Open Mike #8: 3 Proven Ways To Boost Your Mental Health Through Meaningful Work

At the beginning of the year, a good friend called me, and we started talking about new habits we wanted to develop in 2025. At one point, he asked me, “What does it look like to find meaning at work?” It thought to myself, "Wow that is a loaded question!" In a world where so much of our identity is tied to our jobs, the idea of finding deeper meaning can feel both inspiring and overwhelming.

I wanted to give him a clear answer, so I shared three practical indicators of meaningful work. Most importantly, I reminded him that finding meaning at work doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. If our only purpose is to work for money or status, life becomes unfulfilling. Meaningful work not only improves our mental health but also provides a sense of purpose that energizes us.

Although more companies are acknowledging the importance of meaningful work, many leaders still struggle to understand what this looks like in practice. Here are three essential tips to help you or your team find more meaning at work.

1. Find a Calling Over a Career

Take my friend Nicole, for instance. As a nurse, she sees her work as more than just performing medical tasks she views it as an opportunity to heal people and bring comfort to their lives. This perspective gives her a deep sense of fulfillment and reinforces her belief that her efforts genuinely make a difference.

When your career aligns with your calling, work becomes less of an obligation and more of a higher purpose. It’s no longer just about showing up to complete tasks; it’s about contributing to something meaningful. Like Nicole, finding your calling can transform how you approach your work and the impact you create.

2. Express Your Values

It’s important to know your personal values and understand how they align with your organization’s values. When you live out those values in your workplace, you’re more likely to feel connected to your work. Some examples of values include diversity and inclusion, innovation, growth, trust, fairness, or community impact.

For instance, if you value innovation but work in an environment resistant to change, it can feel stifling. However, finding ways to express that value like championing small process improvements—can help you create meaning in your role. Identifying and living out your values is a vital step toward meaningful work.

3. Engage in Prosocial Behavior

Does your work positively impact others or your community? Ultimately, we all want to feel like our work matters. Seeing the tangible results of your efforts or hearing how your work has helped someone can deepen your sense of purpose.

Take teachers, for example. While the job can be challenging, many find immense satisfaction in seeing their students succeed. Even if your role isn’t directly tied to service, volunteering for community projects or mentoring colleagues can infuse meaning into your workday.

Overcoming Barriers to Meaningful Work

Finding meaning at work isn’t always straightforward. Barriers such as unsupportive leadership, misaligned values, or lack of recognition can make it difficult. However, there are steps you can take. Start by having open conversations with your manager about your goals and values. Seek out projects that align with your passions, or consider making small changes in your daily tasks to better reflect your strengths.

Leaders, on the other hand, must create environments where employees feel valued and connected to a higher purpose. Offering mentorship opportunities, encouraging community involvement, and emphasizing shared organizational values can make a significant difference.

Final Thoughts

Finding more meaning at work can be a complex pursuit, but these three elements following a calling, living your values, and engaging in prosocial behavior offer a solid foundation. When our employees seek more meaning in their roles, leaders must equip them with the tools to discover it. After all, when work is meaningful, it becomes more than a paycheck; it becomes a path to fulfillment.

WORD ON THE STREETS

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Wellness programs often start with good intentions, but let’s be honest they’re not hitting the mark when it comes to lasting health changes for employees. Many programs rely on things like fitness challenges with cash rewards, which grab attention at first, but participation usually fizzles out. The issue? These programs often focus on short-term results instead of creating real, lasting change. To make wellness programs work, companies need to shift from quick fixes to meaningful strategies that truly support employees’ well-being.

Here’s how to move from transactional to transformational wellness programs:

• Personalization: Design programs that meet the diverse needs of employees. Not everyone wants a fitness challenge—some might need stress management tools, nutrition advice, or flexible wellness options.
• Intrinsic Motivation: Help employees focus on self-driven reasons for change, like feeling better, improving energy levels, or building healthier habits not just chasing incentives.
• Community Support: Build a network of peer encouragement and expert guidance to foster accountability and shared purpose. People are more likely to stick with healthy habits when they feel supported.

Incentives are fine as a bonus, but they can’t carry the program. Think of them as the icing and not the cake. A good wellness program should empower employees to make changes that last long after the rewards are gone.

Tools for Thriving

Viktor E. Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning” is a true classic, and if you’re on a journey of personal growth, looking for fulfillment, or just trying to better understand life’s ups and downs, it’s a must-read. I first picked it up during my own search for purpose, and it completely changed the way I view life. Frankl’s insights on finding meaning, even in the toughest circumstances, hit home in a way that stays with you.

This book is packed with wisdom, and I promise you won’t finish it the same person you were when you started. It’s one of those rare reads that shifts your perspective and leaves you feeling more grounded, more intentional, and more connected to what truly matters. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and grab a copy, it’s worth every page.

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