May 27, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel sits down with Ting Mei Chong to explore the concept of purpose in the workplace. Ting Mei, a customer engagement and advocacy manager at a global tech company, shares her journey of transitioning from a responsibility-driven purpose of providing for her family to a more personally fulfilling purpose centered around happiness and joy. The episode delves into the importance of finding joy in work, the role companies play in fostering a supportive environment, and how individual purpose can significantly influence professional life. The conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to cultivate happiness and purpose both in and outside of the workplace.
00:00 Introduction to Purpose Project
00:43 Meet Ting Mei Chong
02:43 Exploring Life's Purpose
06:13 Purpose in the Workplace
15:01 Creating a Supportive Work Environment
20:07 Exploring the Role of Marketing in Building Connections
21:45 The Importance of Customer Engagement and Advocacy
23:31 Aligning Individual and Company Purpose
25:06 The Power of Positive Energy in the Workplace
30:41 Advice for Finding Happiness at Work
36:04 Final Thoughts on Purpose and Happiness
Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life's purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
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LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media
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Episode Transcript
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Leslie (00:04):
Welcome to Purpose Project where we are exploring
the topic of purpose in theworkplace.
My name is Leslie Pagel and I amglad that you're here with us.
In this episode, I sit down withTing Mei Chong for Ting Mei.
Purpose isn't a destination or achecklist, is a conscious choice
(00:26):
to live with joy, presence, andhappiness.
In this episode, Ting Mei and Iexplore how purpose can be a way
of being and how choosinghappiness influences us in and
outside of the workplace.
Let's take a listen.
Ting Mei, thank you for being onPurpose Project.
(00:46):
I'm really looking forward tohaving a conversation about how
purpose shows up in theworkplace.
Hi, Leslie.
Thanks for having me.
Absolutely.
Before we jump into the topic ofpurpose, tell us a little bit
about you.
Who is Ting Mei, both personallyand professionally?
(01:07):
So I am a mother to two girls,um, a daughter, sister, a
friend.
Um, and uh, so I currently workas a customer engagement and
advocacy manager at a globaltech company.
Um, I've been with the companyfor over five years now, and
(01:27):
I've spent the last, oh, this isgonna like, age me, but, um,
yeah, I've spent, uh, I guess.
25 years working.
So working a long time.
Yes.
That doesn't age you.
It's experience.
Yes, for sure.
And I have gone through it all.
So yeah.
I feel like I have a little bit,you know, of uh, you know,
(01:50):
insights to life.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe to share with my kids.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Have you always been in the roleof customer experience advocate
I've always been in marketing.
It's a marketing role, so, um,yeah, pretty much I've been in
marketing, my entire, work life.
(02:10):
Did start out as a PR investorrelations, you know,
communications type role, butyou know, in this sort of also
marketing, so yeah.
Okay.
Yeah, and always in techcompanies.
Yes.
Tech companies.
Okay.
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
So I heard, um, real connectionto people, family, uh, friends,
(02:33):
and then a professional careerin marketing for tech companies.
Yes.
That's me.
Well, one question I askeveryone on the show is, do you
have a life's purpose?
Uh, you know, it's funny becauseI've, for some reason I've been
(02:54):
getting this question a lot, uh,of late.
So, um, and growing up in, um,in Malaysia, um, with a Chinese
family.
Um, and my parents, uh, areworking class, middle class, you
know.
Um, so they work really hard tojust like provide for us.
(03:16):
And never really like thinkabout anything else.
So like, just think about life'spurpose.
Like what do you mean life'spurpose is just to provide for
your family?
Right?
So, no, I haven't really thoughtabout that until like, yeah,
like I said recently, and I'mlike, you know what?
I am, I have studied hard,worked hard, I've provided for
(03:37):
my family and um.
I feel like now, yeah, I can sayI'm, at a place where I can
think about, what is life'spurpose other than just
providing for your family.
Right.
And I think for me right now,it's, really about finding.
Happiness, you know, um, findinghappiness, uh, sharing it,
(04:01):
spreading it, keeping it, andjust try to instill that, with,
um, people, around me.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I love that.
Just my life's purpose now.
Yes.
Yeah.
So it's a little bit oftransitioning from this purpose
of caring for my family andhelping them.
Um, nurturing them and growingthem into this cultivating of
(04:25):
happiness, not just foryourself, but for the people
around you.
Yeah.
'cause I mean, some people justlike, um, what I've noticed,
could be just living, you know,like what mm-hmm.
Really, like, what, what's thepoint of that?
Like life can be so joyful, sowhy not go out, right.
Find happiness, right.
(04:45):
Exactly.
Yes.
Yeah.
Someone, recently mentioned apoem, and I don't remember who
it was from or any of it, butthe essence of the poem was,
when you look for something,you're gonna.
You're gonna find what you'relooking for.
And so if you're looking forhate and anger, then you're
(05:05):
gonna find it.
But if you're looking forhappiness and joy, you're gonna
find that too.
Yeah.
It's, it's what you put yourtime and effort into, right?
Like being intentional, andconsistent with what your, yeah.
Yeah.
Connection.
Yeah.
And, and to your point, likepurpose is about living, you
(05:26):
know, it, it's about living lifemm-hmm.
On purpose and with intention.
Mm-hmm.
And we have the opportunity todo that.
We don't have to just let eachday go by.
We can take responsibility and,and look for happiness and
cultivate it for others and, anddo all that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I think, like the old waysof thinking, or at least my
(05:48):
parents' generation, maybe justmy parents, I don't know, um,
uh, you know, just like livingfor your kids or you know, is,
um, I mean, it's good, you know,for the kids, but then like,
well now your kids are God.
So, you know, like by meaningfor yourself.
(06:09):
Right.
Exactly.
So well, um, season two ofPurpose Project is all about how
purpose shows up in theworkplace, and I have been
talking with.
Individuals from various partsof the organization and various
levels of the organization toexplore how purpose shows up.
(06:33):
And I'd love to hear from you assomeone, um, in the tech world,
someone in a marketing function,how do you see purpose show up
in the workplace?
Like you, you basicallyspending.
A third of your day, workingmaybe even more like I, I guess
(06:54):
it's more than half your wakinghours, right.
Working, with people.
And, if you can't find meaningfor that, it is going to be such
a drag mm-hmm.
To your life, to your days.
Um, so, I think purpose isreally important.
And bringing all that together,so that yeah, you're, you're
(07:19):
happy with what you're doing,because, um, yeah.
Why, why live if you're notgoing to be happy mm-hmm.
Right.
Doing what you do.
Yeah.
And how you live your life.
So when I hear that.
I hear, um, very much people.
Finding joy in their work ordoing work that is joyful for
(07:42):
them, or at least not kind ofmiserable.
Um, yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
I mean, I remember my first job,after a while I was just like,
dreading going to work, andevery Sunday night I'd be like.
