Don't Wait to Find Meaning, Give Meaning to What You Are Already Doing

There is an important difference between having meaning and giving meaning.

Having meaning asks: “Is what I am doing meaningful?”
Giving meaning asks: “How can I make what I am doing meaningful?”

That second question is much more powerful because it puts meaning in your hands.

A cleaner may think, “I clean floors.” Or, “I create a clean and dignified place for people to work.”

A teacher may think, “I deliver a course.” Or, “I may say one sentence today that changes someone's life.”

A salesperson may think, “I need to hit my target.” Or, “I help customers make better decisions.”

A parent may think, “I prepare dinner every day.” Or, “This is how I create a home where my family feels cared for.”

The action may be exactly the same. The meaning we give it changes everything.

How do we give meaning?

I would use three simple questions, which also connect naturally with LQ:

Care — Who benefits because I did this?
Don't focus only on the task. See the person behind the task. Even routine work becomes meaningful when we understand whom it helps.

Courage — What can I add that wasn't required?
Meaning often comes from doing a little more than the job description demands: speaking up, helping someone, solving a problem, encouraging somebody, taking responsibility.

Connection — What does this contribute to something bigger?
Connect today's small action with a larger purpose. A receptionist isn't merely answering a telephone. She may be creating someone's first impression of an entire organisation.

This leads to a principle I particularly like:

Meaning is not only something you find.
Meaning is something you give.

We often wait for the “right” job, the “right” relationship, the “right” opportunity or some great life purpose before we believe our lives will become meaningful.

But meaning doesn't necessarily come from doing big things.

It can come from doing small things with a bigger intention.

And there is another level beyond this.

Don't merely ask:

“Does this give meaning to my life?”

Ask:

“Whose life has more meaning because I was here?”

That changes meaning from something we receive into something we give.

And perhaps that is Love Intelligence at its simplest:

Care enough to see.
Have the courage to contribute.
Connect what you do to something bigger than yourself.

You don't have to wait to find meaning.

Give meaning to what you are already doing.