on June 6, 2023
I’ve encountered far too many people over the years who are miserable. They complain that they’re busy, work is stressful, they have no time to do what they love, and no time to themselves. Oftentimes, the complaints stem from work—they are working to earn a paycheck, nothing more. I have difficulty seeing the sense in this. Why do something that takes up the majority of your waking hours when you can’t stand doing it? Yes, you have to earn money, but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable! The trick is finding something you enjoy doing—something that doesn’t really feel like work at all. Let’s talk a bit about finding purpose and enjoyment in your work.
Pairing Your Purpose with Your Work
I’m a big proponent of pairing your purpose with your work. As a financial advisor, I love what I do. Helping my clients gives me satisfaction, joy, and, yes, a sense of purpose. When you align your passion and values with your work, it becomes easier to find meaning in what you do. You don’t feel like you’re just working for a paycheck; you’re working towards a greater purpose.
When you love what you do, it’s not considered work. The days fly by and you don’t have to constantly think about escaping from the drudgery of work. You feel fulfilled and energized by what you’re doing. Even on the tough days, you can find motivation in the bigger picture.
Life is Short, So Take Chances
Life is a brief, bright thing, so you might as well take chances and live according to your values and interests. Pursuing your passion can be scary, but it’s worth it. You don’t want to look back on your life and regret not taking a chance on yourself. Take the leap and see where it takes you. That might mean taking time to reflect on your current path and determining how to make a (potentially major) change.
Infusing Your Work with Purpose
To infuse your work with purpose, you may have to take risks and, possibly, change course. This will also take some intentional strategizing and soul-searching. What do you really want to do? What brings you joy? What motivates you? Answering these questions can help you identify the steps you need to take to find purpose in your work.
One way to infuse your work with purpose is to examine the impact your work has on others. Does your work make a difference in people’s lives? Does it contribute to a greater good? If not, how can you adjust your approach to make a positive impact? Another way to find purpose is to set goals for yourself. What do you want to accomplish in your career? What milestones do you want to reach? Setting goals can give you a clear sense of direction and purpose in your work. Remember, it’s never too late to make a change and find purpose in your work.
To me, finding purpose in your work is vitally important. No one wants to spend the majority of their waking hours doing something that makes them miserable. By pairing your purpose with your work, taking chances, and finding what you love, you can feel fulfilled and energized by what you do. It’s time to start reflecting and taking action towards finding your purpose. Remember, life is short, so make the most of it.