Oh my God, I can't believe Ihave to, start this the next
five days.
And I was just miserable.
And that's exactly it, right?
(08:02):
Like, why be miserable?
Mm-hmm.
So find work that you love todo.
Um, or, or people, and it'simportant to find people that
you can work with, are happy towork with too, right?
Because mm-hmm.
Yeah.
You, you don't work inisolation, that's so important.
People that you work with, thework that you do has to spark
(08:22):
joy, right?
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I.
I totally agree.
Um, and it's, it's one of thereasons why I'm so excited about
season two is because we dospend so much time at work, but
then I look around and I see somany people that seem unhappy in
(08:44):
their work, like what you weredescribing and, just makes me
wonder, is that okay some peopleto just have a job to acquire
money and be unhappy in it?
Or, or can everyone have both?
I think you can, I think anyone,most of us can do any anything.
(09:08):
So why choose to do somethingthat you're going to be unhappy
and miserable about?
Mm-hmm.
There, I, I feel, there's a lotof opportunities out there.
So find the right one if youcan.
I know some people may not have,the ability or the means to take
(09:29):
their time and find something,that they can be happy doing.
Um, but if you can, certainly,do that.
And if you're not happy whereyou are right now, just um.
Do that while, searching,continue to look for what you
(09:50):
like to do, doing something thatyou like to do because, I think
it's just such a miserable lifethat, uh, if, if you had to do
something that you don't likedoing,'cause that was, what it
was like for me for like fiveyears, you know?
Okay.
I'm exaggerated maybe two years.
And then, something came up and.
Since then, I've always donework that I was very excited to
(10:13):
do.
I'm happy to do.
So I think it's possible, wejust have to set our mind to it.
Right.
And, um, not give up,'cause whenyou work at it, when you're
hopeful, and again, you embodythis, happiness.
(10:33):
Right.
Then, opportunities will presentthemselves if you don't give up,
just, keep at it.
Yeah, right.
With a good positive attitude.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
So yeah, that's my, my, I thinkthat, um, that concept of not
giving up is so importantbecause in some ways, when
(10:56):
people stay in a job that they.
Aren't happy.
And that is giving up, right?
Yeah.
On themselves.
Yeah.
And then it, it will show, inyour work, in your personal
life, you'll, you might take itout on other people, and that's
just Yeah.
(11:16):
Then every, everybody elsebecomes miserable.
Mm-hmm.
You become even more miserable,you know?
Right.
So, so yeah.
I, I would, uh, yeah.
Never stay in a job that you'renot happy with.
And I, I've seen people actuallywho have stayed in their jobs
for like decades, and maybe somepeople have managed, even if
(11:37):
they're not happy, but if you'reable to do that, maybe find
happiness elsewhere.
That's what I was wondering.
Is it that our work shouldfulfill our purpose?
Or is it that our work should bea place that doesn't make us
miserable, where we can go anddo the work to get paid for it
(12:03):
so that we can do live ourpurpose outside of work?
Yeah, that might be apossibility.
I think, um, if you're so goodat what you do, that it's just
like second nature to you andyou're not, striving to be
better.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and it's just a job.
Right.
(12:23):
Um, then yeah, if you have, you,you have the time to go focus on
something else outside of work.
Um, maybe that's, passable andyou can sustain that, that work
and find, passion for somethingelse outside of work.
Sure.
I think that that could work forsome people.
Yeah.
(12:44):
Um, yeah.
Maybe it's not a, one size fitsall.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And what I hear from you isyou're in a position right now
that.
You enjoy and is, that becauseof your purpose or is that
because of something else?
(13:05):
Um, yeah, I enjoy doing my work.
I, do a lot of writing and also,interacting with customers,
different teams throughout thecompany.
Um, and I.
I, I like doing that, brings mejoy.
Um, and I like interacting withpeople, with customers, when I
get to make them happy, makes mehappy, right?
(13:26):
So happiness begets happiness,Uhhuh, so it's, comes full
circle, right?
So what better feeling than tomake someone else feel good And,
um.
Yeah, be able to spread thatand, this world would be so much
better with less hate and, morejoy, right?
So why not do that?
(13:48):
Um, yeah, day in, day out,right?
Yeah.
Well, and it seems very muchconnected to your purpose.
Where you talk about yourpurposes to explore happiness,
to cultivate it, to share itwith others, and that for you
happens also in the workplace asa place where you get to make
(14:13):
your customers feel happy, andyou get to become happy in doing
that.
It's a great feeling, there areother types of feelings, but
happiness, I, I think everybodywants to be happy.
Mm-hmm.
Right?
So if you can do that in, inlittle meetings, little talks
with people.
(14:34):
Little communications emails,why not?
Right.
And just, yeah, just right tone.
Like all it takes Is that justhow you position things is Yeah.
Makes the a world of difference.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we've been talking about yourpurpose and how going to work
(14:55):
needs to be something more thatkind of fills up your cup than
takes from it.
What is the, from yourperspective and your experience,
what is the responsibility forthe company to create an
environment for you to do that?
Is do they have a responsibilityin it?
(15:18):
Yeah, for sure.
Where I work, um, yeah.
It's, I think our HR is doing agreat job.
They, we've got.
Um, values what we call theseepic values, and I, I've never
been at a company where I think,everyone works so well together
and are very supportive of eachother.
(15:40):
Um, so.
Everyone wants everyone else tosucceed and do well.
We help each other out.
And when you do that, the wholecompany, does well.
So it is in the company's bestinterest to obviously.
Um, keep your employees happy,right.
Um, and I'm fortunate that mycompany, does do that.
(16:04):
Yeah.
So, yeah.
You mentioned the values.
Is that where you see most ofthat culture coming from is
through, through the values orare there other things that help
create that environment ofteamwork and, and lifting each
other up?
Yeah, I think.
(16:25):
In going with those values aswell, they, it, it's not just,
um, lip service, right?
They, they have to actuallyright.
Do the work.
Um, so that, we have a lot oflike, activities, um, and, uh,
internal meetings or, you know,bring, they bring speakers in to
talk about different.
(16:46):
Um, things like, diversityinclusion, right?
Um, and, and all of this is tosort of, yeah.
Cultivate, a, a.
Community, within the company,with the employees.
So we're a global company.
We're, we have offices all overthe world and we all work
remotely.
(17:06):
Mm-hmm.
So some of us don't even seeeach other in person.
Yeah.
Through these events.
We're able to come together,support each other inside and
outside of work.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, people.
Uh, run or, have differentinitiatives, um, outside of work
and we, we all support eachother.
So, uh, we have like worldcleanup day and, people have
(17:28):
different causes and they sharethem and, feel free to support
as you wish.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's, um, it's reallyinteresting'cause as you're
talking, I've, I've, I've hadconversations about how this.
