The idea that work should be 'meaningful' to be intrinsically motivating is part of the JCM model. Recent research has shown how meaning can be gained or lost in a wide range of ways. For example work is more meaningful if it has task significance i.e. it has a beneficial impact on other people's lives. This effect can be increased if the worker sees the positive effects directly or receives thanks. Another fundamental way in which work is meaningful is when the worker can see progress in achieving some goal. Work that appears pointless and gets nowhere is nearly always experienced as meaningless and demotivating. (such as digging holes and filling them in again).

Based on your own experience, or someone you know, describe one example of meaningful work and one example of meaningless work. What were the key factors that made this work meaningful and meaningless? What were the effects on motivation?