What does your work actually mean to you?

Everyone works for different reasons some people work for money, some because they love what they do but sometimes there are some people who work because they feel they have to.

So is your job a means to end? I remember asking a old colleague of mine why they worked where they did. It was evident by their attitude they didn't like their job as they always complained "I am bored". So I asked them why do you work here then? At first they were shocked but they said "Because I have to do something". I then remember asking them what do you actually want to do and they said "No idea". How many people who go from job to job like they this individual feel this way? I am not judging anyone here but I feel its important if you want to work it should be doing something that you enjoy and not because you need to.

Working because you want to

Question is how many of you work right now because society tells you have to and not because you want to. Nobody through choice wants to be on job seekers allowance and am not trying to encourage that here either. What if you had the choice to work because you wanted to do not because you had to? Think about that for a second it may seem strange why I am talking about this as many of you may feel the same thing "We all have to work don't we?" Yes wouldn't be better if this was out of choice rather then necessity. In fact why can't it be both.

What does work mean for you?

The meaning of work according to the online dictionary includes:

1.activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result.

2. a task or tasks to be undertaken.

Do either of these definitions fit in to how you interpret work probably not. My point is that work by our individual minds can be interpreted in so many different ways. The person who works as banker cashier is no different to a business owner who runs a flower shop. What is different is the activity they engage and perhaps their attitude to their work. Lets take these examples the cashier may of landed this role right after leaving school and feels trapped in this role they feel they can't go anywhere else. Whilst the florist owner made the conscious decision to open up their own business and be their own boss. This example could also be the other way round but I am trying to say how many of us have made conscious decisions to be were we right now. Some of us may have, as have I but not everyone does. I am not saying this is a bad thing but many of us feel the expectations put on us so great its hard to achieve what we actually want.

Why is work so important to you?

Work is important to people in different ways. I hear may people saying if I don't work I can't pay the bills or mortgage. This is so important definitely but has the need for having to work been overridden by actually doing something you really love. It's never too late to change your job or career. I have seen so many people do this successfully and helped people with their individual transitions. Yet sometimes society and the people we surround ourselves with stop this from happening.

Redundancy is a key factor in changing people's attitude to work. I remember when I was at risk of redundancy I felt vulnerable and wasn't sure about what I would do, if I lost my job it was a constant worry for me. Many people feel like who they are as individuals is put into question. Their work means so much to them it may feel like a part of them is being chipped away. Having been through this myself its not nice seeing your work colleagues angry, frustrated and upset. Your work is important but there are so many things which are even more important when it comes down to it. Like your family and health etc.  The work you do is only one element of your life it shouldn't define who you are.

So what does your work really mean to you? This is something only you can answer. For me my work is my mission to help professional women seek happiness in your careers and find something they really want. This makes me happy. What makes you happy and how can you implement this happiness in your work?

If you want to find out more about career happiness and what it means to you why not listen to the podcast please see link here

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Many thanks

Soma x