Cultivating this environment canbe easier in smaller
(17:49):
organizations, but you're inthis big global remote workforce
and you still feel very muchconnected into this spirit of
teamwork, support, growth ofeach other in the business and
our customers.
(18:10):
Yeah, I've worked at other bigcompanies as well, and I feel
they're not as integrated.
Um, and here we're just like, mymanagers based in France.
Um, I have someone reporting itto me from the states, and we
work with companies.
I'm, um, other teams from like.
(18:30):
All over, mm-hmm.
So, and, and we come together ondifferent causes, topics, and
we're able to do that.
Everyone's really likesupportive Yeah.
Of each other.
So yeah.
Who, who leads that?
How does that happen?
The leadership, really, we have,internal champions, um, and some
(18:50):
of the executives, will championcertain causes as well, like,
women's, rights or whatever,different things.
Um, so it has to come from thetop, right?
Like, yeah.
Who betted to, help spread, thismessage of camaraderie and,
community than your leaders.
Right, right.
Yeah.
(19:11):
Yeah, yeah.
So has to come from there.
And then, obviously HR as well.
That will sponsor these events.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've found, I.
That most organizations havemission, vision, values, those
things.
Mm-hmm.
But having a statement ofpurpose is not as common.
Does your company have astatement of purpose, I'm
(19:35):
actually working on, um, acustomer experience charter, so
I was looking into what ourcorporate, values, mission,
vision, um, were as well.
So, but I don't remember seeingpurpose.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Um, it, it probably falls under,the mission.
That's how it's been coming up,is that it tends to be.
(19:59):
Use synonymously with mission,that there's a lot of overlap in
those two.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So does that, or does yourcompany have a mission statement
'cause I'm curious'cause you'rein marketing, right?
And so a part of your role isalso to.
(20:19):
Create this external awarenessand connection to the brand.
Mm-hmm.
And what it stands for and whyit exists in all of that.
Do you do that in your job or isthat somewhere else in
marketing?
Um, so I used to fall undercorporate marketing and so, and
(20:41):
actually external, uh,communications and brand
branding.
So.
So, yeah, so, so we did, well myother team, um, did manage some
of the branding positioning.
Um, and our tagline is, becauseconnections matter.
Mm.
So everything that we do is to,um, build those connections with
(21:05):
our customers, enable ourcustomers to build connections
with their customers.
Right?
Right.
So, so we have software andhardware that will do all that.
Right.
And support that, objective.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Okay.
So that piece of it, ofconnecting customers to mission,
(21:29):
purpose, uh, is in the marketingfunction as well.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And connecting each other,because every company wants to
be connected to their customers.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and in my role too, so as acustomer engagement and
(21:49):
advocacy, um, manager, my roleis to build those relationships,
um, with our customers, and makesure that we are nurturing those
connections.
At every touch point that wehave with our customers and
making sure that they arefeeling valued, they were
(22:10):
providing the, um, rightresources to them, um, in order
for them to do their jobs oradvance, in what they do.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Which all of that feels verymuch connected to this tagline
of.
(22:30):
Because connections matter.
And you can directly see in thework that you do, how you are
carrying out that, focus ofconnection in the work that you
do.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Because, um, yeah.
How else do you buildrelationships, right, with your
customers?
(22:51):
Um, it, it's through theeveryday interactions.
It may not come from just oneperson, right?
Mm-hmm.
Um, it's.
All our teams that touch thecustomers, right.
Customer success.
We've got support, PSO, um,marketing.
So, so all of these roles haveto come together and, and, um,
(23:13):
yeah, which is why I'm nowbuilding out this CX charter to
have our own vision and missionand goals, you know, so that we
can all be aligned in how we aregoing to, be there, for our
customers.
Right, right.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
So I remain curious about thisoverlap of individual purpose,
(23:38):
and then this view of companypurpose, our purpose.
For this company is to help ourcustomers create connections
and, and things like that.
And so there's these differentperspectives of purpose, right?
There's the individual and thenthere's the shared purpose of
(24:00):
the company.
Do you see, um, how those twothings might overlap in your
work I mean, ultimately it's,um, it, happiness carries
through, right?
So it's, when you, connect witha customer and present, a
(24:22):
positive, joyous outlook, itcomes back, right?
It's all about how you, show up.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
And I think people willappreciate, um, a positive
outlook, better than if you cameat them like negatively.
Right.
It does carry through.
Personally, if you are happy,um, it will show in your work
(24:48):
and, um, yeah.
So that, that carries through toeverything that you do, right?
Right.
Mm-hmm.
And, then your teams around.
You feel it, your customers feelit, and, uh, it all comes back,
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that perspective sounds morefrom the individual, in their
(25:11):
role, um, brings their purposeto the workplace and in allowing
them to do that, it helps thecompany's purpose achieve what
it's trying to do.
Exactly.
It's, it's like if you are,happy doing what you do, it
(25:32):
comes through your work and youcan focus, on your work.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and yeah, it just comesthrough.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
And what's the benefit of that?
Um, well, as a business, whenyour customers come back,
(25:54):
obviously everything else has tobe, you have to provide.
Uh, good products, good servicesas well, just, uh, you know,
good feelings aren't gonna sell,right?
So everything else also has tocome into play.
But, um, yeah, if you have allof that, then um, that's the
(26:14):
edge, right?
That, that you have over, acompetitor or someone else that
might not have such a, um, goodoutlook, Uhhuh.
Um, and I think sometimes, maybeeven if your products and
services aren't as good as thecompetition, but then, you have
a super relationship with, um,your customers because they,
(26:39):
they like you and they like, thekind of feelings that you evoke
Right, um, from them that they,they will go with that.
Right.
And, and who, who wants to workwith someone who's, miserable or
mean or, yeah.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah.
And who's just out to get youor, doesn't care about you
(27:01):
really.
He just cares about.
Closing business.
Uh, closing a sale.
Right.
Um, so, so yeah, I think reallythe, your, your personality and,
and how you, um, present thecompany, in a positive way, um,
that all benefits the company.
(27:22):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I, as you were talking, I justkept.
Thinking competitivedifferentiation.
'Cause in a scenario, not yourcompany, but where there is a
company.
That might not have mm-hmm.
The state of the art product,but it's leading with helping
(27:46):
employees bring their fullselves, their purpose into the
workplace.
It could give them a competitiveadvantage because it creates
this relationship and thisenergy with the customers that.
Could overshadow, the product,Yeah, yeah.
I mean there's exactly the, theenergy, when you bring like a, a
(28:08):
positive, um, energy into, um, aconnection, people can't help
but like.
Want to stay there with positiveenergy.
Right, right.
Um, positive, happy energy.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, um, yeah, totally agree.
(28:30):
Yeah.
