Dread the daily grind? Congratulations, you must be the proud owner of a job! That’s something to be thankful for, especially these days. Still, should it really cause dread? Maybe you need to find work.
What’s the difference? Your work is the contribution you make to the world. It’s your calling and it has the potential to produce a great deal of satisfaction. Jobs, on the other hand, tend to bring little more than a paycheck. Connect the two though and your job suddenly has meaning. The trick is to see your job as the vehicle for your work. Do so and the grind becomes opportunity. Dread gives way to joy.
The first step? Identify your calling. Most people find pleasure in putting their strengths to use in ways that serve others. What are your strengths? If your financial goals were realized and you no longer had need of compensation, what activities would fill your time? Most of us want to accomplish something of lasting value. In what way do you long to leave your mark on the world?
Answering these questions may not be easy. It takes time to discover which things awaken passion within us. Trial and error are sometimes necessary to clarify our vision. The great news is it’s easier than ever to connect with people engaged in meaningful work. Learning from their success can be a catalyst for your own. Here are a few resources you may find helpful:
- Stefan Sagmeister – In this TED talk Sagmeister discusses the difference between a job, career and work.
- Seth Godin – Seth Godin is an author/speaker/blogger/innovator whose content encourages others to produce work that matters.
- Marcus Buckingham – Marcus Buckingham helps people find their strengths and put them to work. More resources available on his site.
Knowing I would launch this conversation today made waking up feel like Christmas morning. I am inspired by the idea of working with you in ways that renew our cities and help us savor life. What do you find inspiring?
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This was a very inspiring post, Stephen!
Excellent. Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life has the same premise and is one of my favorite books.
Thanks, Dad. I’m really glad you liked the post. Thanks for the book recommendation. I just finished reading the first two chapters.