10 Ways to Find Purpose in the Job You Already Have Right Now

Finding purpose in your career does not necessarily mean you have to drop your current employment to build orphanages in Cambodia or become a community organizer à la Barack Obama. And considering the rising unemployment rates that won’t go back down anytime soon, most of us do not have the time or the financial resources to make a career change right this moment.

So what can we do? We may not necessarily be in the purpose-driven career of our dreams, but that should not stop us from finding purpose in our current jobs starting today. If everything happens in this universe for a reason and right now the universe is telling you to stick at your current gig, here are 10 action steps to bring more purpose to the job that you already have.

1. Be Thankful. Think the universe is depriving you of the job of your dreams? Think again. Nearly 1 in every 10 people in the United States are unemployed. If you have a job right now, the universe is generously providing you with the opportunity to earn income, and provide for yourself and your family. Let your current job encourage you to ruminate on what a blessing it is to have a job right now when so many countless people are desperate for anything, no matter how overqualified and underpaid they are. Let your current job bring a greater sense of gratitude to your life, which will spread outward to the people close to you.

2. Develop More Empathy for Others. Even if your job is the most solitary of all jobs, chances are some parts of it involve human interaction–whether in person, on the telephone, or by e-mail. If your current job is making you miserable due to the people you have to interact with–whether it comes in the form of a mean boss, annoying customer or back-stabbing co-worker–use this opportunity to expand your sense of empathy. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. See what you can do to grow from interacting with this person, instead of having it ruin your day. Consider it a test of compassion that’ll prepare you for the next job of your dreams.

3. Exercise your Sense of Discipline. No dream or life purpose can be achieved without rockstar discipline. So if you’re stuck at the job that is not your most ideal career, use this opportunity to practice discipline so that no matter what opportunity comes along your way in the future, you know you will execute it with maximum efficiency and productivity. Wake up early. Start work on time. Limit your dawdling on online social networks and e-mails. Take initiative on projects that have to be done that no one else is volunteering for. No matter what job you have now, growing your iron discipline will propel you to any place your heart desires.

4. Make the People Around you More Green. No matter what job you are in, you can use your current employment as the means to make everyone around you more green. Such as: printing on both sides of the paper instead of one, carpooling with your co-workers, recycling discarded paper, using public transportation, or in the case of Intent, participating in a volunteer beach clean-up! Even if you’re not working for Greenpeace or tackling green-building initiatives in the community, your humble job can still save the planet, one recycled printer paper sheet at a time.

5. Bring More Joy to Others. You can actually listen with non-judgment when you have to handle a notoriously difficult client. Or you can bring extra care and compassion to your customers with a genuine smile that will lift their busy and stressful day. Take a page from the enlightened masters who radiate joy no matter where they are or what unpleasant situation they are in. No matter what your present job title description says, you can do it, too.

6. Mentor Someone. The career knowledge you have would probably immensely help someone out who is just starting out in your field. Why not give someone your time, knowledge and compassion to help them grow personally and professionally? Consider becoming someone’s business mentor and show them the ropes so that they don’t make the same mistakes that you did. MicroMentor is an example of an online resource that helps people looking for business mentors and people wanting to become mentors connect with each other.

7. Give Back Any Excess Material. Maybe you work in a publication company, and you have a lot of magazines and used books that a doctor’s office or local library can use. Maybe the old printer or desk your office is getting rid of will really help a struggling non-profit in your community. Maybe your restaurant has a lot of excess oil that would be great for people who drive cars that run on veggie oil. Whatever field you are in, it is possible you have an excess of something that you no longer need that others would greatly benefit from.

8. Donate a Small Percentage of Your Income. So even if you immensely dislike your job, at least you’re generating income, right? And if you’re generating income, you can probably give up a cup of coffee or two, or opt out from a few restaurant dinners with friends so you can give some of your spending money to those who are in far greater need than you. If you enter your annual income in the Global Rich List, you just might be shocked how your supposedly measly hourly wage can actually be a matter of life or death for a poor family on the other side of the world. For a list of charities to donate money to, go to JustGive.org.

9. Have Your Company Support a Community Cause. No matter what line of work you are in, it is possible that your company or employer can sponsor, support or host some kind of event that benefits the community. It can be as simple as encouraging all your co-workers to go to a local blood drive, or giving local organizations a place on the office wall to post their flyers and posters. It can be as big as hosting a big community fundraising event. For starters, you can make a company team page on Kiva.org, where individuals and groups can give micro-loans to business owners in developing countries. (See Intent Team’s Kiva page here!) 

10. Practice Being in the Now. Being in the present ‘now’ instead of the regrettable past or the supposedly better future is something that all of us can practice, especially when so many jobs are notorious for living in the future–in terms of the next great business deal, or the next economic boom that will bring greater profit. So even if it’s Monday morning and you’re already itching for it to be Friday, take a few deep breathes and focus on your current project. Become more aware of your desire for the time to already be five o’ clock instead of whatever the time is right now, right this moment. Other co-workers might take note of how serene you are and begin practicing mindfulness as well. Conscious living will help everyone on this planet no matter where you are on the corporate ladder.