Meaning-Based Business

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I've noticed a trend among those who are unhappy with their jobs: They all long for a sense of meaning in their work. In today's world, the 40-hour work week easily spills over to 60, 70 and even 80 hours of our lives each week, so it makes sense that more and more people want to give their time and energy to something greater than their financial status or the company's bottom line. People want to feel like they are contributing to the greater good and are giving back -- to do this and earn a paycheck, well, that would be a dream job.

The younger generation is moving toward companies that have a sense of social responsibility -- those that implement green practices or have a charitable arm. Many people in their 30s and 40s who are not employed by companies like this are searching for new jobs at organizations they can feel good about; others are taking it a step further by building their own companies with positive social and environmental goals. I left my job at TimeWarner many years ago because I wanted more meaning in my work and life; I went on to start First30Days.

The good news is that every company has the ability to transform itself into a Meaning-Based Business, but it starts from the top with the CEO and management team.

Comments

[maggiemae656]

Forget working for a non-profit organization. Salaries are terrible, and the politics are not really much of an improvement. You do get variety in your work due to lack of resources, and you will work just as hard as you do for a corporation but without the pay. When you find you can't make it on the salary, corporations won't have you, working for a nonprofit is a negative on the resume of someone looking for a corporate position.

If you have the ability to go out on your own, that's the ideal situation for those of us who like to be creative and feel fulfilled. Additionally, this may eventually be the only way we have to exhibit some degree of control over the job crisis in the U.S.

[mamacat]

Those who have a large enough trust fund, so that they never have to worry about working, can look toward doing charitable work, or working for "green" companies.
For most young people, just trying to make ends meet takes all of their time. If more decent jobs were available, fewer young people would enlist to fight a war they don't like.