So much of our days are spent working, so doesn?t it make sense that work should be enjoyable, meaningful, and fulfilling? This isn?t just a hypothetical question, either, since most work today is anything but meaningful. The most common phrases people use to describe their work are ?pointless,? ?useless,? ?ridiculous,? ?meaningless,? and even ?soul-crushing.?
If a person describes their job or career with the above words, it is likely they tend to have lower levels of life satisfaction and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. They?re less productive and have more absenteeism than people who have meaningful jobs. They are also more likely to leave their jobs looking for something better.
Those people who perform meaningful work rank higher in every aspect of life satisfaction and happiness. They?re less stressed, happier, more content, and far more satisfied with their lives. They like themselves more and look forward to going into work every day.
This is the case even if they?re making less money than they could be at another type of job and even if the job isn?t something they want to do long-term.
If this is the case, why do so many people work at jobs they hate?
Unfortunately, making ends meet in a tough world is certainly one of them; you have to make money somehow to get by, and a bad job can sometimes be better than no job until you can find something better.
Then there are those that settle, giving up on finding meaningful work (or never try in the first place) and take a bad job and then rationalize it as ?they have to work.? Don't give up on the finding your meaningful work. Lots of people have!
Does any of this sound like you? Do you hate your job? Then it?s time to find something else. You want to be happy, and since work is such a big part of life, you need to find something meaningful to do.
Start by defining what meaningful work would be for you. Then go out and find (or create) it. This is your only life. You don?t have to settle for less than amazing in anything, including work. Go live the life you want!
