Finding Your "Why"

In my last post, I discussed that even unglamorous, low profile 'dirty jobs' can be rewarding. According to a new book profiled in CIO Magazine, "The Why of Work", even 'happiness' is optional. It all comes down to finding a sense of purpose, i.e., knowing why you do what you do.

In this long period of tough economic times, many company perks that supposedly made people "happy" are no longer available. Budgets are lean. As news headlines constantly remind us, basic job security can't be assumed. An atmosphere of persistent stress and worry takes its toll, and "The Why of Work" warns that employees can experience an internalized "psychological recession" that endures even after business begins to recover. The authors are encouraging us to shake it off and get back to living with abundance.

I'm reminded of a book that had a big impact on me in college, Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". As both a psychiatrist and a prisoner in a WWII Nazi concentration camp, Frankl observed that prisoners who felt a deep sense of meaning had a better chance of survival. Some extraordinary people responded to their hard times by becoming even more generous and concerned for others, even though they had every reason to be self protective. Obviously, this is an extreme case (and hopefully your work doesn't feel like a prison camp!!). But it shows that while we may not choose our circumstances, we are free to choose our response. It also shows that purpose can't be dictated or taken away by an authority. Its uniquely individual and belongs 100% to you.

Helping employees find meaning in work is good for business, though. Connecting work goals to a larger personal purpose builds resilience, and allows people to stay creative and engaged in times where change and uncertainty is constant. The catch for managers is that you cannot tell people what their purpose is, and finding purpose can take hard work, exploration and introspection. Its not as straightforward as providing financial incentives, casual Friday, free snacks, or other perks.

At my workplace, two colleagues are tasked with the daunting challenge of 'inspiring' our department. They are wisely avoiding a prescriptive approach, and instead opening some great opportunities for people to explore and share what is meaningful to them. (The Why of Work offers tools like checklists and questionnaires that can be helpful for some people, as well).

I wouldn't say I'm always in touch with my purpose, but I'm getting better at it. A big 'aha' moment was when I started volunteering my professional IT skills towards global health projects and supporting science/technology education. Volunteering is a passion, and it often makes me happy. But it also takes money and precious personal time away from my family. What drives me to make the sacrifice is the realization that I can have an impact on issues that matter. My purpose is aligned personally and professionally. Volunteering builds my capacity as a private sector professional, and professional growth at work means I have more to contribute to social impact work. I'm better able to provide for my family, while actively living and demonstrating my values in action for my children.

Everyone will find their own source of inspiration, but I appreciate that I work in an environment that supports diverse interests. We recently had a 'Take your Daughters and Sons to Work Day". I wonder (somewhat tongue in cheek, of course) what a "Take Yourself to Work Day" would look like. Who would we meet?