Here’s a collection of thoughts that we hope will help you in figuring out your worth in everyday work
Words: FWD Media Images: Various sources
Most of us work in the typical for-profit firm, engaging 8-10 hour, 6 days a week that ends up taking almost one-third of our lifetime. Thus when we spent such long amount of time at something, we end up questioning our life choices. We ask ourselves if we are actually making a difference and if, there is any purpose in what we are doing. The 20-year-olds passionate struggle for a job, the 30-year-olds struggle for stability, the 40-year-olds struggle for prosperity, the 50-year-olds struggle for a good retirement; and weaving in and out through these timelines is the need for Purpose, some meaning for our existence. So how do we find meaning in any job we do?
Here’s a collection of thoughts that we hope will help you in figuring out your worth in everyday work.
- Every job has its own value and this means that we are doing valuable work as well.
- Our work contributes towards the things that are important to us – like giving us financial security, helping us take that vacation we always wanted and so on – and identifying this will make us appreciate and value our work even more.
- Work adds to us as a person and to our lives. It gives us opportunities to become better versions of ourselves, equipping us with skills, honing our talents and even defining the legacy we are left with at the end
- Mix and incorporate things you like into your work to add more meaning to the work you are doing. If you are an enthusiastic environmentalist, take up eco-friendly initiatives in your office so that you enjoy and find more meaning in your time spent in the office.
- Build better interpersonal relationships at your workplace so that every morning you can look forward to coming to an office filled with friends rather than just co-workers.
- Stay positive and appreciative by focussing on the things you like at work – maybe the lunch break, the social events, the CSR activities – during the 8-9 hours you spend there.
- Connect the dots on how even the little tasks you do are leading up to a meaningful bigger picture. You might even discover that this job is leading you to your Big Dream in life.
All we want is to leave our tiny footprint in this huge playground of a world. It is up to you to decide what’s meaningful and you get to figure out how to go about achieving things. There are things you want to attain and it’s a struggle, but the point is to take it one day at a time. And if this piece of writing helps you get through today, then we have done something meaningful and this cycle can continue with you.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” -Helen Keller