Work: Lifesaving for Some, Stressful for Others
When we start our work life at the age of 8, it molds the future. Work becomes a part of us that persists even when there is no monetary need. Accomplishing something, however small, brings satisfaction like no other.
When my friends and associates share their fantasy fortune stories centered on winning the lottery or inheriting a pile of cash, I feel a little hollow inside. Do they envision starting a school, building a creative business, or designing something new. Nooo, the answer is simple, so they can quit working, what else. Doomed to live the rest of their lives in boring luxury.
A life without work is deadening. In my research for this article, some of my colleagues share their life after work story with me. Their inner feeling of loneliness haunts their daily lives even with family and friends in their environment. Their search begins for some way to be relevant, truly missing the satisfaction of a job well done. Hobbies works for some, volunteer stints for others, addictions pop up too. We need to matter to ourselves first, loved ones next and on down the list.
What derails the younger generation is the popular definition of work. To be successful, work must produce an above average compensation, as though this is the rewarding part. Admittedly, public statements about “work is its own reward” come from primarily rich spokespersons. If we want to find a school janitor promoting this slogan, plan on it coming from the character in a movie.
Employers provide little support to encourage worker satisfaction; high turnover numbers ignored. Critical thinking, alas, not an important element here. Research shows the high cost of training a new employee can be channeled instead into generous childcare and family leave. Ethical work environments count too.
Since the financial scandals of 2008, our citizens here in the United States of America live tense, money-based lives. The mental safety net is gone, it’s every person for themselves. Instead of working collectively to correct the system that allows that safety net to fail, we put our heads in the sand and truck on. Limited attempts by the government to put safety locks in place, no justice in the courts, we are on our own, literally.
As said by philosophers of every age, adversity breeds opportunity. Knowing that our energy rewards directly, a different definition of work emerges. The thought of owning our own business seems complicated and beyond our skills…until inspiration strikes. Why not take our skills and market them? All the tools are in place now.
Make our own rules, decide our own fate in the financial world; small business is the heart of our nation and the rest of the world. With technology growing quickly to provide opportunities not available before, be the best we can be. The time to invest in ourselves is now. For a small upfront cost, great contentment is possible. The stress is rewarding at the end of the day instead of frustrating, job well done. Live long and prosper!
