Why It’s Worth It | We get it:  we all feel unfulfilled in our jobs sometimes, but what if there is something we can do about it? What if we can build meaning and purpose in our workplaces and find happiness in what we do for a living?

In episode 6 of his podcast series How to Build a Life, Arthur Brooks hosts Jenn Lim, the CEO of Delivering Happiness, which she co-founded with the late renowned founder of Zappos, Tony Hsieh. Jenn’s driving mission is to embed happiness and humanity in all types of workplaces, from the individual to the institutional level — making her a great source to unpack why we sometimes struggle to find purpose and meaning in our jobs. 

Arthur also weaves in a conversation with Simon Sinek, the guru of the “why,” and ends with an assignment that will make all of us reconsider the what, the how, and the why we bring to work every day. That way, we can shift from living with purpose by accident to living with purpose on purpose.

All of us ask: “Why do I do this?” from time to time. Arthur, Jenn, and Simon offer some context and understanding as to why this question matters and what we can do about defining what is meaningful to each of us, starting today.

Background | In this episode, Arthur speaks with Jenn Lim and Simon Sinek – experts on defining individual and organizational purpose. Jenn is a Chief Executive Humanity Officer, Public Speaker, and Executive Coach; Simon is a Bestselling Author, Viral Talk Giver, and Founder of the Optimism Company, a leadership training organization. A few key points include:

• Work satisfaction – Even though many of us often complain about our jobs, a significant percentage of people report being at least somewhat satisfied with their work, with the majority feeling completely satisfied. This number has been on the rise in recent decades. However, there is a problem: we are working longer hours, experiencing more stress, and finding it challenging to maintain balance and perspective throughout our daily lives.
• Making work happier from the top – Jenn suggests that leadership needs to make workplaces need to be made happier by prioritizing a people-centric, work-life balance culture. This culture shift starts with systemic change — by embedding happiness “levers” behaviorally, companies can sustain happiness while increasing retention and profitability.
• Embedded happiness in the workplace – Success begins with the simple act of helping employees embody the values of the company. It involves creating a system that rewards autonomy and control, incentivizes progress, and fosters a sense of belonging and connectedness among employees, even when people work remotely. We should ask: Am I learning and growing? Do I feel connected and supported by my colleagues? Am I developing in all parts of my life, and does my job support those efforts?
• Earned success vs. learned helplessness – When we feel like we don’t have any control, that no matter what we do, we can’t affect the outcome, we develop learned helplessness, a state of being that often manifests through depression and anxiety. However, research shows that by focusing on earned success (merit and hard work), we can feel empowered to define our future as we see fit. This sense of accomplishment and a clear path forward can help us address existential questions such as “What am I doing?” and “Why does this matter?”
• Finding our Why – Whenever someone mentions “The Why,” it is time to look for Simon Sinek, and Arthur doesn’t disappoint in bringing him on as a guest. Simon explains that our “Why” is located deep within us and defines who we are as humans. He believes that learning to be our authentic selves in how we show up to the world is incredibly satisfying; working to answer our “Why” is hard but worth it.
• Create a life business plan – Building structure around how we approach our jobs can make us happier. The plan should answer: What needs to be done, Who for and How to do it? And most importantly, Why do it? For this exercise, we combine the“Why” with the path forward and project over the next 10-15 years. What does this path look like? What changes do we need to make today to serve ourselves and others to our fullest today and tomorrow? 

Source | How to Build a Happy Life podcast series: “How to Find the Secret to Meaningful Work” – Season 1, Episode 6 (The Atlantic – November 2, 2021)

About | Arthur Brooks is a well-known professor of leadership and happiness at Harvard University. He is a social scientist and a #1 bestselling author. In his column for The Atlantic, he combines scientific research and philosophical insights to offer simple everyday guidance on how to pursue a more meaningful, connected, and potentially happier life. Arthur believes if we cultivate joy, satisfaction, and purpose (in balance), we can find happiness.