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Why do we even work? And by work, I mean any type of labor we do to achieve a purpose or result, within or outside of employment. If we had enough money to sustain ourselves and our families for the rest of our lives, would we even consider working? And if it’s really for money, why don’t we stop hustling for advancement once we’ve reached a comfortable salary range? And how come filthy rich people still engage in this activity if it’s something they can do without? Well, maybe because working is human nature that we instinctively do it even if we have a choice not to. Or perhaps because it adds value to our lives in ways we just don’t realize. Let’s give credit to where credit is due – here are some life purposes of work we just tend to overlook.
1. Livelihood
Just in case we’re forgetting. We work to earn a living and support ourselves and our families. We hold a job to bring food to the table, send our kids to school, pay the bills, and save some for the rainy days. It’s noble in itself and as decent as it gets.
2. Productivity
What’s the psychology behind productivity? It’s twofold.
One is that time is our most valuable non-renewable resource. We can’t get it back. It’s for this reason that we feel guilty when we don’t spend it wisely. But how do we know if we’re spending it wisely? This is where productivity comes into play. Since time is a resource we invest in, we consider productivity as our measure of return on investment. How much we’ve accomplished (and the quality of it) in a given period is our gauge of how much our time was worth.
Second, productivity translates our knowledge and abilities into something tangible. It’s what links potential to actuality. This tangible output leads to gratification as it’s a testament to how useful we are, how much we can contribute, and how capable we are of progress.
3. Creativity
Work is a great outlet. An avenue to express ourselves. A safe place for our ideas, imagination, and talent. A means for us to create, build and innovate. It’s a bonus if we can get paid for it.
4. Connections
Work lets us connect. We are social beings after all and regardless of our personality type, to some degree, we still crave human interaction. And when we’re into something – may it be a hobby, an interest, or a line of work, we tend to gravitate toward like-minded people. Additionally, to be surrounded by peers who have the same advocacy or passion organically brings out the best in us. Being in this type of environment creates a sense of belongingness – which we all need.
5. Personal Growth
Work aids personal growth. It lets us climb the hierarchy of needs naturally. We start by providing basic needs to ourselves and our family followed by taking steps to ensure stability and security. Our work later becomes a means to forge meaningful relationships – both professionally and personally.
And since it’s our nature to want to be the best in whatever we do, this second home becomes a source of pride and prestige, a corner that holds several of our accomplishments. If we’re lucky, this same space can pave the way for us to actualize our full potential. It’s typically instrumental to a lot of lessons, milestones, and discoveries. A training ground for thoughts, hard skills, and character development we can use in other areas of our life. Whatever purpose it serves, it’s safe to say it always adds something of value to our journey.
6. Greater purpose
It enables us to contribute to a greater purpose in our little ways. A hospital custodian helps save lives. A supermarket worker supports communities. A musician brings people together. We’re all part of a bigger system where everyone plays a part. Work is an act of service, and it’s this sense of purpose that brings us out of bed every day.
7. Whole sense of appreciation
Our labor keeps us grounded. It enables us to appreciate and respect hard work. It makes us more compassionate toward other people knowing from experience how much it takes for someone to work. It’s why we value money. It’s how we realize our parents’ sacrifices. It makes us human who can relate and empathize. Work educates us.
Work is integrated into our lives and makes it more meaningful. It unlocks our aptitude and propels us to greater heights. Imagine a life without it and how much that takes away from what we could possibly be. And it doesn’t matter what kind of work we do. We could be stay-at-home parents frantic every day to run our households, we could be dog walkers, or artists silently working on our craft in our garage – these are all forms of work. And we do it because there’s joy, pride, and honor in it.
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