And, sometimes I think peoplefeel like this topic of energy
is like woo woo or whatever, butthe reality is you feel energy.
We feel it.
Mm-hmm.
People don't need to open theirmouth.
We just know sometimes yeah,when someone's upset or, um,
(28:52):
happy or joyful, just because ofthe energy that they carry with
them.
And so having employees that canbring that energy by bringing
their purpose into the workplacecreates that opportunity to, uh,
really connect with customersand.
(29:12):
Create that competitiveadvantage.
Yeah, exactly.
And when you support, um, youremployees, purpose, your
employees want to also supportyou, right?
Mm-hmm.
And give back.
Right.
And do their best for thecompany.
Yeah.
So again, it's like a fullcircle.
(29:33):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you have conversations inyour work about individual
purpose?
Mm.
Um, I don't think it comes offthat way.
It's more about professional,development.
Mm-hmm.
So maybe in a sense.
(29:56):
Um, if you grow professionally,would that help you personally?
And, so indirectly.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, and you mentioned earlierhow there's, these things where
people outside of work gotogether and support each other
and things like that.
Mm-hmm.
And yeah.
And while that might not betalking about, this is my
(30:17):
purpose and in like directlanguage.
Yeah.
It's indirectly connected to.
What people enjoy doing becausethat's how they're spending
their time out of work.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's supporting, our passions,right.
Like outside of work too.
So in a sense, the company issupporting, employees that way.
(30:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
What advice do you have forpeople who are listening who may
be in a work situation wherethey're not happy, they can't,
live out, their purpose intheir, their work environment.
What advice do you have forthem?
So, um, I would say, happinessis a choice, right?
(31:03):
You can be in that situation andchoose to be happy or fix that
situation.
Mm-hmm.
If you're unhappy about thatsituation, it might take time.
But, as long as someone isconsistently, working at it, and
the more like the positiveenergy that you put out, right?
(31:25):
The more it comes back.
Yeah.
So if we lead with that, youknow, um, treat people with
kindness and empathy, and alsoworking on yourself, right.
Um.
And, and find a solution andwork at it.
And no matter how long it takes,sometimes it might take a long
(31:48):
time.
So, and, surround yourself withother, like-minded people, but
positive, support.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, I think, yeah, that'simportant.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I heard there, if you're nothappy in your job, you don't
(32:08):
need to stay there.
You have to make a choice.
You can choose to, uh, be happyin your job or you could choose
to.
Look for other alternatives,but, but do something.
Don't just live life in a, a jobwhere you're unhappy.
Yeah.
And, and maybe, that job hasturned, I know a humdrum or
(32:32):
whatever, but, find somethingelse within the job that can,
turn it around or Yeah.
Talk to your manager, findsomething else within the
company maybe.
Mm-hmm.
Um, yeah, just don't, um, stewin, in that situation, you know?
(32:54):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Move into action.
Take responsibility and, and dosomething.
Yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
Do you And all with a positive,positive, you know, um, outlook.
Yeah, I was gonna ask about thatbecause when you talk about like
choosing happiness and we have,we can choose, um,, I think for
(33:19):
some people choosing the moreoptimistic or the more upbeat,
positive outlook can bedifficult.
Hmm.
Sometimes people are just morehardwired to cup is half empty
instead of cup is half full.
Any advice for, for that personwhose natural tendency is to be
(33:43):
more, let's look for what couldgo wrong and look for the
negative.
Yeah, I don't know.
That's a really hard onebecause, um.
I think I'm more of an optimistas well, so it's, it's hard when
I see that and it's like, how doI help this person?
(34:03):
First you need someone to likeactually point that out.
Why are you living like this?
It's not healthy.
It doesn't do anything for yourlife, so make a change.
And, it's hard, to even get theperson to see, this other way.
But if possible, surroundyourself with, happy people,
(34:25):
right.
Yeah, I think it'll rub off.
But, um, or my backfire, I don'tknow.
Um, it, it's, um, yeah, that,that's a hard one.
I am not sure what to do inthose situations,, they have to
want to help themselves.
(34:46):
Yes.
That's good.
You know?
Good point.
Yeah.
Yeah.
'cause it does require effort,it does require you to do
something, even if it's justchanging your mindset.
That still is effort.
Um.
Absolutely.
And that's, that's exactly it.
You have to want to change yourmindset.
(35:06):
Mm-hmm.
And, unfortunately, you can't doit, if you don't have that
mindset already.
Um, and so.
You need someone in your supportsystem to be able to like show
you, tell you, yeah.
That, yeah, you need thischange.
Yeah.
Well, and maybe that issomething that they could do is
(35:26):
if, if they don't have thatoutlook, they could spend some
time and explore their mindset.
You know, what is it that.
Lends me to be more negative andwhen does that serve me?
And when doesn't it serve me?
And just poke at that question.
Mm-hmm.
And peel it back and see what'sunderneath there.
(35:50):
Yeah.
It's kind of tricky'cause somepeople maybe they're happy being
like that Uhhuh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
if they're happy being that way,then, they found their
happiness.
Oh, any other advice for thosewho are listening?
Um, I don't know if I have any,profound advice, just thinking,
(36:16):
if I'm like talking to my kids,right?
Um, it's a state of being, andit's a choice, right?
So.
Choose happiness or misery,which would serve you better.
Right?
Right.
Um, and, and you're, if you'reexpending your energy on
(36:40):
negative, this heavy.
Feelings, that I don't thinkwill serve you well, at least,
not in the long run.
Right, right.
Yeah.
Don't, don't carry thosefeelings.
Right.
Um, and find a way to overcomethem, and, uh, yeah.
Find people who can support you,and your purpose.
(37:03):
Love it.
Yeah.
Love it.
Anything else left unsaid on thetopic of purpose in the
workplace?
Um, Surround yourself with,people who, will lift you up and
you lift, each other up.
So that, what's a better feelingthan.
(37:26):
Coming to work, being excited tocome to work every day because
you have wonderful people towork with.
You, you love the work that youdo, um, and the customers that
you serve.
And then to see results, youknow, and the company doing
well, right?
So that, uh, again, comes, all,comes full circle.
(37:47):
So.
Just that.
Love it.
Well, thank you so much forbeing on Purpose Project.
I've really enjoyed ourconversation.
Thank you, Leslie.
I hope that was, helpful.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Yeah.
Sharing, sharing laughs,creating memories, right?
Um, that's what it's, all about,at the end of the day, it's not,
(38:09):
material things, right.
Come and go.
Um, but memories, um, time spenttogether is really what you
remember.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Love it.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Thank you, Leslie.
As I reflect on thisconversation with Ting Mei, I am
reminded of the diverse ways inwhich purpose manifests itself
(38:35):
in people's lives.
I've heard people describe theirpurpose as a goal.
