This One Easy Habit Will Make You Better and Happier at Work

Polished, tighter rewrite same tone and length 

One of my mom’s favorite stories to tell us as children was the tale of the traveler and the three bricklayers. In the story, a traveler encounters three men hard at work and asks each what he’s doing. 

• The first replies, I’m laying bricks. 
• The second says, I’m building a church. 
• The third answers enthusiastically I’m building a cathedral 

Although all three men are doing the exact same job, their experience of it is entirely different. That contrast reveals the story’s central lesson when we understand how our efforts fit into a larger whole when we recognize that each metaphorical brick contributes to something greater we experience greater happiness and fulfillment. Like that enthusiastic bricklayer, we can actively choose to find meaning in our work. The why behind what we do isn’t always obvious or inherent, but it is there. Research backs this up. A recent survey of more than 2,000 American professionals across 26 industries found that employees report higher satisfaction when their work feels meaningful. Those same employees are also more likely to receive raises and promotions, and they tend to be more productive and engaged. The conclusion is hard to ignore actively finding purpose in our work may be the single most powerful thing we can do for our careers. But knowing this and applying it are two very different things. That’s why we need to develop what I like to call the meaningfulness habit. 

Shortened version for speeches, LinkedIn, or intros

The story of the three bricklayers reminds us that meaning shapes experience. One man lays bricks, another builds a church, and the third builds a cathedral same job, entirely different perspective. When we understand how our work contributes to something bigger, we feel more fulfilled. Research confirms this employees who find their work meaningful are more satisfied, more productive, and more likely to advance in their careers.

How to Embrace the Meaningfulness Habit at Work

It works like this any time you’re about to start a new task, pause for a moment and ask yourself, Why am I doing this What meaning can I give to this task In High Performance Habits How Extraordinary People Become That Way, author Brendan Bur chard describes a similar practice he calls Release Tension, Set Intention. The idea is to become more aware of the transitions we move through during the day from eating to working, writing to attending a meeting, making a phone call to answering emails and to use those moments as opportunities to let go of tension and set a clear intention before entering a new task or environment. Building on this habit, if we take just a few seconds at each transition to ask why we’re doing something before we do it, we can inject more meaning into the task at hand and, as a result, feel more motivated to complete it. That meaning doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes it’s something significant, like furthering a cause you believe in or helping others in a tangible way. Other times, it’s much smaller peace of mind, progress toward a personal goal, or simply the satisfaction of finishing what you started. Not every task needs to be connected to world peace it just needs to give you something positive. That might show up as a slight smile, a sense of accomplishment, or an increased ability to focus. In some cases especially when you’re facing a dull or repetitive task the meaning might be as simple as keeping your boss happy so you can keep your job and continue supporting your partner or your kids. And that’s perfectly ok. 

Here are a few examples 

• Why am I giving this presentation To gain more support for a project I believe in. 
• Why am I cleaning up my inbox To reduce my stress and feel lighter before I go home. 
• Why am I filling out this spreadsheet To keep accurate records so our team can function efficiently. 
• Why am I attending this meeting To support my colleagues and offer help where I can. Even if we’re not physically building something like the bricklayers in the story there can still be meaning behind what we do. It might be a stepping stone to something greater. It might be a chance to set an example, a creative outlet, or a way to build long term security for the future.