How to Do Meaningful Work: The Profit Formula That Applies to Every Role

Profit = Revenue - Cost

This simple formula is more than just a rule in corporate finance. It also offers a powerful lens for understanding what it means to do good work—both individually and as part of a team.

Every task, no matter how small, produces a result. Sometimes that result is financial. Other times, it shows up as saved time, earned trust, reduced friction, or cleaner workflows. But in every case, there is a form of profit—some outcome that adds value.

Doing great work begins with understanding how your actions contribute to that outcome. At its core, every task we do serves one of two purposes: 
👉increasing revenue or reducing cost.

Some people drive revenue by bringing in customers, creating demand, or generating new ideas that grow the business. Others reduce cost by simplifying processes, preventing errors, or saving time and resources.

What matters is knowing where your contribution lies—and focusing your effort there.

People who understand their position in this equation are the ones who consistently deliver results.
They know what they’re optimizing for, and they act accordingly.
These are the people who stand out—regardless of the environment.

But this kind of clarity doesn’t come in isolation.
It only happens when you understand the bigger picture.
If you can’t read the context around you—how the team works, what the business is optimizing for, what trade-offs exist—then it’s hard to measure your real contribution.

In the end, doing meaningful work is about understanding both “me” and “us.”
And the better you understand that relationship, the more valuable your profit becomes.