Does Your Work Matter? - How a Sense of Mattering Can Transform Your Career and Well-Being

 

There’s no shortage of books on positive psychology and the need for purpose in our lives. Over and over, research shows that with a strong sense of purpose, we can overcome even the most difficult challenges.

But if I’m being honest, I’ve often found the concept of "purpose" to be a little too abstract and lofty for everyday life. I would sometimes reframe it for myself with phrases like, “I just want to make a difference.” Even then, "making a difference" can sometimes feel vague and hard to act on.

While reading Tomorrowmind by Gabriella Rosen Kellerman and Martin E.P. Seligman, I came across a new way of thinking about this: maybe what we really need isn’t purpose or making some grand impact. Maybe it's something much simpler — mattering.

The idea is straightforward: does the work I do matter?
If the answer is no, then it might be time to make a change.

When we feel like our work matters, we gain motivation, resilience, and a stronger sense of self-worth. In contrast, when we feel like our work doesn’t matter, motivation dries up, and over time, it can chip away at our well-being. In fact, a lack of mattering can contribute to depression, a state tied closely to a loss of self-worth.

From this perspective, leaders and managers have an important new mission: help their teams see that they matter. It’s not enough for employees to be busy; they need to feel that their work matters — to themselves, to their leaders, to their coworkers, and to the organization.

Mattering isn’t just about grand achievements or saving the world. It can show up in everyday experiences and efforts, through:

• Personal growth: Feeling like you're developing as a person.
• Professional growth: Expanding your skills and competencies.
• Shared purpose: Working toward goals that matter to the whole team.
• Service: Helping others or serving a larger cause.
• Balance: Having a healthy relationship between work and life outside of work.
• Inspiration: Being inspired by your work or your leaders.
• Honesty: Trusting your leadership enough to have open, truthful communication.

Companies actually have a vested interest in fostering mattering. Employees who feel they matter are more engaged, more resilient, and ultimately more productive.

Interestingly, Tomorrowmind suggests that "mattering" might be easier to act on than "meaning." It's closer to what employers can influence and easier for individuals to see and feel on a day-to-day basis. And with the rise of AI and rapid change in the workplace, ensuring employees feel that they and their contributions still matter is going to become even more critical.

So today, ask yourself: Does what I do matter?

If the answer isn’t a confident yes, start thinking about what changes you could make — either in your own mindset, your team environment, or your career path — to move closer to work that matters.

Because when you matter, you grow. You build resilience. And you thrive.

Acknowledgment

This blog post is based on my personal notes and reflections from the book Tomorrowmind, by Gabriella Rosen Kellerman and Martin E.P. Seligman. The insights and ideas shared here stem from my engagement with the content, and while the text was refined and structured with the help of ChatGPT, the thoughts and interpretations are entirely my own.

The Power of Resilience - Thriving in a Changing World

In a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), one quality stands out as essential—not just for survival, but for true thriving: resilience.

Why Resilience Matters More Than Ever

Human beings evolved with traits like generalism, adaptability, and creativity, honed through the hunter-gatherer mind. These traits are more relevant today than ever. As the Law of Accelerating Returns predicts rapid technological change, many of our current jobs may become obsolete. New skills could become outdated in as little as a few months, requiring us to continuously reinvent ourselves. Soft skills like adaptability and emotional intelligence have become just as important as technical knowledge.

As we navigate wicked problems—those with no single solution and multiple root causes—we also face increasing loneliness and dissatisfaction in the workplace. But what if the key to thriving isn't just preventing harm, but actively building strength and psychological fitness?

Lessons from Psychology and Positive Growth

Psychology has traditionally focused on the negative: illness, trauma, and dysfunction. But a newer branch, positive psychology, aims to understand what makes life worth living. It explores how people not only survive adversity but grow stronger because of it.

Take Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While 25% of war veterans may suffer from PTSD, that means 75% do not, and some even experience post-traumatic growth. What sets them apart? It’s not just what they endure, but how they respond. This is where resilience comes in.

Building Resilience: A Learnable Skill

The good news? Resilience is not fixed. It’s a skill that can be learned. It’s about bouncing back from difficult experiences and growing through them. It's also anti-fragile—not just surviving shocks but improving because of them.

The Building Blocks of Resilience

1. Emotional Regulation
   The ability to manage negative emotions is foundational. It helps us respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. Cognitive reappraisal, a key component of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is one way to manage emotions—reframing how we interpret events.
2. Optimism
   Optimistic people see temporary setbacks, not permanent defeats. Techniques like imagining your best possible self can increase your sense of hope and future orientation.
3. Cognitive Agility
   This is the ability to switch between different ideas and perspectives. Resilient individuals are mental foragers, always seeking new possibilities and options.
4. Self-Compassion
   Being kind to yourself, especially during struggle, matters. When we treat ourselves as we would a loved one in pain, we tap into deeper wells of emotional strength.
5. Self-Efficacy
   This is the belief that we can succeed in specific situations. It gives us agency—the motivation to take action and effect change.

From Individuals to Organizations

Resilience isn't just personal. It applies to teams and organizations too. In fact, resilient leaders foster resilient teams—creating cultures that are more agile, creative, and future-ready.

When organizations prioritize resilience, they go beyond harm prevention. They create environments that promote innovation, well-being, and lasting growth.

Thrive, Don’t Just Survive

True well-being isn’t just about avoiding the negative. It’s about moving from neutral (0) to flourishing (+10) on the wellbeing scale. Tools like savoring, gratitude, and mindfulness help us appreciate what we have and elevate our experience of life.

As Confucius said, "The more man meditates on good thoughts, the better his world and the world at large." And to quote Simeon ben Zoma, “Who is rich? He who is happy with what he has.”

Final Thoughts

Resilience isn't just the ability to bounce back—it's the capacity to grow forward. In challenging times, it's not just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Whether you’re an individual, a leader, or part of a team, building resilience is an investment in a better, more adaptable future.

So, take a deep breath, slow down, reframe, and start moving toward your best possible self. The journey to thriving begins here.

Acknowledgment

This blog post is based on my personal notes and reflections from the book Tomorrowmind, by Gabriella Rosen Kellerman and Martin E.P. Seligman. The insights and ideas shared here stem from my engagement with the content, and while the text was refined and structured with the help of ChatGPT, the thoughts and interpretations are entirely my own.