If you want to be happy, set a goal that directs your mind, releases your energy, and inspires your hope.
Andrew Carnegie.
People with a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer, have healthier hearts, and are more mentally resilient.
Work can be meaningful**, which may explain why retiring prematurely is associated with shorter life expectancy and a higher risk of dementia. This evidence also shows why we need a sense of purpose that goes beyond work so that we don't compensate when we change jobs, take time off, or retire.
A person's sense of meaning at work is also beneficial to the organization, as employees with a strong sense of purpose work harder and stay longer.
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The gap between meaning and purpose
The goal may be simple, but that doesn't mean it's always easy to obtain.
One of the biggest gaps between meaning and purpose is the huge divide between what we want and how we act. We yearn for a meaningful life, yet our thoughts and practices throughout the day do not enhance our sense of meaning.
Part of the reason for this gap is that we think the goal is that we fall into something, like a puddle on the road. We also believe in the myth that goals must be ambitious and costly.
But goals don't happen to us, it's something we can consciously cultivate, and it's often much simpler than we think.
Some people reach old age when a lot of the traits in them disappear – his talent, his career, his memory, and even his home, because he ends up needing round-the-clock life care. But his kindness remains, and in the end, it is kindness that defines his legacy and inspires others.
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11 Ways to Make Your Life More Meaningful
I think the dignity of a person does not lie in how much money he can earn or what social status he obtains, but in whether he can use his expertise and live a meaningful life.
A hundred people can't all do the same thing, each with a different way of life. Although life is different, it is the common expectation of modern people to give full play to their talents and expertise, and to revel in this joy, to share it with the public, and to realize the value of their own life in dedication.
Konosuke Matsushita.
Meaning is subjective, and everyone's goals may be different from yours. Try the methods below and prioritize the ones that will help you the most!
Look for opportunities to practice kindness.
Good deeds have the benefit of ennoting the soul and enabling it to perform better deeds.
Rousseau
Look for some of the most meaningful accomplishments and do what you want when you have the opportunity to help others and it's easy for you to do."
This can be as simple as writing a thank you note in your circle of friends or sending a message to a friend who is struggling.
Identify your values.
The ultimate value of life lies in the ability to awaken and think, not just to survive.
Aristotle.
One way to think about goals is to focus your energy on what matters most, and consciously doing so requires recognizing what is most important to you.
Make a list of the benefits your work has brought to others.
A person's value should be judged by what he contributes, not by what he achieves.
Einstein. In one study, Professor Adam Grant asked a scholarship beneficiary to give a five-minute presentation to a group of employees at a university's fundraising call center, and the benefits were staggering. After a month, these employees raised 171% more money and spent 142% more time than their peers.
Recognizing that your work is good for others is a powerful motivator, and positive impact can be as simple as making a colleague have a great day.
Learn to ask questions and listen.
The ear is the way to the heart.
Voltaire. Listening to this simple act makes others feel valued and strengthens our sense of connection. Our relationships provide a huge amount of meaning to life, and social connections also happen to be associated with longevity.
Find meaningful moments.
Appreciate your current environment, love your current life, find meaning in the meaningless, and find fun in the boring.
Roman. Rowland.
Living with purpose doesn't require big, shareable actions that can be shared in our circle of friends, and it's not something that only those of us with dream jobs that feel like a calling can do.
Purpose can also be felt in simple moments, and when they are intertwined, a meaningful, rewarding life can be created.
Here's how to do it: Just like writing a gratitude list, take five minutes to write down at least a few special moments of the week (e.g., a positive conversation with a co-worker, enjoying a beautiful sunset). You may find yourself having more than you ever thought possible.
Be the best version of yourself.
People need the courage to be themselves despite being hated, so that they can escape the shame of not being able to be themselves and achieve true happiness.
Adler. When was the last time you were truly yourself?Think back to this time.
What are you doing?What parts of your body shine brightly?
Who or what makes you who you really are?
Being our best self gives us a feeling of being who we want to be, which can make us feel aligned with our overall goals.
Regulate your breathing and focus on the present moment.
When walking, life is at the foot of this step;
When breathing, life is in the present second.
Zen Master Nhat Hanh "Life is the Present".
The deeper meaning lies right under our noses. Mindfulness, defined by renowned teacher and researcher Jon Kabat Zinn, is the conscious focus on the present moment, training us to consciously direct our attention. Thus, it allows us to quiet the useless noise in our brains and focus our energy on what matters most.
Here's a very simple way to do it (and there are also countless free resources available online to find one that works for you):
Sit in a comfortable position with a straight back, either cross-legged or in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. If you feel comfortable, close your eyes. Start pacing your breathing. You can choose to experience it from your face to your stomach;Or when it flows through the space between your upper lip and nostrils.
Whatever you choose**, be consistent and follow the breath with your heart, eyes, and feelings.
It's natural when you're distracted, just bring your focus back to your breathing. Lasts for a minute, two minutes, or more. (Note: Even if you get distracted 100 times, it doesn't matter.) The benefits of practicing Xi come from paying attention, not judgment, just intentionally redirecting your attention again and again. )
Go outside.
The essence of courage is to live steadily, without the slightest self-deception, to hold a very strong sense of security, and to have a sense of awe and trust in the universe.
Bi Shumin. The sense of awe in the world around us, whether it's from actions that come from "moral beauty" or encounters with the beauty of nature, ignites a sense of purpose.
Research shows that spending some time in nature is one of the best ways to experience a sense of awe.
Find your "go-to" amplifier.
If you want to like your own value, you have to create value for the world.
Goethe. We can all find one or two behaviors with a high success rate that will increase our sense of meaning in life.
It's very useful to have these when we're struggling, or when we feel like our goals are waning.
My "top picks" are small acts of kindness and hiking in my favorite parks. What's yours?
Change your phone's wallpaper.
Something valuable is only meaningful to those who understand.
Plautus.
According to research, we look at our phones an average of 46 times a day, and the number of times adults aged 18-24 look at their phones every day rises to 76.
Take advantage of this and make your wallpaper a reminder of what's important. It can be a screenshot of a special place, someone special, or even a quote.
Get support.
The journey depends on companions, and the life depends on mutual assistance.
Matsue relied heavily on "Mao Blowing Grass".
We are born with a desire to Xi and grow in connection with others, and goals are not something we can achieve alone.
Whether you're struggling to find meaning in life or you want to expand on the sense of mission that already exists, there are plenty of people ready to help you.
From religious and spiritual leaders to professional leadership coaches to psychologists, don't hesitate to seek support.
As a leader, make sure your team has access to opportunities for support and development.
Having a sense of purpose isn't just a good thing, it's also a powerful resource for improving quality of life, health, and impact.
This article was first published on WeChat***"Knowledge of workplace management",id:jobsight