I was asked recently to identify my most memorable job from the last 30 years as a freelance writer and copywriter.
The interviewer was probably expecting me to come up with a job I did for one of my big-name clients from the past, like Apple, Yahoo! or Chrysler.
But I didn’t. My most memorable job is one I did for a friend about 25 years ago. I wrote a direct mail letter to help him grow his one-man business. And it worked gangbusters. In fact, a week after the mailing was sent out he had to hire three more people to keep up with demand.
Why was that job more satisfying than some huge project I did for a much bigger company?
It was satisfying because I could clearly see the results. I could see by how much I had helped my friend and his company.
In other words, I had made a difference and could see it.
With much of our work, we never really get to know if our contribution made any significant difference… The writing work I did for Apple may have been good, but it certainly didn’t change the trajectory of the company. I couldn’t see the difference I had made.
This is important, because as humans we find it deeply satisfying when we can see that our skills and hard work are actually worth something.
Working for money is one thing. But making money is not as meaningful to us as the knowledge that what we do has meaning, and that our work can change lives.
I’m not suggesting you stop working for larger companies, but you might want to consider an occasional job for some very small companies or causes. It doesn’t matter what they pay you, or whether they pay you at all. I never took a penny from my friend.
What matters is that from time to time you get to see and feel that the work you do is important.
NOTE: If you want help in finding the meaning in your own work, check out my coaching service for freelancers.
About the author: Nick Usborne is an online writer, copywriter, author and coach. Read more…