You Matter More Than You Think: Lessons from the Front Lines of Purpose and Resilience

Let me take you to a fire station on the edge of my town, where one rainy afternoon, I found myself peppering an off-duty firefighter with questions about why someone would willingly run toward danger. Turns out, the answer is more tangled—and more human—than bravery or adrenaline. What started as a conversation about heroism quickly became a lesson in something deeper: the simple hunger we all have to know that we matter. If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily grind means anything, or wrestled with invisible heaviness after a tough day, you’re in the right place.

From Heroic Frontlines to Hidden Struggles: Firefighters Beyond the Flames

When you think about the most meaningful jobs in the world, firefighting probably comes to mind. Firefighters are seen as heroes—running toward danger while everyone else runs away. The impact of their work seems obvious. But what if the reality is more complicated? What if, behind the scenes, even these heroes struggle to know if their sacrifices matter?

The Assumed Glamour vs. Hidden Mental Health Battles

Most people imagine firefighting as a job full of purpose and pride. Yet, the truth is that firefighter mental health is often under strain. Fire and EMS personnel face trauma daily, but rarely see the results of their efforts. This lack of closure can lead to moral injury—the deep hurt that comes from not knowing if you made a difference, or from feeling powerless in the face of tragedy.

Greg’s Story: The Rescue Without Resolution

Fire Chief Greg shared a story that changed how I view this profession. As a rookie, he responded to a terrible car accident. A woman was trapped, her legs pinned under twisted metal. Greg crawled through broken glass to shield her with his coat, promising to stay by her side. The crew worked together and freed her. But after the ambulance left, Greg never learned what happened next. Did she survive? Did she walk again? He never knew.

This is common for firefighters. They risk everything, but rarely hear about the outcomes. Over time, this uncertainty erodes morale and fuels emotional exhaustion. It’s not just the physical danger—it’s the hidden struggle of never knowing if your work truly mattered.

"It's not enough to do important work. We need to know our work makes a difference. We need to know we matter."

The Toll: PTSD, Burnout, and Suicide Risk

• About 20% of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their careers—much higher than the general population’s 6.8%.
• More than 57% of firefighters report experiencing major morally injurious events.
• Emotional exhaustion and burnout are common, leading to depression and decreased morale.
• There are at least 100 firefighter suicides each year in the U.S.—a rate higher than the general public.

Greg’s Initiative: Tracking Outcomes to Boost Morale

Greg realized that the missing piece was closure. He started a program to track rescue outcomes and share them with his crew. When firefighters learned that a child they rescued survived, or a family they saved rebuilt their lives, it made all the difference. Knowing the impact of their actions became a powerful tool for suicide prevention and resilience.

Firefighters, like you, need to know that your work matters. The lesson from the front lines is clear: Purpose is not just about what you do—it’s about knowing you make a difference.

When Systems and Stories Intersect: Matter at Work Matters More Than We Think

Real-Life Inspiration: The Power of Story Cards in the Factory

Imagine walking into a factory in Philips, Wisconsin. At every workstation, you see a simple card. But this isn’t just any card—it tells the story of how the part you’re making will be used, and it features a photo and a story of the person who will one day rely on your work. Suddenly, you’re not just assembling a piece; you’re building something that matters to someone. This small, thoughtful intervention transforms routine tasks into meaningful work. It’s a powerful example of how employee engagement strategies can turn ordinary jobs into sources of pride and purpose.

Why Mattering Fuels Performance and Loyalty

When you know your work matters, everything changes. You feel more energized, committed, and loyal to your team. Research shows that explicit purpose at work doesn’t just reduce emotional exhaustion—it builds a sense of community. When you see the impact of your labor, you’re more likely to go the extra mile. These are the building blocks of workplace motivation and employee morale. As one commentator put it:

"Matter at work is not some soft, squishy, nice-to-have idea. It's actually good business."

Simple actions—like sharing stories, recognizing contributions, and connecting tasks to real outcomes—are among the most effective employee engagement strategies you can experience or lead.

Safety Climate: A Shield for Mental Health

A supportive safety climate is more than just following rules—it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and protected. In fire departments, for example, research shows that a strong safety climate can boost morale and lower depression risk, even when burnout is high. When leaders communicate empathetically and prioritize safety, it signals that every person matters. This sense of mattering acts as a buffer, protecting mental health and sustaining motivation even in tough times.

• Workplaces with better safety climates see reduced depression risk—even if workloads are heavy.
• Open, empathetic communication about safety enhances employee morale and engagement.

Modern Threats: AI, Automation, and the Erosion of Work-Based Identity

Today, artificial intelligence effects and job automation are reshaping the world of work. While technology promises efficiency, it can also make you feel less visible or valued. When machines take over tasks, there’s a risk that your sense of identity and purpose at work will fade. That’s why it’s more important than ever to create systems that remind you—and everyone around you—that your work matters. Small interventions, like the story cards in Wisconsin, can help sustain meaning and connection, even as technology changes the landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Connecting daily tasks to real stories boosts workplace motivation and engagement.
• Empathetic communication and a strong safety climate protect mental health, even during burnout.
• Purposeful work and recognition are essential as AI and automation evolve.

