For many job seekers, "work fulfillment" ranks high on their list of wants for their next role. But when asked, many can't define exactly what that is. They know that they are lacking it. That it's something they feel compelled to seek out. But when asked, they can't put their finger on exactly what it is.
Why are we so intent on finding this ambiguous thing we can't even define?
Because we trust that feeling fulfilled will give us the contentment and satisfaction we're looking for in our work lives. While that might be true, many of us are looking in the wrong places. Here are three steps you can take to experience greater work fulfillment.
1. Recognize that nothing external will make you feel more fulfilled.
The first step to greater fulfillment is to be able to recognize that nothing outside of you will make you more fulfilled. Many people search for fulfillment outside of themselves. They think that more money, better co-workers or more stimulating projects will make them feel more excited about their work. If you're looking for some external thing to fill you up, you're never going to find the feeling you're truly looking for.
Sure, there are many changes that can take place externally that could have a positive effect on your life. But for a more fundamental change, you need to start from the inside out.
All of our emotions originate from inside us. Sometimes we look at our emotions as if they are caused by external events, but in reality, everything that happens outside of us is neutral. We assign meaning to our experiences, which in turn makes them feel good or bad. This is why two people can share the same experience, like looking at a piece of art, but have completely different feelings about it. It's all subject to your personal interpretation. If you think that a particular situation was bad, it may make you feel angry or sad. If you think that your work is boring and meaningless, you're not going to feel fulfilled.
2. Get out of your own way.
We all have huge potential energy that remains untapped because we allow our egos to get in the way. Our egos stop us from doing the work we're drawn to because we fear we're not good enough, smart enough - or simply not enough. These internal blocks prevent us from experiencing fulfillment. When we're able to get out of our heads and just focus on serving others, that energy is able to flow through us more readily. It's only then that we can serve the people we work with (and work for) more fully and completely, allowing us to have a greater sense of fulfillment.
3. Make a contribution.
If you're not doing work that you think is benefiting other people in some way, not only are you unlikely to feel fulfilled, but you also may feel unhappy or discontent -- especially if the work is out of alignment with your values.
People feel the most fulfilled when they recognize that they are making a meaningful contribution to the world. It's possible to do this regardless of your line of work. Whether you're an entrepreneur or you work for a company, if you send the message that you're providing something of benefit to the world, it's going to be much easier to feel fulfilled by your work.
For example, I worked with a young clothing designer who had no interest in leaving fashion, but was seeking a company that had a greater mission than just making clothing. She ended up finding a job with a company that had a social mission, so that in a round about way, her work was providing some good for society as a whole. Her work didn't significantly change when she switched companies, but her new company's focus was enough to make her feel like her work had a greater purpose.
To feel more fulfilled right now, start creating that feeling on your own. It will begin to open doors for other opportunities for fulfillment in your daily life -- even at your current job. Don't depend on other factors to give you something that you could be gaining on your own!