Even though the number 42 may be the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, it still doesn’t give us a clue as to the purpose of it all. Some look for the meaning of life in their offspring, others in philosophy and still others in work. But what if you feel that the work you do is actually meaningless?

Check out how to Make Your Work More Meaningful. 

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Glossary

• thrive – prosper; flourish
• attest – provide or serve as clear evidence of
• facilitate – make (an action or process) easy or easier
• relentless – oppressively constant; incessant
• adhere – believe in and follow the practices of
• amplify – cause to become more marked or intense
• concordance – agreement

Think about it

Answer the questions below.

• What physical symptoms can result from a life/job devoid of meaning?
• What conditions can facilitate work meaning?
• Describe the conditions Joan worked under.
• How did Joan manage to find meaning in her work?
• What does Joan’s example show us in terms of finding meaning in what we do?

Practice makes perfect

Fill in the blank spaces with the missing letters.

Joan’s example provides a lesson that everyone can use to make their work more meaningful, r _ _ _ r _ _ es of company, industry, or occupation. The key is to l _ n _ your personal values and motivations to the work you perform. To do this, p _ _ close attention to the elements of your work that you find e _e _ g _ zing and f_l_i _ _ing, and then find ways to in _ o _ po _ate them systematically into how you perform your work. Look for opportunities to make an   _ _ the _tic   connection with the people who benefit from your work. Invest some energy in developing positive relationships with others who c_ _t _ i _ _te to the same work results you care about and find energizing.

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