What is meaning?

Work is inherently about making some kind of difference. Something is different when you finish than it was when you started. With that in mind, I define meaning in work in terms of making a difference.

Making a difference is great, but if you want to plug into the inspiration and energy it brings, making a personally meaningful difference is even better. So often when I bring up the idea of making a difference, people respond with some version of, "Sure, it sounds good, but I'm just not interested in ______________." They usually fill in that blank with some stereotypical version of making a difference, like joining the Peace Corps, or feeding the homeless and hungry.

While those things may be meaningful, they aren't necessarily personally meaningful. We're all wired in different ways. What’s important here is what feels meaningful specifically to you. Forget the stereotypes. Of all the bazillion ways to make a positive impact in this world, what kinds of things are you drawn to? What feels important? What would feed that feeling of gratification? When it's all said and done, what would you look back on and be glad you did?

Tapping into that source of personal meaning is another source of energy we can put into success. When something pushes your personally meaningful button, it inspires you. You want to do it, not just because it’s fun, but also because it’s important.  It pulls you forward.