Finding More Meaning In Your Career

Most of us have sat staring at our computer screens, wondering what the point really is, and if we were actually put on this earth to push papers and move columns or if we could be coding something more with those 8 hours a day we spend earning a living. The good news? It’s always possible to find more meaning in your work, whether you stick with your current job or move to one that’s more aligned with who you really are. You just need to shake things up, on your terms…

1. Reconnect With Your “Why”

Remember when you first started your career and you actually cared? (Wild times.) You probably had a reason, a big “why.” Maybe it was helping people, creating something cool, or earning enough to finally escape your roommate’s pet ferret. Revisit that original motivation. Has it shifted? That’s normal! Sometimes meaning fades because we’ve evolved, not because we’ve failed. Write down what matters most to you now, not five years ago, and look for ways your current role, or your next one, can align with it.

2. Learn Something That Scares You (In a Good Way)

Few things make you feel more alive than learning something new. Sign up for a class that stretches you, whether it’s a public speaking course, coding workshop, or even a first aid certification. You could gain experience with EMS ride-alongs, for instance,  if you’ve ever been curious about emergency medicine or just want a real-world reminder of how powerful human connection can be. (Spoiler: it’s way more meaningful than perfecting PowerPoint transitions.)

3. Become a Mentor (or Find One)

If you’ve been around the block a few times, there’s probably someone out there who could benefit from your wisdom, or your cautionary tales. Mentoring can bring new energy into your career because it reminds you that your experience matters. If you’re on the newer side of your career, flip it: find someone who inspires you and ask to learn from them. The exchange of ideas and support can light up even the most uninspired workday.

4. Shift the Focus

Sometimes, the fastest way to find meaning is to stop making your job all about you. Think about the impact your work has on others – your clients, your team, your community. Even small acts of service, like volunteering  to lead a wellness initiative or starting a “kindness wall” at work, can shift your mindset from “ugh, deadlines” to “I’m actually making a difference here.”

5. Shake Up Your Routine

Monotony is the enemy of meaning in your life and everyone else’s too. So, change your environment, adjust your schedule, or even just start your day differently once in a while. (No, checking your phone isn’t a “morning routine.”) Try journaling about one thing you enjoyed or one way you helped someone each day. Tiny reframes can have huge effects.

So go ahead, shake up your 9-to-5. You might just find a little magic hiding in your Mondays.