No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work

To make the most of work events, talk to at least one person you don’t already know.

MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito. Take

to identify what you’re trying to control. Milano suggests asking yourself, “What expectation, idea, or outcome are you attached to?

Learning by doing is the best way to discover work you find meaningful. The advice to “follow your passion” assumes you know your passion (and that you can easily make a living pursuing it). Pinpointing what you love to do without working is like trying to choose a spouse based only on their Tinder profile.

Studies show when we mathematize our experiences—by tracking our steps or measuring miles hiked—we don’t enjoy them as much.

Ask open-ended questions. Employees at IDEO start brainstorms with, “How might we . . . ?” “How” asks employees to be descriptive, “might” suggests there are good answers, but not a single correct answer, and “we” signals inclusivity and teamwork.

Set up an after-work ritual:

A job won’t always align perfectly with what we love to do, but there are ways to make our least favorite tasks bearable if we remind ourselves of the people our work affects. In a survey of more than two million people, social workers, surgeons, and clergy members reported the highest job meaning, even though their work is not usually associated w

How often do you remind yourself who you’re helping by drafting a tedious email or cleaning a data set? Understanding