Make Meaning to Spark Motivation
(Without Sounding Like a Walking Mission Statement)
You’ve seen it. Maybe you’ve been it—the glazed eyes. The robotic checkbox ticking. The “I’m just here so I don’t get fired” vibe. It’s not burnout. Not boredom. It’s sneakier than that: disconnection from meaning.
That’s where the Clarity Habit “Make Meaning” swoops in wearing a cape (but like, a practical one with pockets). This habit is your invitation to step out of the task tornado, zoom out, and say: “Hey team, this matters.”
It’s not fluff. It’s fuel.
What “Make Meaning” Means (Hint: It’s Not a TED Talk)
This isn’t about plastering “vision” posters on the breakroom fridge next to someone’s 3-week-old yogurt.
“Make Meaning” means helping people see the purpose behind the process—in daily chats, emails, Teams messages, project updates, hallway banter. Anywhere people might forget that their work does more than fill spreadsheets.
You’re not just assigning tasks. You’re giving people a “why.”
NOTE: We have nothing against TED Talks; they’re great.
In fact, you can watch Karin’s TEDx here: The Secret to Getting Remarkable Ideas You Can Actually Use
Why Making Meaning Works (And Why It Matters More Than Ever)
Because humans aren’t just productivity machines. They want to matter. When people know why they’re doing something, wild things happen:
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Motivation climbs. (“Wait… this helps real people? I’m in.”)
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Focus sharpens. (Because when you know the “why,” the “what now?” is easier.)
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Engagement deepens. (Tasks stop feeling like a grind and start feeling like a contribution.)
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Commitment replaces compliance. (Nobody gets jazzed about just “following orders.”)
Meaning is what moves us from “I guess I’ll do it” to “This is important, and I’m part of it.”
Why Connecting to Why is Harder Than It Sounds (But Still Worth It)
It’s easy to assume people already know the why. Or to speed past it in our rush to just get. it. done.
But even a two-second reframe can shift a whole conversation. Try it:
“This is so important because…”
Boom. Fuel. Connection. Instant clarity.
See Also: Why to Explain Why Again
Make It Real (Without Sounding Like a Corporate Buzzword Generator)
Want to practice the Make Meaning habit in ways that feel natural, not forced? Try these:
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Drop your go-to phrase. Say “This is so important because…” in kickoffs, updates, casual convos—anywhere context might help.
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Connect people to people. “This makes life easier for our customers/colleagues/the janitor who’s still trying to find the mystery smell.”
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Spot the ripple effect. “If we get this right, it unlocks ___.”
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Celebrate more than metrics. “Yes, we hit the number—but we also built something better.”
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Ask others. “What feels most meaningful about this for you?”
Try These Powerful Phrases on for Size
Here are a few more powerful phrases to make meaning land without sounding like you swallowed a mission statement:
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“Here’s how this connects to the bigger goal…”
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“This reminds me why we do what we do.”
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“Our work on this helps the whole system run smoother.”
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“This matters because it builds trust.”
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“When we do this well, it changes things for real people.”
Three Quick Habit Builders (Mini-Personal Experiments)
- The Daily Drop: For 30 days, say “This is so important because…” once a day. Watch how the vibe shifts.
- Purpose Journaling: At the end of each day, jot down one moment your work meant something. Not epic—just real.
- Context Booster: Each week, pick a project and share a two-sentence “why it matters” blurb with your team. Watch what happens next.
Read more on the power of mini-personal experiments to create habits.
The Bottom Line
Meaning isn’t a cherry on top—it’s the cake. When you help others see the purpose behind the task, you don’t just get things done—you build pride, connection, and momentum.
And it all starts with:
“This is so important because…”
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