Should work be meaningful?
Is it just meant to be something you do to pay the bills, put food on the table and a roof over your head?
As I was reading Money is the new secret of a happy job by Lucy Kellaway, yes, her again (FT, December 15), I thought of one of Frank Zappa's provocative title, We're only in it for the money.
It seems that the more money we make, the more we want to find a sense of purpose in our work.
It cannot be only about making a living.
Could we be happier if we showed up at work without any grand plan, did our job and left work behind when we head home?
Is it what David Ferrabee describes as Sanity at Work (Hill and Knowlton Blog, September 06)?
I am sure my paternal grandfather who worked as a carpenter in a shipyard did not have existential thoughts about his job.
In How to keep your sanity when work gets stressful (March 2008), Harvey Mackay who writes the 'Outswimming the Sharks' column for "Star Tribune' shares a few favorite sayings of which I picked three:
- Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
- Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
- A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery along a detour.
Is there something wrong with doing something that pays the bills as long as it does not crush you?
Is work the only thing that can make you feel fulfilled?
A skills that pay the bills bit for Monday Work Etiquette # 68
Last week: Hugs not Threats, What People Want at Work in A Recession