I was told when I was young that I had to use my brain because it was the only way I could make money. As I watch AI eat the knowledge worker world I see how much that advice had to change. The old metrics of title and office size are dead. What we bring to the table isn't certifications or how much we can cram into our heads; it is our humanness.
All of this requires a reframing of work and where we assign value. Our identity needs to be more than our jobs because those are not steady. Having meaning or a sense of purpose may matter most and very few people are taught that. Luckily it is never too late to learn.
Beautifully said. I think you're onto something about the value of "being more human."
Economically, that may be our only comparative advantage. Personally, it may be the best way to access meaning and fulfillment. And the folks who can access and share meaning, may be among the most valued (not "value" in money sense).
It's an adjacent idea had not thought about... thanks for adding to this piece!
Hi Rick, Love this essay. I read everything you write—it always gets a star when it lands in my inbox. So thank you! I’m in a transition of my own right now, and your work has been incredibly helpful.
I tried to create a real sense of meaning and purpose through my career—most recently leading a women's health tech venture—but when that failed, I was left wondering how to begin again. I'm now trying to take more of a portfolio approach (thanks for your writing on that!). I have my kids, I’m investing in my local community, and I’ve started to explore creative play for its own sake. Work remains a puzzle.
Lately, I’ve been circling around the idea that meaningful work might be broad and flexible: anything that aligns with change I want to see in the world, believe I can help create, and feel is possible. And if I stay open, keep exploring and trying things on, then perhaps I will either be hooked by an idea, or I will find great people and join them on a next work venture. For now, I'm taking time in this liminal space to build up additional identities and interests, which I've never allowed myself much time to focus on. It is edgy and requires some trust/faith that a sense of purpose will come again.
Hey Ann - thanks for the thoughtful comment. And I appreciate all your support (your compliment is def going on my 'Wall of Love' archive 😀).
It sounds like you are going through the right process. It's very hard to take that leap of faith, as there is no guarantee where it will land you. I'll never claim that it always works perfectly for people, but for those who are looking for something deeper, I'm not sure there is another way...
To your question about tactics for building meaning (in your other reply), I'll think more about it and write a mini-Note about it, but off the top of my head:
1. White space - time away from others, esp my old network. I'd become good at listening to others, but not listening to myself. I needed to rebuild that first, I think.
2. Follow curiosity/inklings spontaneously - rather than trying to be "productive" or force a transition to some place (which I tried, but got me nowhere), I just really just kept my days open, then followed my curiosity each day. My life had been so overscheduled before, I had to relearn how to do something without pre-planning/forcing it.
3. "What are my biggest questions?" - I've always been really into MEANING (obviously), but put most of those thoughts on hold. Instead, I really just let myself explore that, wherever it led me.
4. "Who do I most want to help?" - I come from healthcare too, and sometimes feel a "duty" there as my impact is more obvious/direct... but I feel a "calling" toward bigger picture questions, like I'm going after here. To me, the question is sort of like: what is the point of health if we don't have a meaningful life? So helping people there is important to me.
5. Process > Outcomes - rather than chasing results/goals/etc. that get me somewheree (work as a means to an end), I'm now much more focused on the work that is an end in itself. Like I want to keep doing it, for doing it sake. E.g. every single morning, I'm excited to write. 100%, without fail. In my 15-20 year career, I'm not sure I'd felt that feeling for even ONE SINGLE DAY 🥺
I'm not claiming that my situation is like everyone else's or these tactics are full-proof and work for everyone. But they are definitely what worked for me.
Thank you for such a generous reply. This is honestly so helpful for me and I'm going to be sitting with each point you made. I’ve been hoping you might write more on this, so I’m looking forward to that mini-note!
1) This really landed. I resonate with the experience of being attuned to others, but out of touch with my own inner voice. And because I'm not finding all the answers as immediately as I'd like, I admit, part of me fantasized that an old colleague will swoop in with the perfect opportunity so I can be done with this in-between! But a deeper part of me knows I need to go through this, and that knowing is what’s keeping me here.
2) I'm just at the beginning of following my curiosity and intuition. Last year, I tried every way I could think of to structure my days and document concrete accomplishments. :) As I read more from you and others about these midlife transitions, I’m trying to shift away from that pressure.
