Finding Meaning in Our Daily Work
Dr Izak Maree
29 September 2024
We spend about a third of our lives in our workplace. The other third we spend sleeping. That leaves only one-third to spend with our family and loved ones. Add the time you need to do shopping, take care of personal needs and tend to daily chores, and the time we spend at work far outweighs the other time we have.
Our waking times are mostly spent at work. But are we awake? Do we find it a daily grind, or does it fill us with meaning? Do we contribute, make a meaningful difference in our workplace, and add value to society?
Existentialism holds the premise that existence precedes essence. In other words, existence precedes meaning. Meaning is not given—it is found. The power to choose how and where to find it is entirely up to us. Be it in the workplace, in our quiet time, or the time with our families—the choice is entirely ours. This power of choice empowers us to shape our own narrative and find meaning in our daily work.
But how is meaning found? How is meaning created? Can we decide to find meaning? Logotherapy teaches us that meaning ‘ensues’—it cannot be made, nor is it some magical thing hidden away that we need to seek our entire lives. Have you ever thought about how your actions at work impact the lives of others? Ever thought your so-called meaningless 8-hour slog at work was worthless? Switch on the light at home, open the tap, look at the food in the freezer—those are all things that were manufactured and ‘created’ by people like us, people at work diligently doing their 8-hour shifts and maybe thinking their contribution is meaningless. But it is far from it. Society falls apart without people in the workplace—there will be no roads, no cars, no water in the taps, and no warm bed to snuggle up in with your loved one.
Still, think your 8-hour job is not adding value to society? The meaning in your workplace is there—it simply needs you to choose to find it. Rest assured, your work is not meaningless. It is a part of a larger, meaningful narrative that contributes to the functioning of society.
Join us for our next Meaningful Workshop provisionally on Thursday, 24th October 2024
We invite you to connect with us on our website for more details.