Getting fast food one day, my wife and I had a discussion regarding the importance of frontline workers and how essential they are in the workforce. It takes special people to serve the general public whether it’s in front of a stove or cash register or answering calls behind a desk. You’re important and so is your job or career!
You help meet the needs of society and are the lifeblood of an organization or corporation. Finding the meaning to your job is vital for career progression and knowing your value is directly tied to creating meaning to your role. So how do we create meaning working a job we don’t necessarily like or see ourselves progressing in? Or a job we love but need a renewed sense of value?
Speaking from experience, a job that is looked at as a ‘stepping-stone’ initially or temporarily for a season, could be the career we were looking for all along. I learned that working in a call center. Seeing the bigger picture (long term goals, understanding the company’s vision and impact) and growing where we are planted, plays a huge role in creating meaning while finding success at our job.
Looking at the value of the job and how it impacts us, our peers, and society as a whole, can give us a new or renewed sense of meaning or purpose as well. Putting a smile on people’s faces or receiving accolades from customers and leaders can also give us renewed meaning on the job.
I saw and believed in the vision of my company and saw the value of helping/serving people. We dispatched roadside assistance to stranded motorists as well as helped guests with issues they faced with their vehicles. Though challenging at times, I felt a great sense of achievement and meaning, especially when I transitioned to a leadership role and saw my employees flourish. I told myself and my peers that I was going to be a leader on the ‘who’s who’ wall at my job and focused on accomplishing my goals.
Though it took some time to achieve (mainly after getting out of my own way) my goals became a reality. A Paradigm Shift is what I needed to help with my growth. As well as leaders who were willing to take the time to help me grow in the position. Having an attitude of gratitude helped put things into perspective and helped me stay focused and refreshed along the way. But start with creating goals, checking them off as you complete them, and counting the wins on your journey.
Knowing your key performance indicators and progress can help inspire you to keep reaching goals. What are my metrics? What are my daily tasks? How can I meet them consistently? How do they impact the organization as a whole? How close am I to my goals? Performance bonuses or incentives can help with motivation and personal drive also. Seeing how our scorecard impacts the team, department, and organization can create more meaning to our job. This goes back to seeing and adopting the vision or mission of the company.
You may be in college and are working a job just until you obtain your degree. Or working a part-time job for extra income. You can still find meaning in the job and advance while you’re there for that season. Just continue to reflect on why you took the job, how it benefits you and those around you, and how you play a pivotal role in the success of the organization and its impact on society. Though some days may not feel like it, remember: you’re valuable, you’re needed, appreciated, making an impact, and the right person for the job!
Not Your Average Boss 