All the best as you continue to explore the future!

Isn’t that the source of tension in all relationships?

When people start out interviewing in organizations, they would be wise to explore how closely the collective values and lifestyle match their own. But let’s face it: often the need to earn a living overrides what may be a sensible, long-term match.

You bring up an interesting point, though, as you insert the word “meaning.” If an organization truly measures one’s performance against goals; and if one can execute successfully without undermining one’s sense of “meaning” in life; then the working relationship could, theoretically, work out quite well, no?

Meaning is a peculiarly individual and subjective thing. I wonder, if every worker pursued their own notion of meaning, how would that affect the corporate world?

I am enjoying the new temporary home and hope that I’m not evicted before Alex returns!

The definition has always struck me as sensible as well for the same reasons; I especially like the clear implication that it is personal vs. defined by someone else.

I hope you’re enjoying your new temporary home. I like Earl Nightingale’s definition. I take it to mean that once a person is taking steps towards a goal of their own choice, s/he is successful. It’s a very inclusive defintion which extends far beyond goals concerned with material wealth.

Please forgive the single response to two well thought-out comments. Have been in NYC consulting all day and am just getting back at 12:30 am.

The content of your comments is so compelling and fits so well with the post I am about to write, I intend to include pieces of both.

Thanks for taking time to add so much to the conversation. . .

Yes, Sh** happens….so does Magic.

Have you noticed that the grouch, the complainer, the glass-half-empty folks gravitate to each other in the workplace as well as in their day to day lives? The opposite is true. If you are a positive, optimistic, can-do person, don’t you prefer to interact with persons who operate on the same basic principles? You bet you do!

So it is my opinion that ‘happiness’ and/or ‘success’ can be (to some extent) a choice. Are there things that are out of our control? Absolutely. Bad things can happen to good people. But we can make choices on how we respond or react to these bad situations. And we can start by surrounding ourselves by persons who take a positive approach to life.

Another benefit of spending time with these folks is this – a positive person is more likely to be willing to help out someone who is in need. Whether it is passing on some of the good fortune that they are experiencing, or, doing something for someone else simply so they feel better about themselves – either way, some of this can rub off on you.

Finally, many of us work very hard. We spend many hours interacting with the folks at work. Why not find a company that believes in doing the right thing and puts this into action? How do you find a place like this? That nasty word – Networking! Talk to people, particularly to persons who love their jobs, love the companies that they work for. Don’t ask them to refer you for a job, at least not at first. Ask what they like and don’t like about their job, their boss, their co workers. Ask about other companies that their friends and acquaintences work for.

And don’t be afraid to ask if your acquaintance would mind helping you get in touch with those persons. Tell them you’re doing a ‘happiness’ survey! At the very least, you will peak their curiosity and get an interesting conversation started. Doesn’t everyone love to talk about themselves? :)

Jane