Drilling Down

Research indicates that employees who are purpose oriented find deeper job satisfaction, are more productive and less likely to leave. Employees who see a deeper purpose in the work they do, see themselves, their jobs, and the organization in a very different light as compared to others who view their job as a set of tasks linked to appropriate compensation.

Organizations have the choice of evaluating candidates they hire to check their motivation for the job they are seeking. However, can more be done to help employees find purpose?

Mindfulness programs, which are seeing high interest at the workplace suggest a way this can be pursued. The practice of self-inquiry when inculcated can prove invaluable in finding purpose. The Indian sage Ramana Maharishi is one of the best known practitioners and advocates of self-inquiry to understand the true nature of the self. While the practice of questioning and probing is fairly common in establishing causation (such as the 5 Why method), the similar approach of self-inquiry can be extremely useful in a deeper appreciation of work.

 “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” 

―  Aristotle

 The schematic below summarizes the approach. While the literal aim of activities is visible and apparent at all times, the deeper significance is invariably not.

A good starting question could be “Why am I doing this?”. The initial response would most likely be literal (Stage 1). This train of thought needs to be pursued (Stage 2) till a meaningful purpose emerges. All activities in future should be performed with the real purpose uncovered in mind. It is real experience which finally fortifies true purpose (Stage 3).

 “To find out what is truly individual in ourselves, profound reflection is needed; and suddenly we realize how uncommonly difficult the discovery of individuality is.”

― C.G. Jung

Much like a drill which pierces layer after layer slowly, at times resting to resume after a pause, the discovery of individuality and purpose is the result of hard work, persistence and deep introspection.