading, not following and listening from the sidelines. You’re engaging in the company’s purpose and people. A lack of socialization and collaboration can make you feel detached, allowing your purpose to go stale.
But conversations don’t have to be all meetings and brainstorm sessions. Genuinely get to know the people you work with and build authentic connections that you’re excited to nurture every day.
Tip 4: Practice Gratitude
One of the easiest shifts to find more meaning at work is to look for the silver linings, opportunities, and things you’re grateful for. At the end of every day or week, pick a key moment you were grateful for and define why. Were you able to apply a new skill? Were you able to lead a new project? Pay attention to the things you’re grateful for, because that’s what you’ll want to do more of.
Exit Your Job Fulfilled
The whole point of finding meaning in your work is to grow in your career—whether it be a new job title or new projects under your current title—and exit fulfilled, so that at the last day of your job you can say: “I’ve done all I can, given all of myself, and have made the impact and changes I was here to make.”
Will you be able to say that on the last day of your job?