3) This one lit me up! For me - since I was a child I have grappled with secular vs. religious living and recently following “what gives me energy” —I’ve been re-reading the book of Mark with my deeply Catholic sister, who I love. Exploring how humans have sought to live meaningful, good lives across history, especially in a time of rising AI and faltering institutions has me hooked at the moment. It's what I wake up thinking about in the morning.
4&5) I’m still quite intoxicated by duty, outcomes, and impact. I often wonder these days: Is this stagnation? Or becoming? Is this rumination? Or am I doing the work?
All to say, I’d love to read more of your thinking on this. I think it would resonate with many of us. thank you!!
Sorry, I should have ended with a question! :) @Rick, I'm curious if this framing resonates with you, or if you’d suggest a deeper shift. Are there other tactics or ways of seeing you’ve found helpful in rebuilding meaning?
Thought provoking work, as always. Much appreciated. Are 'purpose' and meaning synonymous here?
I suppose one does something for a purpose and does something that has meaning. Grammatically different but similar intent - I have some reconciliation to do, likely splitting hairs for no reason.
Admittedly, the Grammar Gods would never forgive my imprecision!
Yes, I use "meaning," "purpose," and "fulfillment" very interchangeably.
Maybe I shouldn't... but I've been in a bunch of debates about both the technical meaning of each word and how people use them colloquially. And after each one, I feel like we're (like you said) splitting hairs and it's very distracting to me 😅.
Personally, I keep returning to the word "Meaning" as our ultimate aim (like the global term, an umbrella that other concepts fit underneath), whereas "Purpose" may be something specific we do (in order to feel Meaning), and "Fulfillment" is one way to describe a feeling (when in a state of Meaning).
But please, please, PLEASE help clarify things for me. I especially want to know if using them interchangeably gets in the way of readers' understanding.
I won't correct you on these words. I think they are logic brain items that resonates with our intuition. Your use resonates with me. The Tom Morgan piece you just restacked hits it hard. So does Martha Beck - our intuitive self is searching for and is satisfied by purpose/meaning. Either way, I'm no expert on language, just exploring it for myself on my own search.
I was told when I was young that I had to use my brain because it was the only way I could make money. As I watch AI eat the knowledge worker world I see how much that advice had to change. The old metrics of title and office size are dead. What we bring to the table isn't certifications or how much we can cram into our heads; it is our humanness.
All of this requires a reframing of work and where we assign value. Our identity needs to be more than our jobs because those are not steady. Having meaning or a sense of purpose may matter most and very few people are taught that. Luckily it is never too late to learn.
Beautifully said. I think you're onto something about the value of "being more human."
Economically, that may be our only comparative advantage. Personally, it may be the best way to access meaning and fulfillment. And the folks who can access and share meaning, may be among the most valued (not "value" in money sense).
It's an adjacent idea had not thought about... thanks for adding to this piece!
Hi Rick, Love this essay. I read everything you write—it always gets a star when it lands in my inbox. So thank you! I’m in a transition of my own right now, and your work has been incredibly helpful.
I tried to create a real sense of meaning and purpose through my career—most recently leading a women's health tech venture—but when that failed, I was left wondering how to begin again. I'm now trying to take more of a portfolio approach (thanks for your writing on that!). I have my kids, I’m investing in my local community, and I’ve started to explore creative play for its own sake. Work remains a puzzle.
Lately, I’ve been circling around the idea that meaningful work might be broad and flexible: anything that aligns with change I want to see in the world, believe I can help create, and feel is possible. And if I stay open, keep exploring and trying things on, then perhaps I will either be hooked by an idea, or I will find great people and join them on a next work venture. For now, I'm taking time in this liminal space to build up additional identities and interests, which I've never allowed myself much time to focus on. It is edgy and requires some trust/faith that a sense of purpose will come again.
Hey Ann - thanks for the thoughtful comment. And I appreciate all your support (your compliment is def going on my 'Wall of Love' archive 😀).
It sounds like you are going through the right process. It's very hard to take that leap of faith, as there is no guarantee where it will land you. I'll never claim that it always works perfectly for people, but for those who are looking for something deeper, I'm not sure there is another way...
To your question about tactics for building meaning (in your other reply), I'll think more about it and write a mini-Note about it, but off the top of my head:
1. White space - time away from others, esp my old network. I'd become good at listening to others, but not listening to myself. I needed to rebuild that first, I think.
