Amplifying Meaning in Your Workplace: A Guide to Enhancing Personal Fulfillment and Job Satisfaction
Strategies for boosting self-actualization in professional settings
Those aiming for long-term job satisfaction need a sense of purpose, and that's where meaningful work comes in. Selma Fehrmann, an organizational psychologist, shares tips on fostering this sense of purpose in your job. According to her research, meaningful work and self-realization rank among the top five elements for job happiness, along with social connections, work-life balance, and security.
Self-realization involves using your talents, interests, and values in your work, leading to what Fehrmann calls "flow states" - when you're fully engrossed in your work and finding it effective and valuable. By focusing on what gives you personal meaning, you'll act more self-directed, resulting in a deeper connection to your work.
Learning to Lead Yourself: Small Exercises for Personal Growth
Believe it or not, you can actively influence your own job satisfaction. The key is self-leadership - taking charge of your emotions, thoughts, and actions. To find more meaning in your work, reflect honestly on what makes life worthwhile for you.
A powerful exercise is the Ikigai model, which poses four questions to help you discover your purpose:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What does the world need?
- What are you paid for?
Other suggestions: Focus on who you're helping with your work, or regularly ponder on the impact your contributions make toward the common goal. Minor changes in your daily routine can also aid in aligning your job with your strengths.
Professionals can make a habit of noting three instances each week when their work held personal significance.
Finding Meaning in Limited Roles: Enriching Your Job Experience
Even jobs with limited scope offer opportunities for self-realization, asserts Fehrmann. This often happens when you can leverage your strengths more intentionally, such as in team projects or new responsibilities.
For those struggling with motivation in their jobs, she recommends seeking meaning outside of work through creative hobbies, social engagement, or relationships. A "meaning challenge," where you engage in a small, daily act that benefits or inspires others, can help jumpstart new momentum.
Research shows that many people grapple with motivation at work. A study by Appinio in April 2025, commissioned by Awork, found that 59% of employees diligently complete tasks with no enthusiasm, while 7% only meet minimum requirements.
While Fehrmann’s specific tips were not found in the searched data, general organizational psychology insights suggest the following:
- Promote Autonomy: Encourage employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work, fostering a sense of control and personal growth.
- Offer Feedback and Mentorship: Regular feedback and mentorship programs assist employees in understanding their strengths and areas for development.
- Support Work-Life Balance: Encourage practices that promote mental and physical well-being, such as flexible work hours and wellness programs, to help employees maintain a healthy perspective.
- Create a Supportive Culture: Foster a collaborative work environment where employees feel valued and supported.
Organizations can leverage training programs, group activities, and leadership commitment to integrate the Ikigai concept and promote a culture that supports personal fulfillment and job satisfaction.
In the pursuit of long-term job satisfaction, it's crucial to consider community and employment policies that encourage self-realization, personal growth, and career development, as these elements are key to job happiness, according to Selma Fehrmann's research. To actively influence job satisfaction, one can adopt self-leadership practices, focusing on aligning one's interests and values with one's work through exercises such as the Ikigai model, ensuring a deeper connection to one's job.
