When it comes to work, compensation, benefits, and job security are essential factors to consider. However, a sense of meaning and purpose may be even more crucial, particularly as we spend one-third of our life at work. Feeling like our work has meaning and is aligned with our personal values leads to a sense of purpose and increased engagement.

Establishing a sense of purpose is a key driver for why some individuals choose to become freelancers. They feel they can wrestle back control over their lives and their agenda when they are independent contractors. But the good news is that this freelancer mindset can teach all workers, self-employed or otherwise, how to create meaning in and at work.

Meaning in our work comes from doing work that is aligned with our interests and values and empowers us with the autonomy and freedom to design how we do our work. When we have control and flexibility over how we generate outputs, we can find our own unique work "flows" and move toward our professional callings.