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Seek and Find the Sense of One's Work

Definition, Explanation

You do not live for your work, but you work for your live“ is the saying on the one hand. On the other, especially jobless people feel that they miss something, that they need something to deine themselves, that work is an essential part of life. The term work does not only associate paid work, working for an income, but also occupations like work on yourself, civil work, parents' work and last but not least the work of housekeeping.

The question for the sense of work is not a young child of the high rate of automatization in modern economy. Already the Ancient Greek philosophers thought about it. They came to the insight that the sense of life was not to be found in work, but in artistic and intellectual activity and in communication. Today, this has become an issue again, with respect to unemployment, burn-out and the debate about the basic income.

Not only the unemployed are forced to face up to the sense of work. Especially people in leading positions and in stressful and responsible occupations have to deal with this question. Some others, again, find no more sense in their work, but find it a burden. General discontentment or illness can be a sign that your inner sense has not been found or has been lost. Studies have shown that it depends largely on a persons attitude in how far the work is felt to make sense. Furthermore it makes a great influence, how much the occupation is felt to follow an inner calling. People who can follow their vocations like artists, researchers or artisans, experience their work more sense-making than many office workers in large companies.

Tips, Checklist

• The personality analysis helps here, to judge if your work suits you
• Even in times of a high unemployment rate, you should ask for the sense in your work and compare your goals and your inner calling with your current occupation
• Never let go of the dream to find a work that gives you the feeling of making sense. To realize it, also consider the possibilities of changing your job, finding self-fulfillment in an independent occupation, or to achieve requirements for a job that you would love by attending further education

Last update: 06/01/2010