Finding meaning
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A perspective to find meaning in everything you do

Finding meaning in things we do is not that difficult. A mindful perspective towards the things we do can help us gain control. It can help us find our why and a reason to do things.

Mindfulness
Finding meaning in things we do is not that difficult. A mindful perspective towards the things we do can help us gain control. It can help us find our why and a reason to do things.

Paritosh Pundir

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Do

Actions to take

  • Be positive about the things you do
  • Write down your thoughts that motivate you
  • Learn from your happy moments

Remember

Expanded perspective

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy was visiting Nasa where he introduced himself to a janitor who was mopping the floor. The president asked him about his role at Nasa and he responded: “I’m helping put a man on the moon!“.

This is what having why is all about. Finding the purpose and reason in the things you do every single day. It is all about finding meaning for yourself in your work and life.

Find your why

While it is important to find a why in things you do, it is not that straightforward, but still easy. It is easy to figure out meaning in what you do. When you start doing something, there is a reason, even if you are forced to do it. Your boss asked you to do something, you have to do it otherwise your job is on the line. This might not seem like a why, but this is definitely your why for that particular task.

If you are not satisfied with your job. You still have a why. You have to work at this job as you have bills to pay and a family to support. Your why doesn’t have to be inspiring or full of ambitions, it has to be realistic. This helps you stick along on those tough days when nothing seems to work in your favor.

Some people find positive meaning in things they do, while others start with a negative mindset. No matter what your perspective is, you have to do it, so why not do it with a positive mindset. For e.g., you are sitting in your bed after dinner and you have to do the dishes.

There is fun in everything we do

You can think of it as a task that you don’t like doing and force yourself to do it and feel tortured as you do it. Or you can look for a reason, why you should do it? Tomorrow you have to go out early in the morning and if you don’t do the dishes you will not have any utensils to cook your breakfast on time.

Finding meaning is not about finding the goal or purpose of your life, but a positive perspective towards things you have to do.

Not everything will be life changing

Not everything you do has to change the world or make the world a better place. There are small things that control our world and make it better for us and the people around us. We can have an impact on our or someone else’s life or day even with very small actions.

Like greeting someone with a smile can have a positive effect on their day. Even being more mindful and attentive when you ask someone “how are you?”. The next time when you ask someone, just look into their eyes while asking this question and observe those non-verbal messages which are missed most of the time. This mindfulness can only come when you know why you are asking this question and are you genuinely interested in knowing?

Observe even the right things

Sometimes when things go right, we don’t pay much attention to why they went right. Try observing the things that have gone right and figure out what drove you to get it done. You will be able to see interring patterns on things that drive you do get things done. This will also help you understand what makes you excited about doing things and what are the things you would like to do.

Finding meaning in everything you do by being mindful about what you do.

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