Do you feel a nagging sense that you want to make more of a difference? Start today, small.
Whether it’s climate change, biodiversity loss, diversity and inclusion, or mental health—today’s societal challenges are vast and complex. Maybe you recognize the feeling that you want to contribute. Recognizing this is one thing, but where do you start?
Pitfall
“I want more meaning in my work” or “I want to do something with sustainability.” It starts with these desires. The pitfall here is getting lost in the possibilities. How do you determine where you can make a difference? What steps should you take to find meaningful work that truly fits you? When you think about the societal challenges we face, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Understanding Connections
Step 1: It can help to see the connections between different issues. An example: human (mental) well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of the world as a whole. Healthy nature (clean drinking water, fertile soil, a stable climate) leads to healthy people, healthy organizations, and a healthy society.
Your contribution in one area will automatically have an impact on others. When you understand that your efforts are part of a bigger picture, it almost doesn’t matter where you drive change. What matters more is that you take action.
Your Energy & Focus
Step 2: The most important thing is to understand where you can best direct your energy. A key question to ask yourself is: “Where do I feel a deep sense of commitment?”
Think about climate change, where you work on solutions for a more sustainable world. Or equal opportunities, where you contribute to a fair society. Perhaps biodiversity, protecting and restoring nature, or mental health, supporting people in their well-being.
Looking at these topics, which ones resonate with you? Where do you feel energy and urgency? By narrowing your focus, you can make your efforts more effective. The key is realizing that you don’t have and can’t solve everything, and that every contribution—big or small—matters.
Natural Talents
Step 3: Identify your natural talents. To do meaningful work, it’s important to know where your strengths lie. Where can you make the most impact with your skills and experience? The better your work aligns with your natural talents and passions, the greater your impact will be.
To gain more insight into this, consider questions like: “What comes effortlessly to me?” “When do I lose track of time because I’m so immersed in what I’m doing?” and “When do I feel a sense of connection with others or the world around me?”
Reflection
A helpful exercise is to reflect briefly at the end of your workday. Note moments when you felt energized, experienced ‘flow,’ or did something that felt meaningful to you. After a few days, you’ll start to notice patterns.
Taking Action
The most important first step is to start moving. By understanding how everything connects and working from your talents, you can truly make an impact. And the good news is—you can start now, today. Trust that every step you take contributes to the bigger picture and that your work truly matters.
Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