I've heard people describe theirpurpose as a responsibility, and
I've heard others like Ting Meidescribe their purpose more in
terms of the ways that they wantto show up in this world.
Ting Mei's commitment to live alife seeking happiness isn't
(38:59):
something that she saves for hertime outside of the workplace.
It's an integral part of who sheis influencing, not just
herself, but every interactionin and outside of the workplace.
Ting Mei you so much for beingon Purpose Project and for
(39:21):
living a life of happiness, andthanks to all of you for tuning
in.
Purpose Project is brought toyou for education and for
entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
(39:44):
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
Welcome to Purpose Project where we are exploring
the topic of purpose in theworkplace.
My name is Leslie Pagel and I amglad that you're here with us.
In this episode, I sit down withTing Mei Chong for Ting Mei.
Purpose isn't a destination or achecklist, is a conscious choice
(00:26):
to live with joy, presence, andhappiness.
In this episode, Ting Mei and Iexplore how purpose can be a way
of being and how choosinghappiness influences us in and
outside of the workplace.
Let's take a listen.
Ting Mei, thank you for being onPurpose Project.
(00:46):
I'm really looking forward tohaving a conversation about how
purpose shows up in theworkplace.
Hi, Leslie.
Thanks for having me.
Absolutely.
Before we jump into the topic ofpurpose, tell us a little bit
about you.
Who is Ting Mei, both personallyand professionally?
(01:07):
So I am a mother to two girls,um, a daughter, sister, a
friend.
Um, and uh, so I currently workas a customer engagement and
advocacy manager at a globaltech company.
Um, I've been with the companyfor over five years now, and
(01:27):
I've spent the last, oh, this isgonna like, age me, but, um,
yeah, I've spent, uh, I guess.
25 years working.
So working a long time.
Yes.
That doesn't age you.
It's experience.
Yes, for sure.
And I have gone through it all.
So yeah.
I feel like I have a little bit,you know, of uh, you know,
(01:50):
insights to life.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe to share with my kids.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Have you always been in the roleof customer experience advocate
I've always been in marketing.
It's a marketing role, so, um,yeah, pretty much I've been in
marketing, my entire, work life.
(02:10):
Did start out as a PR investorrelations, you know,
communications type role, butyou know, in this sort of also
marketing, so yeah.
Okay.
Yeah, and always in techcompanies.
Yes.
Tech companies.
Okay.
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
So I heard, um, real connectionto people, family, uh, friends,
(02:33):
and then a professional careerin marketing for tech companies.
Yes.
That's me.
Well, one question I askeveryone on the show is, do you
have a life's purpose?
Uh, you know, it's funny becauseI've, for some reason I've been
(02:54):
getting this question a lot, uh,of late.
So, um, and growing up in, um,in Malaysia, um, with a Chinese
family.
Um, and my parents, uh, areworking class, middle class, you
know.
Um, so they work really hard tojust like provide for us.
(03:16):
And never really like thinkabout anything else.
So like, just think about life'spurpose.
Like what do you mean life'spurpose is just to provide for
your family?
Right?
So, no, I haven't really thoughtabout that until like, yeah,
like I said recently, and I'mlike, you know what?
I am, I have studied hard,worked hard, I've provided for
(03:37):
my family and um.
I feel like now, yeah, I can sayI'm, at a place where I can
think about, what is life'spurpose other than just
providing for your family.
Right.
And I think for me right now,it's, really about finding.
Happiness, you know, um, findinghappiness, uh, sharing it,
(04:01):
spreading it, keeping it, andjust try to instill that, with,
um, people, around me.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I love that.
Just my life's purpose now.
Yes.
Yeah.
So it's a little bit oftransitioning from this purpose
of caring for my family andhelping them.
Um, nurturing them and growingthem into this cultivating of
(04:25):
happiness, not just foryourself, but for the people
around you.
Yeah.
'cause I mean, some people justlike, um, what I've noticed,
could be just living, you know,like what mm-hmm.
Really, like, what, what's thepoint of that?
Like life can be so joyful, sowhy not go out, right.
Find happiness, right.
(04:45):
Exactly.
Yes.
Yeah.
Someone, recently mentioned apoem, and I don't remember who
it was from or any of it, butthe essence of the poem was,
when you look for something,you're gonna.
You're gonna find what you'relooking for.
And so if you're looking forhate and anger, then you're
(05:05):
gonna find it.
But if you're looking forhappiness and joy, you're gonna
find that too.
Yeah.
It's, it's what you put yourtime and effort into, right?
Like being intentional, andconsistent with what your, yeah.
Yeah.
Connection.
Yeah.
And, and to your point, likepurpose is about living, you
(05:26):
know, it, it's about living lifemm-hmm.
On purpose and with intention.
Mm-hmm.
And we have the opportunity todo that.
We don't have to just let eachday go by.
We can take responsibility and,and look for happiness and
cultivate it for others and, anddo all that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I think, like the old waysof thinking, or at least my
(05:48):
parents' generation, maybe justmy parents, I don't know, um,
uh, you know, just like livingfor your kids or you know, is,
um, I mean, it's good, you know,for the kids, but then like,
well now your kids are God.
So, you know, like by meaningfor yourself.
(06:09):
Right.
Exactly.
So well, um, season two ofPurpose Project is all about how
purpose shows up in theworkplace, and I have been
talking with.
Individuals from various partsof the organization and various
levels of the organization toexplore how purpose shows up.
(06:33):
And I'd love to hear from you assomeone, um, in the tech world,
someone in a marketing function,how do you see purpose show up
in the workplace?
Like you, you basicallyspending.
A third of your day, workingmaybe even more like I, I guess
(06:54):
it's more than half your wakinghours, right.
Working, with people.
And, if you can't find meaningfor that, it is going to be such
a drag mm-hmm.
To your life, to your days.
Um, so, I think purpose isreally important.
And bringing all that together,so that yeah, you're, you're
(07:19):
happy with what you're doing,because, um, yeah.
Why, why live if you're notgoing to be happy mm-hmm.
Right.
Doing what you do.
Yeah.
And how you live your life.
So when I hear that.
I hear, um, very much people.
Finding joy in their work ordoing work that is joyful for
(07:42):
them, or at least not kind ofmiserable.
Um, yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
I mean, I remember my first job,after a while I was just like,
dreading going to work, andevery Sunday night I'd be like.
Oh my God, I can't believe Ihave to, start this the next
five days.
And I was just miserable.
And that's exactly it, right?
(08:02):
Like, why be miserable?
Mm-hmm.
So find work that you love todo.
Um, or, or people, and it'simportant to find people that
you can work with, are happy towork with too, right?
Because mm-hmm.
Yeah.
You, you don't work inisolation, that's so important.
People that you work with, thework that you do has to spark
(08:22):
joy, right?
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I.
I totally agree.
