Have you ever seen those college career center posters that suggest you Find meaning at work!?
These posters were making a good point, it was just poorly delivered.
What they gotrightwas conveying the importance of finding meaning in work.
It doesnt just make us feel happier; were alsohealthier and more resilient.
It reasonable to believe this applies to non-physician folks too.
Its not a lot.
If you struggle to find meaning in your work, begin by defining it for yourself.
You cant find it unless you know what it is.
What gives you energy?
Who do you prefer interacting with, and what about those interactions is interesting, exciting, or thought-provoking?
The answers to those questions dont have to reside in your current job either.
Just define it for yourself.
Then, seek it out by exploring something different and new.
Here are three suggestions.
Use a coworking space
Mixing up our surroundings can help us see our circumstances differently.
More importantly,loneliness is a real riskof working in these contexts.
Try finding meaning when youre in a stagnant environment and feeling alone.
It wont be easy.
Using a co-working space can remedy both challenges.
This means to shake-up your surroundings so that meaning can emerge.
So, take a news hiatus.
Shut off the notifications or hide the apps, even for just a week.
Intercept the distractions that day-to-day news creates to open space to recognize whats meaningful.
Rather, it comes and goes.
You might even see it in the beauty of blooming flowers outside your window.
Meaning can emerge from anywhere if you look for it.
The point here is to narrow your focus and expectations around meaningful work.
Its fluid and, for many, there is likely not one single career that will create it.
