How do we know we are doing work that matters?
How can we tell that the work we are doing is work that matters? How do we define 'Matters'?
Probably the answer to this depends a lot on your personal values and culture and society - so a religious group is going to define it differently to a close-knit tribal society, or an autonomous and freedom-seeking modern urbanite. But here is how some others have defined it.
In a study of ethical work Garner, Csikszentmihalyi and Damon defined 'Good Work' as "work of expert quality that benefits the broader society".
The Pachamama Alliance talk about "bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet".
Buddha: "Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others."
Lao Tzu: "If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence".
Rumi: "Your work is to discover your world, and then with all your heart give yourself to it."
I think 'Work That Matters' is work that helps the world to thrive, that makes the world a better place for everyone. I think that giving, not getting, is the way forward. And that many of us want to contribute to something meaningful and purposeful in this way.
Imagine: What if everyone was engaged in work that matters?
Imagine: What if you were?
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