Um, and it's, it's one of thereasons why I'm so excited about
season two is because we dospend so much time at work, but
then I look around and I see somany people that seem unhappy in
(08:44):
their work, like what you weredescribing and, just makes me
wonder, is that okay some peopleto just have a job to acquire
money and be unhappy in it?
Or, or can everyone have both?
I think you can, I think anyone,most of us can do any anything.
(09:08):
So why choose to do somethingthat you're going to be unhappy
and miserable about?
Mm-hmm.
There, I, I feel, there's a lotof opportunities out there.
So find the right one if youcan.
I know some people may not have,the ability or the means to take
(09:29):
their time and find something,that they can be happy doing.
Um, but if you can, certainly,do that.
And if you're not happy whereyou are right now, just um.
Do that while, searching,continue to look for what you
(09:50):
like to do, doing something thatyou like to do because, I think
it's just such a miserable lifethat, uh, if, if you had to do
something that you don't likedoing,'cause that was, what it
was like for me for like fiveyears, you know?
Okay.
I'm exaggerated maybe two years.
And then, something came up and.
Since then, I've always donework that I was very excited to
(10:13):
do.
I'm happy to do.
So I think it's possible, wejust have to set our mind to it.
Right.
And, um, not give up,'cause whenyou work at it, when you're
hopeful, and again, you embodythis, happiness.
(10:33):
Right.
Then, opportunities will presentthemselves if you don't give up,
just, keep at it.
Yeah, right.
With a good positive attitude.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
So yeah, that's my, my, I thinkthat, um, that concept of not
giving up is so importantbecause in some ways, when
(10:56):
people stay in a job that they.
Aren't happy.
And that is giving up, right?
Yeah.
On themselves.
Yeah.
And then it, it will show, inyour work, in your personal
life, you'll, you might take itout on other people, and that's
just Yeah.
(11:16):
Then every, everybody elsebecomes miserable.
Mm-hmm.
You become even more miserable,you know?
Right.
So, so yeah.
I, I would, uh, yeah.
Never stay in a job that you'renot happy with.
And I, I've seen people actuallywho have stayed in their jobs
for like decades, and maybe somepeople have managed, even if
(11:37):
they're not happy, but if you'reable to do that, maybe find
happiness elsewhere.
That's what I was wondering.
Is it that our work shouldfulfill our purpose?
Or is it that our work should bea place that doesn't make us
miserable, where we can go anddo the work to get paid for it
(12:03):
so that we can do live ourpurpose outside of work?
Yeah, that might be apossibility.
I think, um, if you're so goodat what you do, that it's just
like second nature to you andyou're not, striving to be
better.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and it's just a job.
Right.
(12:23):
Um, then yeah, if you have, you,you have the time to go focus on
something else outside of work.
Um, maybe that's, passable andyou can sustain that, that work
and find, passion for somethingelse outside of work.
Sure.
I think that that could work forsome people.
Yeah.
(12:44):
Um, yeah.
Maybe it's not a, one size fitsall.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And what I hear from you isyou're in a position right now
that.
You enjoy and is, that becauseof your purpose or is that
because of something else?
(13:05):
Um, yeah, I enjoy doing my work.
I, do a lot of writing and also,interacting with customers,
different teams throughout thecompany.
Um, and I.
I, I like doing that, brings mejoy.
Um, and I like interacting withpeople, with customers, when I
get to make them happy, makes mehappy, right?
(13:26):
So happiness begets happiness,Uhhuh, so it's, comes full
circle, right?
So what better feeling than tomake someone else feel good And,
um.
Yeah, be able to spread thatand, this world would be so much
better with less hate and, morejoy, right?
So why not do that?
(13:48):
Um, yeah, day in, day out,right?
Yeah.
Well, and it seems very muchconnected to your purpose.
Where you talk about yourpurposes to explore happiness,
to cultivate it, to share itwith others, and that for you
happens also in the workplace asa place where you get to make
(14:13):
your customers feel happy, andyou get to become happy in doing
that.
It's a great feeling, there areother types of feelings, but
happiness, I, I think everybodywants to be happy.
Mm-hmm.
Right?
So if you can do that in, inlittle meetings, little talks
with people.
(14:34):
Little communications emails,why not?
Right.
And just, yeah, just right tone.
Like all it takes Is that justhow you position things is Yeah.
Makes the a world of difference.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we've been talking about yourpurpose and how going to work
(14:55):
needs to be something more thatkind of fills up your cup than
takes from it.
What is the, from yourperspective and your experience,
what is the responsibility forthe company to create an
environment for you to do that?
Is do they have a responsibilityin it?
(15:18):
Yeah, for sure.
Where I work, um, yeah.
It's, I think our HR is doing agreat job.
They, we've got.
Um, values what we call theseepic values, and I, I've never
been at a company where I think,everyone works so well together
and are very supportive of eachother.
(15:40):
Um, so.
Everyone wants everyone else tosucceed and do well.
We help each other out.
And when you do that, the wholecompany, does well.
So it is in the company's bestinterest to obviously.
Um, keep your employees happy,right.
Um, and I'm fortunate that mycompany, does do that.
(16:04):
Yeah.
So, yeah.
You mentioned the values.
Is that where you see most ofthat culture coming from is
through, through the values orare there other things that help
create that environment ofteamwork and, and lifting each
other up?
Yeah, I think.
(16:25):
In going with those values aswell, they, it, it's not just,
um, lip service, right?
They, they have to actuallyright.
Do the work.
Um, so that, we have a lot oflike, activities, um, and, uh,
internal meetings or, you know,bring, they bring speakers in to
talk about different.
(16:46):
Um, things like, diversityinclusion, right?
Um, and, and all of this is tosort of, yeah.
Cultivate, a, a.
Community, within the company,with the employees.
So we're a global company.
We're, we have offices all overthe world and we all work
remotely.
(17:06):
Mm-hmm.
So some of us don't even seeeach other in person.
Yeah.
Through these events.
We're able to come together,support each other inside and
outside of work.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, people.
Uh, run or, have differentinitiatives, um, outside of work
and we, we all support eachother.
So, uh, we have like worldcleanup day and, people have
(17:28):
different causes and they sharethem and, feel free to support
as you wish.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's, um, it's reallyinteresting'cause as you're
talking, I've, I've, I've hadconversations about how this.
Cultivating this environment canbe easier in smaller
(17:49):
organizations, but you're inthis big global remote workforce
and you still feel very muchconnected into this spirit of
teamwork, support, growth ofeach other in the business and
our customers.
(18:10):
Yeah, I've worked at other bigcompanies as well, and I feel
they're not as integrated.
Um, and here we're just like, mymanagers based in France.
Um, I have someone reporting itto me from the states, and we
work with companies.
I'm, um, other teams from like.
(18:30):
All over, mm-hmm.
So, and, and we come together ondifferent causes, topics, and
we're able to do that.