Reclaiming Purpose in Everyday Life: From Burnout to Boldness

Losing and Finding Purpose: Julie’s Story of Caregiving Resilience

Life transitions can shake your sense of purpose to its core. Maybe you’ve lost someone, faced illness, or watched your children leave home. These moments can leave you feeling invisible or burned out. But even in the hardest seasons, you can reclaim your sense of matter—often in the most unexpected ways.

Take Julie, for example. For two years, she was her mother’s full-time caregiver. When her mother passed away, Julie felt unmoored, her purpose suddenly gone. But instead of retreating inward, she looked outward. She noticed two needs in her community: grieving families unsure what to do with their loved ones’ belongings, and families rebuilding after a fire or experiencing homelessness. Julie connected the dots. With a friend, she began collecting gently used home goods and delivering them to those in need. That simple act of community support transformed thousands of lives—including her own.

Social Support and Resilience: The Power of Giving and Receiving Help

You might think the problem is that you matter too much—at work, at home, everywhere. But true work-life balance and resilience come from something deeper: balancing your needs with the needs of others. Decades of research show that social support and community connection are the backbone of resilience, especially for caregivers and first responders. In fact, a Mayo Clinic study found that when medical professionals met weekly to share their struggles and support each other, their stress levels dropped and their mental health improved. Their resilience didn’t just help them—it rippled out to their families and communities.

This is especially true for children. Studies reveal that a child’s resilience is rooted in the resilience of the adults around them. When you build your own support network, you’re not just helping yourself—you’re strengthening everyone who depends on you.

Wild Card: How Dutch ‘Slow Checkout Lanes’ Are Transforming Loneliness

Sometimes, small acts of connection can make a world of difference. In the Netherlands, some supermarkets have introduced “slow checkout lanes” where cashiers take extra time to chat with customers, especially elders who may feel isolated. These simple moments of community support are transforming loneliness into belonging—one conversation at a time. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to do something huge to matter. Even a kind word or a listening ear can change someone’s day.

The Awkwardness of Asking for Help—And Why It’s a Gift Both Ways

If you’re like many people, asking for help feels awkward or even weak. But here’s the truth:

"Asking for help isn't weak. It is an act of generosity."

So, whether you’re checking in on a neighbor, joining a support group, or simply letting someone help you, remember: Small, intentional acts reconnect us to purpose, resilience, and each other.

A Few Final (Messy, Hopeful) Thoughts: Why Mattering Is a Shared Responsibility

Imagine this: what if every person in your workplace, your neighborhood, or even your local grocery store took a moment each week to affirm someone else’s value? Picture the ripple effect if, just once a week, someone paused to say, “You matter,” or offered a small gesture that reminded another person of their worth. Overcoming insignificance would become less of a personal struggle and more of a shared mission. Employee morale would rise, communities would feel safer, and the world would feel just a little bit kinder.

Once you start seeing the world through the lens of mattering, you can’t unsee it. This new perspective is both a gift and a responsibility. It changes how you show up for your family, your friends, your colleagues, and even strangers you pass on the street. You realize that affirming another person’s worth isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s essential. As I’ve learned,

“Affirming each other’s worth. It’s not just the right thing to do. It is the glue that holds a healthy society together, and we need this now more than ever.”

Mattering is deeply personal, but it’s also necessarily social. We all crave to feel seen and valued, but we also have the power to make others feel that way. This is how meaningful connections are built—through small, intentional acts that remind people they are not invisible. When you take a moment to recognize someone’s effort, listen to their story, or simply smile, you are helping to strengthen the fabric of our collective well-being. These daily acts of kindness and recognition are not just about individual personal purpose; they are about building a society where everyone feels they belong.

Research shows that affirming worth and building meaningful connections are essential for both personal and societal resilience. When you help someone overcome feelings of insignificance, you aren’t just lifting their spirits—you are contributing to a healthier, more resilient community. This is especially true in workplaces, where employee morale can transform when people feel that what they do, and who they are, truly matters.

So here’s your invitation: What is the next small act you’ll take to remind a friend, colleague, or even a stranger that they matter? Maybe it’s a note, a compliment, or simply listening without distraction. These moments may seem small, but together, they create powerful social ripple effects. The need for belonging is universal, and it is up to each of us to foster it—one intentional act at a time.

The truth is, mattering is a shared responsibility. It’s messy, it’s hopeful, and it’s ongoing. But if you choose to see and affirm the worth in others, you help create a world where everyone has a place, and no one is left behind. That’s the kind of world we all deserve—and the kind of world you can help build, starting today.