What are our reasons for working?

Work occupies 100,000 hours or about 40 percent of our lives, including commuting and thinking about it outside office hours. It seems reasonable, therefore, that we should do all we can to choose work that will provide satisfaction and joy in our lives.

Let’s discuss some reasons why we work and why some of us do not want to. Fundamentally speaking, have we ever considered why we work? Each of us has a different reason.

Many of us just accept work as the thing to do and rarely realize that it is one of the most important acts that we do daily in our life. Work is the place where we spend some of our most creative and enjoyable time. Unfortunately for some of us, work is also the place where we most dread going. Do we ever wonder why after X number of years of doing work we hate, we become burned out, retire and fade into oblivion. The result: A lifetime of unhappiness!

When we say we work “because we have to,” it is because we see it as an unavoidable part of life. When we feel like that, we feel unmotivated at our jobs, bitter toward others, resentful at home, and live the same day over and over again for our entire working lives. How sad and depressing life is for us who feel and live like this.

Some of us work to provide for others. This can be a big motivator, especially in single income families. There is nothing quite like knowing that we are the sole link between our family and their ability to survive in this world. Many times we married couples feel we have an obligation to work for our spouse. With this motive we daily feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Life takes on a new dimensional meaning.

Some of us work because we love what we do. This is the crowd that practices the “do what you love and the money will come” philosophy. We are passionate about our vocation, and can get lost in our career’s passion.

Some of us work primarily out of fear. We work because we are scared of the alternative of not having a job we like, or any job at all. Unfortunately, today with a strong recession and a high unemployment rate, this type of feeling spreads quickly through the working ranks.

Some of us work to fund our true passions. While our primary income may not be from a career building position or a job we particularly like, we use the money earned to fund a hobby, a passion, or do a side business that we are crazy about. This can be a win-win situation for all involved.

Some of us work simply for the money. We love the idea of money, and the idea of making a lot of it even more. This group of workers can quickly forget its true motivation, as its only aspiration turns into maximizing and consistently increasing its income. We become greedy, and lack the perspective to see when enough becomes enough.

Some of us work to leave a legacy or for recognition and greatness. We see our work as a critical part of something we are building or a part of. Many times we may be volunteers or non-profit workers, trying to make a difference and leave the world a better place.

Still some of us work primarily to share. We often contribute large percentages of our income to charity and causes. We feel that the money we make transcends our immediate needs, and are very passionate about those we financially support.

There are those of us who work out of boredom. We are retirees who may have experienced the lack of stimulation that abrupt retirement brings, and seek to return to work simply to keep ourselves occupied with something.

Some of don’t know why we work. I have a feeling that this is a large percentage of the population. We work day after day without giving a second thought as to what we are doing. We are a little bit like the group that works because “we have to,” but never really sit down to give the question a second thought.

Then there are some of us who don’t want to work. The reasons can be that we want to feel free to come and go as we wish. We refuse to become domesticated. We apply for food stamps and free medical treatments and too often get them successfully. Something happens to us. We begin to feel that we can scam the system even though we know that we are fast becoming beggars. We lose the feeling of shame and become accustomed to freebies.

As adults we all get to make choices and live with the consequences. Some of us decide not to work and then try to escape the consequences by looking to others for support. We do this by begging for money at every opportune moment, applying for government welfare programs, or just living off the generosity of others.

When people don’t work for any reason, they are not contributing to society. This puts a burden on responsible working adults who end up paying for them in the long run. These people are parasites.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in being charitable-in fact, we all have a responsibility to help others in need. It feels good to help a family that is really struggling or someone with health issues, or the elderly. Sometimes people just end up in difficult circumstances and need help. I completely understand this and participate in giving in those situations.

I believe that we are actually doing harm by helping those who choose not to work. We are enabling them, the same way we are enabling an alcoholic or a drug user. I’m not referring to homeless people, those who are disabled, the elderly, or special needs people.

I’m talking about normal people who are just plain lazy and just don’t want to work. These are able-bodied people who want others to pay their way and are very good at figuring out ways to work the system. If these people don’t want to work, they should have to live the consequences. Hunger can be a great motivator.

I recall a trip to Mexico several years ago. Our tour guide turned to me and said: “I envy you Americans. You have food stamps and other welfare programs where you can get free food and other benefits. But here in Mexico, we either work or we don’t eat!”

It is saddening to see how few of the local citizens are preparing to train themselves to enter the labor market with a skill or profession. Yet thousands of them line up monthly for food stamps with no thought of becoming workers. Others keep complaining they cannot find a job and yet refuse to learn a skill. Have they no shame, no pride? Where does this lead us to as a nation in our attempt to rebuild our economy when we, who are able- bodied citizens, refuse to work?

Frankly speaking, the reason I continue to work this late in life is that the activity considered work by many others is a joy for being alive to me. It gives me a reason for awakening and facing an otherwise dreary and boring life. I feel I have meaning in my life and a reason for living.

Hopefully after reading through the above we will begin to question why we work. When we come to realize the reason, our life will take on a new meaning. After all, what is the purpose of any activity we perform? Isn’t to enrich our lives and bring more joy to us and to the people we love? Have a beautiful day and smile! It’s contagious.