Everyone's really likesupportive Yeah.
Of each other.
So yeah.
Who, who leads that?
How does that happen?
The leadership, really, we have,internal champions, um, and some
(18:50):
of the executives, will championcertain causes as well, like,
women's, rights or whatever,different things.
Um, so it has to come from thetop, right?
Like, yeah.
Who betted to, help spread, thismessage of camaraderie and,
community than your leaders.
Right, right.
Yeah.
(19:11):
Yeah, yeah.
So has to come from there.
And then, obviously HR as well.
That will sponsor these events.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I've found, I.
That most organizations havemission, vision, values, those
things.
Mm-hmm.
But having a statement ofpurpose is not as common.
Does your company have astatement of purpose, I'm
(19:35):
actually working on, um, acustomer experience charter, so
I was looking into what ourcorporate, values, mission,
vision, um, were as well.
So, but I don't remember seeingpurpose.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Um, it, it probably falls under,the mission.
That's how it's been coming up,is that it tends to be.
(19:59):
Use synonymously with mission,that there's a lot of overlap in
those two.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So does that, or does yourcompany have a mission statement
'cause I'm curious'cause you'rein marketing, right?
And so a part of your role isalso to.
(20:19):
Create this external awarenessand connection to the brand.
Mm-hmm.
And what it stands for and whyit exists in all of that.
Do you do that in your job or isthat somewhere else in
marketing?
Um, so I used to fall undercorporate marketing and so, and
(20:41):
actually external, uh,communications and brand
branding.
So.
So, yeah, so, so we did, well myother team, um, did manage some
of the branding positioning.
Um, and our tagline is, becauseconnections matter.
Mm.
So everything that we do is to,um, build those connections with
(21:05):
our customers, enable ourcustomers to build connections
with their customers.
Right?
Right.
So, so we have software andhardware that will do all that.
Right.
And support that, objective.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Okay.
So that piece of it, ofconnecting customers to mission,
(21:29):
purpose, uh, is in the marketingfunction as well.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And connecting each other,because every company wants to
be connected to their customers.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and in my role too, so as acustomer engagement and
(21:49):
advocacy, um, manager, my roleis to build those relationships,
um, with our customers, and makesure that we are nurturing those
connections.
At every touch point that wehave with our customers and
making sure that they arefeeling valued, they were
(22:10):
providing the, um, rightresources to them, um, in order
for them to do their jobs oradvance, in what they do.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Which all of that feels verymuch connected to this tagline
of.
(22:30):
Because connections matter.
And you can directly see in thework that you do, how you are
carrying out that, focus ofconnection in the work that you
do.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Because, um, yeah.
How else do you buildrelationships, right, with your
customers?
(22:51):
Um, it, it's through theeveryday interactions.
It may not come from just oneperson, right?
Mm-hmm.
Um, it's.
All our teams that touch thecustomers, right.
Customer success.
We've got support, PSO, um,marketing.
So, so all of these roles haveto come together and, and, um,
(23:13):
yeah, which is why I'm nowbuilding out this CX charter to
have our own vision and missionand goals, you know, so that we
can all be aligned in how we aregoing to, be there, for our
customers.
Right, right.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
So I remain curious about thisoverlap of individual purpose,
(23:38):
and then this view of companypurpose, our purpose.
For this company is to help ourcustomers create connections
and, and things like that.
And so there's these differentperspectives of purpose, right?
There's the individual and thenthere's the shared purpose of
(24:00):
the company.
Do you see, um, how those twothings might overlap in your
work I mean, ultimately it's,um, it, happiness carries
through, right?
So it's, when you, connect witha customer and present, a
(24:22):
positive, joyous outlook, itcomes back, right?
It's all about how you, show up.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
And I think people willappreciate, um, a positive
outlook, better than if you cameat them like negatively.
Right.
It does carry through.
Personally, if you are happy,um, it will show in your work
(24:48):
and, um, yeah.
So that, that carries through toeverything that you do, right?
Right.
Mm-hmm.
And, then your teams around.
You feel it, your customers feelit, and, uh, it all comes back,
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that perspective sounds morefrom the individual, in their
(25:11):
role, um, brings their purposeto the workplace and in allowing
them to do that, it helps thecompany's purpose achieve what
it's trying to do.
Exactly.
It's, it's like if you are,happy doing what you do, it
(25:32):
comes through your work and youcan focus, on your work.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and yeah, it just comesthrough.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
And what's the benefit of that?
Um, well, as a business, whenyour customers come back,
(25:54):
obviously everything else has tobe, you have to provide.
Uh, good products, good servicesas well, just, uh, you know,
good feelings aren't gonna sell,right?
So everything else also has tocome into play.
But, um, yeah, if you have allof that, then um, that's the
(26:14):
edge, right?
That, that you have over, acompetitor or someone else that
might not have such a, um, goodoutlook, Uhhuh.
Um, and I think sometimes, maybeeven if your products and
services aren't as good as thecompetition, but then, you have
a super relationship with, um,your customers because they,
(26:39):
they like you and they like, thekind of feelings that you evoke
Right, um, from them that they,they will go with that.
Right.
And, and who, who wants to workwith someone who's, miserable or
mean or, yeah.
Yeah.
Uh, yeah.
And who's just out to get youor, doesn't care about you
(27:01):
really.
He just cares about.
Closing business.
Uh, closing a sale.
Right.
Um, so, so yeah, I think reallythe, your, your personality and,
and how you, um, present thecompany, in a positive way, um,
that all benefits the company.
(27:22):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I, as you were talking, I justkept.
Thinking competitivedifferentiation.
'Cause in a scenario, not yourcompany, but where there is a
company.
That might not have mm-hmm.
The state of the art product,but it's leading with helping
(27:46):
employees bring their fullselves, their purpose into the
workplace.
It could give them a competitiveadvantage because it creates
this relationship and thisenergy with the customers that.
Could overshadow, the product,Yeah, yeah.
I mean there's exactly the, theenergy, when you bring like a, a
(28:08):
positive, um, energy into, um, aconnection, people can't help
but like.
Want to stay there with positiveenergy.
Right, right.
Um, positive, happy energy.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, um, yeah, totally agree.
(28:30):
Yeah.
And, sometimes I think peoplefeel like this topic of energy
is like woo woo or whatever, butthe reality is you feel energy.
We feel it.
Mm-hmm.
People don't need to open theirmouth.
We just know sometimes yeah,when someone's upset or, um,
(28:52):
happy or joyful, just because ofthe energy that they carry with
them.
And so having employees that canbring that energy by bringing
their purpose into the workplacecreates that opportunity to, uh,
really connect with customersand.
(29:12):
Create that competitiveadvantage.
Yeah, exactly.
And when you support, um, youremployees, purpose, your
employees want to also supportyou, right?
