“The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.”
– Carl Jung (1875 – 1961), Swiss psychiatrist, founder of analytical psychology
“Meaning is not inherent in events; it is made by people.”
– Dave and Wendy Ulrich in their book “The Why of Work”
Meaning is made. That’s pretty powerful. The Ulrich’s talk about true leaders as “meaning makers.” When we set out to make something effort, focus and conscious consideration of the outcome are required. Otherwise, we don’t make something, we arrive somewhere.
We don’t have to be brain scientist or rocket surgeons to make meaning from our work. It isn’t limited to white collar people with fancy titles. There was a shoeshine guy in the Minneapolis airport who made meaning through his work. He drove 20 miles to work, parked three miles from the airport and walked in to do a 12-14 hour shift every day. He was very good at shining shoes. Even better at telling stories. And better yet about providing a bunch of self-important business travelers with a dose of perspective that not only impacted our careers, but our lives and our families. When you walked away from his stand, your shoes shined, but so did your eyes. Your day was better. Because of him.
The key is to be intentional. To intentionally seek a meaningful outcome. To intentionally put aside the static and distractions that too easily creep in and to seek to make a difference for each person we touch.
Difference makers are, therefore, meaning makers. What a cool calling that is, right?
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