Why What You Do For A Living Matters

What do you do for a living? That’s a pretty big question, isn’t it? Our job, our career, and how we earn money to finance our life is a big part of how we define ourselves. It’s often one of the first pieces of information we share after our name when we meet someone else. It’s a big part of our identity and of our feeling of self-worth.

We also spend a lot of time “on the job” between the 40+ hours we actually spend at work, lunch breaks, commutes back and forth, and of course, getting ready for or unwinding from work, this takes up most of our working hours. With this much time devoted to our job, doesn’t it make sense to do something we enjoy and that brings us happiness?

This is one reason why it matters what you do for a living. You’re spending a lot of time training for your job, on your job, and thinking about your job. While not everyone will end up following their passion and working in a job that fulfills their purpose in life, it is something to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to go into the workforce or are switching jobs. We invest a lot of hours into working and our time is our most valuable asset. Sometimes, living our purpose means a job change and can be a very good thing.

On the flip side, we need to have a job that pays the bills so we can support our families. If you’re a single mom, you may consider your purpose to be to spend as much time as possible raising your kids. Your dream job may be a stay at home mom, but with no second parent to support your little family, that may not be possible. This is when it’s time to look outside the box. Maybe you can find a way to work from home or bring your kids to work with you. Maybe you can work two long overnight shifts as a nurse on the weekend while someone watches the kids and be there for them the rest of the week. There are ways to make your job work around your purpose, no matter what it may be. Sometimes, we need to think outside the box.

Keep in mind that things don’t have to be perfect; in fact, they seldom are. Remember, perfection is not the goal; leading a happy and fulfilled life is. Think about your current job. Does it work for you? What works well, and what doesn’t? What small changes or tweaks can you make to improve what you’ve got? In other words, think about how you can change how you make a living to align with your purpose in life. Sometimes, changing your thinking can help you connect your job to your purpose; if not, then make a plan to implement those changes that will allow you to live intentionally.

Today, take some time to evaluate your work life. Do you have a job or a career? What are the benefits and experiences you have with this employment? Is there something missing? Reflect on your situation and ask yourself if it aligns to your personal values, and if it doesn't, what changes would you like to make?

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Cheers!

Lisa