Great professionals want to get 110% out of their career. They want to be the best that they can be and contribute more.

So, how do you get to the point of career fulfilment?

The first step to getting ahead in your career is understanding your role. You must answer the question: “Why does my role matter?” and what does it even mean?

Many people go about their work believing no one cares. They just go through the motions and don’t see themselves as part of a bigger or greater purpose. The result of that is sudden drop in productivity and a loss of motivation to do better.

You’ve got to nip this from the bud. This is a wrong notion. Thoughts are a powerful indicator of performance and action. It is important to believe that you – and by extension – your work matters. When you effectively utilize your skills and talents for a company – you bring value to the company and the lives of the people you serve.

Remember, you function as part of one unit. If not for the contribution of each part of that working unit – the entire unit or in this case, the company, would be in trouble.

The best way to visualize this is to think of ripples in the water. If you think your role is too small – too insignificant that you hesitate to give your best. Then the ripple that you make creates a “bad” chain reaction and all bigger ripples are affected. Remember, no single act at work or in life is only for yourself. It impacts everyone and everything around you.

What you need to do is change your perspective. For the mind is a very powerful tool that can either propel you forward or hold you back. When a company posts an open position on their website or social media, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? Do you think you can do this? That you have what it takes to do well in this role? Or do you think it is a boring or lame role that hardly matters in the overall operation?

The way you see things determines what you will do and be in the future. As a great professional, you have the means to make your role more meaningful. You can understand the connection and the contribution that you bring to the table. You need to understand that what you’re doing now matters.

It’s not about the destination, but the journey.

If you always think of the future you, you miss out on being the best you in your present role.

To sum it all up, there is a saying that “those who think no one cares; think too much of themselves”. So, learn to focus on others. Trust in the fact that what you do matters, because if you work and live a life that matters, then IT does.