The Source of Meaningful Work

meaning

Deficiency, or rather the elimination of it, is our source for meaningful work.

We tend to see life, work, the world, and (secretly) ourselves as deficient in one or more of only these six ways.

  • There is too much ignorance. Life, work, and the world would be better when we pause to understand before acting. We are driven by understanding.
  • There is too much lack (of time, money, or anything, really). Life, work, and the world would be better when we set goals, take practical steps to get there, and measure ourselves along the way. We are driven by utility.
  • There is too much ugliness (of things, systems, and ideas). Life, work, and the world would be better when we drink in the beauty of life and design everything (concrete or conceptual) for completeness and enjoyment. We are driven by aesthetics.
  • There is too much separation. Life, work, and the world would be better when we realize we are all in this together and we choose to help each other out. We are driven by unity.
  • There is too much weakness. Life, work, and the world would be better when we coordinate and consolidate our power with strong leadership. We are driven by power.
  • There is too much tumult. Life, work, and the world would be better when we find, live & work by, and encourage others to live & work by the same, time-tested views, truths, and approaches. We are driven by tradition.

Our own career and our organizations’ strategies are most meaningful, compelling, and rewarding when we help other people and groups of people to correct those of these deficiencies that we notice the most.

 

In your corner,

Mike

PS: We can apply these insights with some inquiry. We can explore how our careers (self) and strategies (organization) already align with the things that drive us the most. And we can ask, “What can we keep doing, start doing, and stop doing to be more aligned with those things?”

 

Today’s photo credit: Sandra Fauconnier cc

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