TED Talk 4 Characteristics of Meaningful Work

TED Talk 4 Characteristics of Meaningful WorkTED Talk 4 Characteristics of Meaningful Work15But maybe you should change your thinking. Consider what made that memorable workday special most likely, you gave something ofyourselfto the tasks at hand, and in return, received something that fed your sense of satisfaction. The end result came about thanks to a connection that was made at a deeply personal level. Thats how meaningful work is made meaningful to us.Thinking about such a day can be a good way to inform how you look for a job. Many of us are not simply looking for a paycheck, but for work that has meaning and provides a service or product that means something to others as well.In a TED Talk filmed in October 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dan Ariely addresses just such concerns.Arielys fascinating discussion touches on a number of factors that affect how we feel about our working lives. One factor is the so-called IKEA effect, named after the well-known store where people pu rchase furniture that they often have to assemble themselves. The IKEA effect addresses the fact that people feel particularly good about their assemble-it-yourself IKEA furniture, because theyve invested a lot of personal time and energy to achieve the end result.As you move forward in your career, here are some work characteristics from Arielys TED Talk that may come into play in your job search for meaningful workCreativity.If creativity for you means producing goods or services, consider careers in artistic and creative fieldswhere you can help the public directly, or create goods that bring enjoyment to you and others. Creativity comes via many channels, of course, so think about what really scratches your creative itch. Is it counseling people and coming up with ways to help them? Working at a nonprofit could fill the bill. Are you a techie who enjoys innovation in computers? Ajob in the technology sectormay be your path to creativity.Challenge.Feeling challenged by your work is key to finding job satisfaction. If you were bored in your belastung job, consider new approaches to get out of your slump. While challenge is good, Ariely notes, no one wants to feel like Sisyphus, the Greek character doomed to endless push a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down. Keep your own personal progress in mind- and more concretely, how you can customize your resume to reflect your accomplishments.Ownership and Identity.Being invested and feeling a sense of personal progress brings a sense of purpose to your work, Ariely says. Your investment of time and energy in your work are the foundation of that feeling of ownership. Finding an employer that appreciates- and rewards- your efforts is icing on the cake.Pride.Who doesnt want to feel proud about their work at the end of the day? Keep that goal uppermost in mind as you go about your job search. Will you feel a sense of pride about your work accomplishments at the end of the day?Readers, are you looking for m eaningful work? What makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day?