What gives you meaning wrote on a piece of paper

Asked to provide a time where her work seemed especially meaningful, a janitor named Lisa cited an experience from when she used to clean a sports stadium, in a story on the website Thrive Global. During one shift, a woman had just vomited a great deal outside of the bathroom door — a spot a line of people were preparing to access so they could use the restroom. Lisa talked about how, as she went to work on the difficult mess, nearly 20 people walked by her to thank her for cleaning the area so that they could use the facilities. While she says cleaning up the mess was itself a lower point, the heartfelt thanks she received made her feel good and helped her to realize how what she does matters a great deal.

That same story goes on to discuss how studies have proven that people are happier, more engaged, more satisfied and more motivated when they find their work to be meaningful. The author solidified these beliefs further through the story, which recovered reactions similar to that of Lisa’s — that janitors enjoyed the praise, bud didn’t receive it enough.

The story provides some quick ideas on how to provide more meaningful work. The author suggests people provide meaning by acknowledging people through regular acts, showing them how their contributions are felt, and by providing meaning to people outside of the workplace.

The best managers and employers in the cleaning industry provide meaning to the work of their employees. Instead of viewing frontline workers as expendable pieces that will soon have to be replaced anyway due to turnover, make them know, constantly, that what they do has a positive impact on many lives. Sharing this knowledge isn’t a difficult act to carry out — actually, it couldn’t be more simple — and it’s great for business. Click here for some tips on how to make employees feel more valued, via Contracting Profits.