GNT #115: Fulfilling work is more than just happiness

read time: 3.5 minutes

Many years ago, I landed what I thought was my dream role. It checked all the boxes: great title, solid salary, a company I admired. Everyone around me congratulated me.

“You must be so happy!” they said.

And for a while, I was.

But after the excitement wore off, something felt off. I wasn’t miserable — but I wasn’t fulfilled either. I kept thinking: "Shouldn’t I feel happier than this?"

I pushed through, telling myself it was just a phase. But as time went on, I felt more restless. I started wondering: "Is this all there is?"

I wasn’t alone. Conversations with colleagues and friends revealed a common theme: many of us were chasing the next milestone, the next promotion, the next achievement — hoping it would finally bring the happiness we expected.

But it never quite landed the way we thought it would.

That’s when I started to get it: happiness alone isn’t enough.

So what actually makes work fulfilling?

Today, we’re breaking down the 4 pillars of meaningful work — what truly makes us feel engaged, driven, and satisfied in the long run. If happiness has ever felt like a moving target, this will give you a new perspective on what to aim for instead.

Let’s dig in.
 

Why happiness alone isn’t enough

Most of us equate happiness with comfort and ease — feeling good in the moment. But meaning? Now that's something else entirely. It’s about belonging, purpose, and impact. It’s about knowing that what you do matters — to you and to others.

When we only chase happiness in our careers, we often end up:

• Feeling lost once we achieve our goals. (“I got the job, the salary, the title… so why do I still feel empty?”)
• Jumping from job to job in search of something more.
• Experiencing burnout because happiness is fragile.

But people who find meaning in their work?

They’re more resilient. They push through setbacks. They wake up with a reason to keep going.

So, how do you move beyond happiness and build a fulfilling work life?

The 4 pillars of meaningful work

Instead of asking: “How can I be happier at work?”

Try asking: “How can I make my work more meaningful?”

Psychologists and researchers, including Martin Seligman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and Emily Esfahani Smith, have studied what makes work (and life) feel meaningful. Their research shows that fulfillment in work comes from 4 core pillars:

1. Belonging – Who do you work with?

You don’t need a “perfect” job to feel fulfilled — you need the right people around you. A strong work culture, genuine relationships, and a sense of being valued can completely change how you experience your job.

💡 Action: Start small. Invest in your work relationships. Be present in conversations. Recognize and appreciate others for who they are — not just for what they do.

2. Purpose – Who do you serve?

Your purpose is more than what you do. It’s also about who you impact. Whether you’re a CEO, a teacher, or a barista, your work has the power to serve others. And what may seem insignificant today could actually be paving the way for many others coming after you.

💡 Action: Identify one way your work helps someone. Focus on that, and let it be a source of motivation.

3. Transcendence – What takes you beyond yourself?

Have you ever been so deep into your work that time seems to disappear? That’s transcendence. It’s those moments where you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

💡 Action: Notice what moments make you feel deeply engaged at work. How can you create more of them?

4. Storytelling – What story do you tell yourself about your work?

The way you frame your work shapes how you experience it. If you see your job as a series of frustrating tasks, that’s what it will be. But if you see it as a way to grow, contribute, and create impact — that changes everything.

💡 Action: Rewrite your work story. Instead of saying, “I have to do this,” try, “I get to do this.” 

Takeaway

If happiness at work feels out of reach, stop chasing it.

Instead, focus on meaning.

Find belonging, commit to a purpose, seek moments of transcendence, and reframe your story.

Looking back, I can now see that my “dream job” wasn’t the problem. The missing piece was my connection to these four pillars. Once I started shifting my focus from happiness to meaning, things started to click (like over $1M raised for cancer research, read more on that story here and here).

And that’s what I want for you, too. 

Which pillar might be missing from your work today?

Thanks for being meaningful to me. See you next week.

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If you liked this article, you might also like:

GNT #094: Don’t Find Your Dream Job, Craft Your Dream Day
GNT #092: Six Life Lessons I Wish I'd Heard Sooner
GNT #089: The 4 Career Freedoms You Want

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