Mm-hmm.
And give back.
Right.
And do their best for thecompany.
Yeah.
So again, it's like a fullcircle.
(29:33):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you have conversations inyour work about individual
purpose?
Mm.
Um, I don't think it comes offthat way.
It's more about professional,development.
Mm-hmm.
So maybe in a sense.
(29:56):
Um, if you grow professionally,would that help you personally?
And, so indirectly.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, and you mentioned earlierhow there's, these things where
people outside of work gotogether and support each other
and things like that.
Mm-hmm.
And yeah.
And while that might not betalking about, this is my
(30:17):
purpose and in like directlanguage.
Yeah.
It's indirectly connected to.
What people enjoy doing becausethat's how they're spending
their time out of work.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's supporting, our passions,right.
Like outside of work too.
So in a sense, the company issupporting, employees that way.
(30:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
What advice do you have forpeople who are listening who may
be in a work situation wherethey're not happy, they can't,
live out, their purpose intheir, their work environment.
What advice do you have forthem?
So, um, I would say, happinessis a choice, right?
(31:03):
You can be in that situation andchoose to be happy or fix that
situation.
Mm-hmm.
If you're unhappy about thatsituation, it might take time.
But, as long as someone isconsistently, working at it, and
the more like the positiveenergy that you put out, right?
(31:25):
The more it comes back.
Yeah.
So if we lead with that, youknow, um, treat people with
kindness and empathy, and alsoworking on yourself, right.
Um.
And, and find a solution andwork at it.
And no matter how long it takes,sometimes it might take a long
(31:48):
time.
So, and, surround yourself withother, like-minded people, but
positive, support.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Um, I think, yeah, that'simportant.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I heard there, if you're nothappy in your job, you don't
(32:08):
need to stay there.
You have to make a choice.
You can choose to, uh, be happyin your job or you could choose
to.
Look for other alternatives,but, but do something.
Don't just live life in a, a jobwhere you're unhappy.
Yeah.
And, and maybe, that job hasturned, I know a humdrum or
(32:32):
whatever, but, find somethingelse within the job that can,
turn it around or Yeah.
Talk to your manager, findsomething else within the
company maybe.
Mm-hmm.
Um, yeah, just don't, um, stewin, in that situation, you know?
(32:54):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Move into action.
Take responsibility and, and dosomething.
Yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
Do you And all with a positive,positive, you know, um, outlook.
Yeah, I was gonna ask about thatbecause when you talk about like
choosing happiness and we have,we can choose, um,, I think for
(33:19):
some people choosing the moreoptimistic or the more upbeat,
positive outlook can bedifficult.
Hmm.
Sometimes people are just morehardwired to cup is half empty
instead of cup is half full.
Any advice for, for that personwhose natural tendency is to be
(33:43):
more, let's look for what couldgo wrong and look for the
negative.
Yeah, I don't know.
That's a really hard onebecause, um.
I think I'm more of an optimistas well, so it's, it's hard when
I see that and it's like, how doI help this person?
(34:03):
First you need someone to likeactually point that out.
Why are you living like this?
It's not healthy.
It doesn't do anything for yourlife, so make a change.
And, it's hard, to even get theperson to see, this other way.
But if possible, surroundyourself with, happy people,
(34:25):
right.
Yeah, I think it'll rub off.
But, um, or my backfire, I don'tknow.
Um, it, it's, um, yeah, that,that's a hard one.
I am not sure what to do inthose situations,, they have to
want to help themselves.
(34:46):
Yes.
That's good.
You know?
Good point.
Yeah.
Yeah.
'cause it does require effort,it does require you to do
something, even if it's justchanging your mindset.
That still is effort.
Um.
Absolutely.
And that's, that's exactly it.
You have to want to change yourmindset.
(35:06):
Mm-hmm.
And, unfortunately, you can't doit, if you don't have that
mindset already.
Um, and so.
You need someone in your supportsystem to be able to like show
you, tell you, yeah.
That, yeah, you need thischange.
Yeah.
Well, and maybe that issomething that they could do is
(35:26):
if, if they don't have thatoutlook, they could spend some
time and explore their mindset.
You know, what is it that.
Lends me to be more negative andwhen does that serve me?
And when doesn't it serve me?
And just poke at that question.
Mm-hmm.
And peel it back and see what'sunderneath there.
(35:50):
Yeah.
It's kind of tricky'cause somepeople maybe they're happy being
like that Uhhuh.
Yeah.
Yeah.
if they're happy being that way,then, they found their
happiness.
Oh, any other advice for thosewho are listening?
Um, I don't know if I have any,profound advice, just thinking,
(36:16):
if I'm like talking to my kids,right?
Um, it's a state of being, andit's a choice, right?
So.
Choose happiness or misery,which would serve you better.
Right?
Right.
Um, and, and you're, if you'reexpending your energy on
(36:40):
negative, this heavy.
Feelings, that I don't thinkwill serve you well, at least,
not in the long run.
Right, right.
Yeah.
Don't, don't carry thosefeelings.
Right.
Um, and find a way to overcomethem, and, uh, yeah.
Find people who can support you,and your purpose.
(37:03):
Love it.
Yeah.
Love it.
Anything else left unsaid on thetopic of purpose in the
workplace?
Um, Surround yourself with,people who, will lift you up and
you lift, each other up.
So that, what's a better feelingthan.
(37:26):
Coming to work, being excited tocome to work every day because
you have wonderful people towork with.
You, you love the work that youdo, um, and the customers that
you serve.
And then to see results, youknow, and the company doing
well, right?
So that, uh, again, comes, all,comes full circle.
(37:47):
So.
Just that.
Love it.
Well, thank you so much forbeing on Purpose Project.
I've really enjoyed ourconversation.
Thank you, Leslie.
I hope that was, helpful.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Yeah.
Sharing, sharing laughs,creating memories, right?
Um, that's what it's, all about,at the end of the day, it's not,
(38:09):
material things, right.
Come and go.
Um, but memories, um, time spenttogether is really what you
remember.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Love it.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Thank you, Leslie.
As I reflect on thisconversation with Ting Mei, I am
reminded of the diverse ways inwhich purpose manifests itself
(38:35):
in people's lives.
I've heard people describe theirpurpose as a goal.
I've heard people describe theirpurpose as a responsibility, and
I've heard others like Ting Meidescribe their purpose more in
terms of the ways that they wantto show up in this world.
Ting Mei's commitment to live alife seeking happiness isn't
(38:59):
something that she saves for hertime outside of the workplace.
It's an integral part of who sheis influencing, not just
herself, but every interactionin and outside of the workplace.
Ting Mei you so much for beingon Purpose Project and for
(39:21):
living a life of happiness, andthanks to all of you for tuning
in.
Purpose Project is brought toyou for education and for
entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
(39:44):
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
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