What makes your work meaningful?

Be aware of your work situation and ask yourself how you can contribute to create meaning in your work. What can your colleagues and manager do?

Think about your work and consider:

  • What is meaningful work for me ideally? Is my current work meaningful?
  • Does my work have purpose and is it consistent with my personal values?
  • Can I do well at work?
  • Do I make a difference?
  • What can management, my colleagues and I do to make work more meaningful?

Here is what you can do

  • Know what makes work meaningful to you. Consider your work situation and ask yourself what you can do to make your work more meaningful. What can your colleagues do, and your manager?
  • React. Your situation may change, and if your perception of meaningful work changes, you should be aware of this and react.
  • Be well prepared for your tasks. When you feel well prepared for your tasks, the work you perform will often also make sense to you. Therefore, it’s good to be ready to learn new skills and to be aware of your own skills and development.
  • Support your workplace community. Many people find meaning in the social aspects of the workplace. You create a good social community by being aware of how you communicate and behave, for example. Social activities are also about participating in meetings and joint events, and perhaps even organising events yourself.

Last revised at 04. July 2023