Reclaiming Our Power at Work
Life is too short to wait to enjoy it. That’s why I created MyPurposeDIY. One third of your life is spent working. Why not do work that matters to You and brings you joy? There is a lot of research, globally, that shows how people thrive and feel empowered by fulfilling work. At MyPurposeDIY we want more people to live this fully, sooner than later.
Globally, we have seen low employee engagement scores for decades. According to Gallup’s 2020 survey , only 31% of employees in the U.S. say they feel engaged with their work. It’s much lower globally. At MyPurposeDIY we believe when each of us takes personal responsibility for our work and life, we are empowered to be, do and have the life of our choice.
Much of the educational process doesn’t help students discover their true gifts or find a sense of meaning in life. Yet, GenZ seems inclined to defy those limitations. Their top priority is financial security but not at the cost of sacrificing joy and fulfillment.
It’s more common for young people in the U.S. to take a gap year now, earlier this was only common in Europe. The time to travel and explore unfamiliar places and perspectives is a key part of discovering what resonates with each individual. It is a relatively unstructured journey of self-discovery, to see what emerges, before deciding what’s next.
Gen Z has grown up in a world of greater social and material uncertainty than their parents and grandparents. At the same time they are more determined than earlier generations not to spend their life on the career treadmill. Even among those who have grown up privileged, few have the clarity of purpose to guide their career path, beyond a basic match making of skill sets and competencies. There’s much more to being successful at work, and happy in life, than skills. This is the focus of MyPurposeDIY.
The pandemic has put relationships and connection at the top. Post pandemic there is a brilliant opportunity, globally, to redefine what security means for each of us and GenZ is a key catalyst to breathe life into this new way of being.
While marketers and media are focused on GenZ being great at the “side hustle”, actually there is a lot more happening than just money-focused cleverness. For example, my 15 year old daughter has been an entrepreneur for a few years already. She’s a great artist (yes I’m proud and biased). She got a local coffee shop to display and sell her art. She loves pets. We have several types (I'll spare you the details) and in large quantities. She is well on her way to create one or more businesses out of her passions. Can this earn enough to make a living? We will see. The key difference is with technology and many new ways of doing business, we are challenging the concept of the “starving artist.”
There are countless examples of people taking control of their destiny. Over time, MyPurposeDIY will share stories of many people and their work journey, living a more integrated life. GenZ is taking back the power their parents had given to corporations. People are not willing to be seen and treated just as a “human resource” or “human capital.” And while many corporate cultures are enhancing ways to welcome “bring your whole self to work”, there is much more work and change ahead of us.
More and more people are seeking fulfillment at work. Few are willing to settle just for a pay check and are demanding equity and inclusion, with a deep sense of belonging. Being an eternal optimist, I see all this with great joy as the opening up of endless possibilities.
This is the starting point of MyPurposeDIY. Let me share the intention behind and meaning of my creating MyPurposeDIY by outlining our manifesto.
Work Is Our Playground
Given that we spend one-third of our lives working, how much richer life could be if work and the workplace became our playground to learn, iterate and grow. There is now ample research which shows that company cultures that truly embrace people bringing all parts of themselves to work, will thrive. A true playground at work is not about fun perks, it’s about creating an environment where people can fully express themselves, explore different facets of their capabilities, where learning over knowing is celebrated.
A place to explore what gives meaning to our life
Purpose and meaning evolves over time. Few are like Greta Thunberg who have a laser focus on what they stand for and act upon it. Instead, most of us find purpose and meaning by how we connect with the product/service of a company we work at. We seek a company culture where our personal values align with the company’s values and we resonate with at least a part of the company’s mission.
We deserve to bring all of who we are to our work
May the growing focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion also reduce cultures where people are expected (explicitly or implicitly) to “fit in.” Many progressive companies are reversing the trend in hiring of seeking “culture fit” as that limits the ability to truly be inclusive and open to a range of ideas and perspectives.
With our innate gifts and challenges
It’s time to go beyond “once and done” personality assessments and on-going ways to explore and develop our strengths. Each person has unique gifts. By gifts we don’t mean just skills and competencies. It can be as subtle as our smile. We also have challenges. While focusing on strengths is important, ignoring what holds us back can lead to self-sabotage. At MyPurposeDIY we believe in looking at patterns and learning from our shadow as defined by Carl Jung, those things we hide, suppress and deny. This leads to truly owning our gifts.
To conceive, believe and achieve a fulfilling life
Before we can be sharply focused on what it is we want to achieve, we must start by conceiving it-- to imagine that ‘what if’ and ‘why not’! ”. As the creative process evolves, what we come up with and what we achieve may be different than our initial idea and likely even better. Can we be flexible enough, brave enough, to embrace and build upon what we did not plan and apply this principle to anything you desire in life? And then believe in what you are creating, with conviction, don’t give up through the ups and downs.
And be energized by your deepest power.
When each of us take full responsibility for our destiny, own all of who we are as unique expressions, we show up self-empowered and confident to be, do and have a great life. As work is our playground, and we bring our full self to work, great things are possible.
To live a joyous life
Finally, we believe joy is more powerful than happiness. Joy is internal, while happiness is external. For example, I am happy when I can be at the beach vs. I experience great joy by being in equanimity within myself.
More on each of these aspects of our manifesto over time. Until next time, remember, you get to choose. May you joyously prosper!
MyPurposeDIY is building a community of people dedicated to empowering themselves, to create the life of their choice and give their most authentic gifts. It takes each and every one of us to create the life we want. Just as we exercise our body for physical well being, at MyPurposeDIY we ask our members to examine their thoughts, their feelings and beliefs as the key to having greater joy and fulfillment.
