How to Make your work more meaningful... without changing jobs

Let’s be honest: even if you like your job, there are probably parts of it that don’t feel especially fulfilling. You might wonder if you’re in the wrong role, on the wrong path, or missing some deeper purpose.
​
But here's something worth considering: your job isn’t your purpose—but it can support your purpose.
​
And you don’t need to quit or completely reinvent your career to make that happen.

What's Missing From Most Jobs? Meaning

According to Gallup’s 2023 report, only 33% of U.S. employees say they’re engaged at work. That’s one out of every three people who feel energized, focused, and connected to what they’re doing. For everyone else, work can often feel like a grind.

And it’s not just employees—small business owners and leaders experience this too. Even when you're the one calling the shots, it’s easy to drift from why you started in the first place.
​
That’s where job crafting comes in.

What is Job Crafting?

Job crafting is a concept from organizational psychology that encourages people to take ownership of how their work aligns with their values, strengths, and motivations. The idea is simple: instead of waiting for the perfect job, you shape the one you have into something more meaningful.

It's about moving from, “I do what I have to,” to “I make my job reflect what matters most to me.”

I have used this in my own work and seen massive improvements in my engagement and fulfillment. I've worked with leaders to develop this in their work and teams. So how do you do it?

​There are three main ways to craft your job: by changing what you do, how you relate to others, and how you think about your role.

Three Ways to Craft Your Job

1. Task Crafting – Adjust what you do day-to-day
This is about rethinking your responsibilities—shifting your focus toward tasks that better align with your strengths and interests, when possible.

Examples:

• Taking on projects that let you be more creative or strategic
• Delegating tasks that consistently drain your energy
• Finding ways to spend more time on what you enjoy—even if just 10% more

As a leader, you can encourage your team to reflect on this too. Ask:
“What’s one part of your job you wish you could do more of?”
“What drains your energy that we could shift?”

2. Relational Crafting – Rethink who you connect with and why
This focuses on the people side of work—intentionally spending more time with those who energize you or inspire you, and less time on unhelpful or draining interactions.

Examples:

• Choosing to mentor a newer colleague
• ​Creating more intentional connections with customers or collaborators
• Building relationships across departments to gain new perspective

In a small business, relationships often drive culture—so even small shifts here can make a big difference.

3. Cognitive Crafting – Reframe how you think about your work
​This is about shifting your mindset. Sometimes the work itself doesn’t change, but the way you interpret its value can.

Instead of seeing yourself as “just” doing admin or customer support, what if you saw yourself as someone who creates calm in chaos, or someone who makes clients feel cared for and respected?

Viktor Frankl put it this way: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

This isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about noticing the impact you’re already making—and giving it the credit it deserves.

Why Job Crafting Matters - Especially for Leaders

Whether you lead a team or you’re a team of one, crafting your role creates space for purpose to show up in your work.
When people shape their jobs:

• They feel more engaged
• They perform better
• They’re more likely to stay

Research backs this up. Studies in the Journal of Vocational Behavior show that job crafting is tied to lower burnout, higher satisfaction, and more resilient teams.

How to Start Job Crafting (Right Now)

Here are a few simple prompts to get going:

1. What parts of your job energize you? How can you do more of those?
   
2. What parts drain you? Can you shift or share them?
   
3. Who in your workplace brings out the best in you? How can you connect more often?
   
4. What’s one way to reframe your work so it better reflects your values?
   

And if you lead a team: create space for these questions in one-on-ones or team check-ins. Ask people what matters to them. You’ll not only learn more about your team—you’ll help them show up more fully.

A Final Thought

You don’t need a new job title, a different company, or the “perfect” opportunity to do meaningful work.

Start where you are.

Craft what you can.
​
And let your purpose shape the way you lead, serve, and show up—starting today.

If any of this feels hard or confusing, I can help. I have helped leaders across the country develop their (and their team's) sense of purpose and align their daily work with what really matters. If you are looking for a way to lead your team toward work that matters, shoot me a quick email and let's connect.

References:

• Gallup: State of the Global Workplace 2023
  
• Wrzesniewski & Dutton (2001), Academy of Management Review
  
• Amy Wrzesniewski’s TEDx Talk: The Meaning of Work