Making a personally meaningful difference

In my birthday post yesterday, I talked about "making a personally meaningful difference." This is an idea I talk about primarily in the context of our careers, but it can apply in any area of our lives.

You'll notice I said, making a personally meaningful difference.

When I talk about making a difference in our careers, people often respond with some version of, "Sure, it sounds good, but I'm just not all that interested in ______________ for a living" They usually fill in that blank with some "do-gooder" stereotype, like joining the Peace Corps, or feeding the homeless and hungry.

Those things might be meaningful, but they aren't necessarily personally meaningful. Forget the stereotypes. We're all wired in different ways. The key question is, what feels meaningful specifically to you? Every one of us has the potential to make a positive impact in the world in our own unique way - and to do it in a way that energizes and engages us.

Far from being limited to a few idealistic careers, the possibilities for making a personally meaningful difference are practically endless. The difference might be the direct outcome of your work (for example, a teacher, a therapist, or a research scientist), or it could come indirectly from supporting the positive impact that your employer is making (like being in sales for an educational software company, or in the accounting department for a grocery store that makes healthy organic food available to people).

The difference you make might come simply from doing what you love with a socially responsible company, playing a supporting role in its success. It might come from helping implement programs within a large company that reflect your values (e.g., diversity training, or community outreach). It could be work that plants a positive seed (like my work, or an investor focused on renewable energy technologies). Or it might come from putting an entrepreneurial flair to work, creating a socially aware company like Clif Bar where the values are an important part of the package.

Of all the bazillion ways to make a difference in this world, what kinds of things are you drawn to? What feels important? What do you care about? What would feed that feeling of gratification? What it's all said and down, what would you look back and be glad you did?

Check out The Occupational Adventure Guide

Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM

 

 

Comments

[Cara]

I like your new blog! I find music and fiction to be personally meaningful, yet those around me believe that these things are frivolous pursuits. How do you handle the conflict between what you enjoy and what other people believe you "should" do?

[Curt Rosengren]

Cara, that's a really common dilemma. I don't mean to sound flippant when I say this, but my first thought is to simply ask yourself who it is that has to live your life, 24x7? (Hint: It's not any of the people who think those are frivolous pursuits).

I see people making their life decisions based on others' expectations all the time. More often than not, that's asking for trouble. More specifically, that's asking to live a life as an impostor.

There may be some valid concerns behind the perception of frivolousness (e.g., I'm worried that if you pursue a life as a musician you won't have enough money to pay the rent). Some of that might be helpful in identifying obstacles to plan for.

Other concerns are often a bias and prejudice against choices they wouldn't make for themselves. There is nothing helpful, and nothing valid about that. Thank them for their opinion, and kindly let them know that you need to make the choices that feel best for you, not best for them.

If you decide to pursue it, read about how others have done it. Talk to people who have done it successfully. Brainstorm ways to keep you moving forward while you're getting traction. Look at different paths that allow you to incorporate those loves, not just the stereotypical paths.

Above all, be persistent.

Good luck!