Perks and Purpose: The Two Sides of Career Happiness

Ask ten people what a successful career looks like, and you’ll get ten very different answers. For some, it’s about money. For others, it’s titles, prestige, or the freedom to work from anywhere. These things matter but they aren’t the full picture.

You could have the “perfect” job on paper and still wake up on Monday feeling flat. Something could feel missing. That’s where career happiness comes in. I’m talking about a deeper, everyday happiness that threads through your work and life.

Psychologists call this hedonic and eudaimonic happiness. Fancy terms, but the idea is simple: perks and purpose. Comfort that keeps you going and meaning that keeps you growing.

The Everyday Joy: Hedonic Happiness

Hedonic happiness is the little things that make work feel lighter. It’s that small smile when you finish a task. It’s laughter in a meeting. It’s closing your laptop on a Friday afternoon and feeling accomplished.

Examples of hedonic happiness include:

• A manager who says thank you in a genuine way
• A flexible schedule that gives breathing room
• Colleagues who make work enjoyable
• The quiet pride of having your efforts recognized
• A bonus, a day off, or a coffee break that feels truly earned

These might seem small but they matter. Hedonic happiness keeps work from becoming a grind. Without it, even a job you love can feel heavy. Meetings drag, emails become chores, and the spark fades. Hedonic happiness is fuel for your career.

The Deeper Kind: Eudaimonic Happiness

Eudaimonic happiness is deeper and slower. It doesn’t always feel pleasant in the moment. Sometimes it’s hard, even exhausting. But it stays with you.

It comes from meaning, growth, and contribution. That feeling when you realise your work matters beyond your paycheck.

You might experience it when you:

• Mentor someone and watch them flourish
• Learn something that changes how you work
• Complete a tough project and see it transform into something valuable
• See your work make a real difference in someone’s life
• Look back and realise you’ve grown in unexpected ways

It’s not instant gratification. But it lasts. It turns work into something bigger, something worth committing to for years.

Why You Need Both

A fulfilling career requires both perks and purpose.

Too much focus on perks and you risk emptiness. Praise and bonuses fade without deeper meaning.
Too much focus on purpose and you risk burnout. Meaning without joy becomes heavy. You can’t pour from an empty cup even if it’s full of passion.

The magic happens in the middle. Comfort meets contribution. Pleasure meets purpose. That is real career happiness.

How to Find Your Balance

Finding balance doesn’t mean quitting your job tomorrow. It’s about reflection. Ask yourself:

• Does this role give me moments of joy most days?
• Does it allow me to contribute to something I truly care about?

If the answer is yes to both most of the time, you’re ahead.Here are some ways to nurture both sides of happiness.

1. Look for Alignment, Not Perfection

No job is perfect. Don’t chase a fantasy. Find where your values, strengths, and environment fit. That is where flow happens.

2. Invest in Relationships

Work is better when you connect with people. Even small gestures such as a coffee chat or hallway joke build belonging.

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Don’t wait for a big milestone. Finished a report? Survived a tough meeting? Helped a colleague? That counts. Celebrate progress.

4. Keep Learning

Growth fuels enjoyment and purpose. Take a course, shadow someone, or try something new. Keep curiosity alive.

5. Protect Your Energy

Hustle culture glorifies burnout. Forget it. Rest is part of success. Protect weekends, say no when needed, and recharge without guilt.

A Career That Feels Good and Does Good

Career happiness isn’t about perks or purpose. You need both. Perks make work enjoyable. Purpose makes it worthwhile.

The best careers aren’t those with the highest paychecks or fanciest titles. They are the ones that leave you proud, challenged, and at peace.

When work gives you comfort and contribution, you don’t just succeed but you also thrive.

When thinking about your next step, ask yourself: does this path make me happy now? Will it matter in the long run?

If the answer is yes, you’ve found something rare and worth holding onto. And isn’t that what most of us are chasing.

What Employers Can Do

The best companies understand this balance. They know employees perform better when they feel valued and purposeful.

It’s not about flashy perks. It’s about trust, recognition, and opportunity. Examples include:

• Flexible schedules
• Growth and mentorship programs
• Recognition for effort
• Connecting daily work to a bigger mission
• Supporting mental health and wellbeing

A workplace that invests in comfort and meaning doesn’t just attract talent — it keeps it.

Ready to See Where You Stand?

Check out the latest key findings from our 2025 Global ETF Salary Survey to benchmark your worth and power up your next negotiation. The trends are clear. And the opportunity? It’s yours, if you ask.