2. Follow curiosity/inklings spontaneously - rather than trying to be "productive" or force a transition to some place (which I tried, but got me nowhere), I just really just kept my days open, then followed my curiosity each day. My life had been so overscheduled before, I had to relearn how to do something without pre-planning/forcing it.
3. "What are my biggest questions?" - I've always been really into MEANING (obviously), but put most of those thoughts on hold. Instead, I really just let myself explore that, wherever it led me.
4. "Who do I most want to help?" - I come from healthcare too, and sometimes feel a "duty" there as my impact is more obvious/direct... but I feel a "calling" toward bigger picture questions, like I'm going after here. To me, the question is sort of like: what is the point of health if we don't have a meaningful life? So helping people there is important to me.
5. Process > Outcomes - rather than chasing results/goals/etc. that get me somewheree (work as a means to an end), I'm now much more focused on the work that is an end in itself. Like I want to keep doing it, for doing it sake. E.g. every single morning, I'm excited to write. 100%, without fail. In my 15-20 year career, I'm not sure I'd felt that feeling for even ONE SINGLE DAY 🥺
I'm not claiming that my situation is like everyone else's or these tactics are full-proof and work for everyone. But they are definitely what worked for me.
Hi Rick,
Thank you for such a generous reply. This is honestly so helpful for me and I'm going to be sitting with each point you made. I’ve been hoping you might write more on this, so I’m looking forward to that mini-note!
1) This really landed. I resonate with the experience of being attuned to others, but out of touch with my own inner voice. And because I'm not finding all the answers as immediately as I'd like, I admit, part of me fantasized that an old colleague will swoop in with the perfect opportunity so I can be done with this in-between! But a deeper part of me knows I need to go through this, and that knowing is what’s keeping me here.
2) I'm just at the beginning of following my curiosity and intuition. Last year, I tried every way I could think of to structure my days and document concrete accomplishments. :) As I read more from you and others about these midlife transitions, I’m trying to shift away from that pressure.
3) This one lit me up! For me - since I was a child I have grappled with secular vs. religious living and recently following “what gives me energy” —I’ve been re-reading the book of Mark with my deeply Catholic sister, who I love. Exploring how humans have sought to live meaningful, good lives across history, especially in a time of rising AI and faltering institutions has me hooked at the moment. It's what I wake up thinking about in the morning.
4&5) I’m still quite intoxicated by duty, outcomes, and impact. I often wonder these days: Is this stagnation? Or becoming? Is this rumination? Or am I doing the work?
All to say, I’d love to read more of your thinking on this. I think it would resonate with many of us. thank you!!
Thanks for all your feedback here!
If you haven't already, you may want to check out my 2nd series: 'Don't Work' where I walk through some of these points in more detail.
https://newsletter.thewayofwork.com/i/149175100/series-dont-work
I have read it all, but a re-read may be in order! Thank you Rick!
Sorry, I should have ended with a question! :) @Rick, I'm curious if this framing resonates with you, or if you’d suggest a deeper shift. Are there other tactics or ways of seeing you’ve found helpful in rebuilding meaning?
Thought provoking work, as always. Much appreciated. Are 'purpose' and meaning synonymous here?
I suppose one does something for a purpose and does something that has meaning. Grammatically different but similar intent - I have some reconciliation to do, likely splitting hairs for no reason.
Admittedly, the Grammar Gods would never forgive my imprecision!
Yes, I use "meaning," "purpose," and "fulfillment" very interchangeably.
Maybe I shouldn't... but I've been in a bunch of debates about both the technical meaning of each word and how people use them colloquially. And after each one, I feel like we're (like you said) splitting hairs and it's very distracting to me 😅.
Personally, I keep returning to the word "Meaning" as our ultimate aim (like the global term, an umbrella that other concepts fit underneath), whereas "Purpose" may be something specific we do (in order to feel Meaning), and "Fulfillment" is one way to describe a feeling (when in a state of Meaning).
But please, please, PLEASE help clarify things for me. I especially want to know if using them interchangeably gets in the way of readers' understanding.
I won't correct you on these words. I think they are logic brain items that resonates with our intuition. Your use resonates with me. The Tom Morgan piece you just restacked hits it hard. So does Martha Beck - our intuitive self is searching for and is satisfied by purpose/meaning. Either way, I'm no expert on language, just exploring it for myself on my own search.
You and me both! 🫡