As Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Of course, what that is depends entirely on you. Perhaps you love the idea of teaching children how to read, making the world a healthier place or fixing up cars for a living. No matter what your dream job is, finding fulfillment in your career is essential.
A recent PwC study found that more than 80% of people look for meaning and fulfillment in their jobs. “Fulfillment is a feeling we have when we are working in alignment with our intrinsic motivations and gain a sense of purpose,” states the PwC.
Here are five reasons why a fulfilling job is important.
Good for overall health and well-being
Nearly every day, you probably hear news stories or read articles related to mental health and well-being. With the country facing a pandemic of depression, according to reports from the National Institute of Mental Health, there’s been a surge in the movement for more mindfulness. Everyone — from doctors to researchers and influencers — advocates taking time out of your busy life to be “present” in the moment.
Having a fulfilling job may just take care of that for you.
According to Ruth C. White, Ph.D. writing for Psychology Today, an engaging career where you are immersed in a task or activity that you enjoy is a form of mindfulness. People who are passionate and connected to their job find a flow that helps them be focused, attentive and fully present — even while they’re busy working.
Therefore, the secret to reducing stress and anxiety at work is not to work less; it’s to be fully engaged in work that’s meaningful and fulfilling.
Helps fulfill your basic needs
You may have learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in your psychology class. At the top of Abraham Maslow’s pyramid was the need for self-actualization, or the desire to become all that one can be.
Ideally, the work you do every day of your life will contribute to that need. A fulfilling job helps you feel a sense of accomplishment while giving you an outlet for creativity and personal growth. As these needs are met, your confidence and self-respect increases.
More important than happiness
Of course everyone wants to be happy at work, but it turns out fulfillment trumps happiness when determining the value of one’s job.
According to a survey conducted by the Energy Project, an engagement and performance firm that focuses on workplace fulfillment, the No. 1 variable that indicated whether or not an employee would stick with a company was the sense of meaning they derived from their work.
Employees who felt their jobs were meaningful were more than three times as likely to stay with an organization. They also reported higher levels of job satisfaction and engagement in the workplace.
Confidence in knowing that what you do matters
British entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson said, “There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions in a way that serves the world and you.”
Apart from making a basic living, most people want to feel that the job they do is important on some level. The good news is that you don’t have to be a doctor, teacher or social worker in order to find meaning in your work.
Psychology Today notes that anyone can connect to the mission and vision of their organization if they look at the big picture. For example, focusing on giving clients a good buying experience and considering the impact a product will have on a person’s life can help a salesperson feel purpose-driven in their work.
Remember — your job is about more than just you.
Everyone benefits
Far from being selfish, finding work you love and are passionate about is better for everyone in the long run.
A Gallup poll found that people who are disengaged at work are less happy and less productive. On the flip side, this means that when you’re engaged in meaningful, fulfilling work, you’re doing yourself and your employer a favor. Simply put, the happier you are, the better the work you produce.
There are benefits to your personal life as well. If you spend eight or more hours in mind-numbing, soul-sucking drudgery, it’s likely to follow you home. But if you feel fulfilled at the end of the day, you’ll be a happier person when you walk through the front door, much to the delight of your spouse and children.
Are you feeling fulfilled at work?
The only person who can decide whether or not your job is fulfilling is you. If you feel the need to make a change, there’s no time like the present.
For a fulfilling and meaningful career, BioFire Defense has what you’re looking for. Be a part of a team based on trust, integrity, and a shared sense of purpose, while making the world a better place.
For more information or to learn about available job openings, visit their website today.