Should work be meaningful, or simply a way to pay the bills?
I’ve always believed that work can and should feel fulfilling. It is worth fighting for a job that makes you proud and that you find mostly enjoyable. After all, we spend around 40-45% of our waking hours working every week. It would be a shame to waste such a big part of our lives doing something that feels empty or draining.
Of course, not everyone agrees. For example, in my family, some older generation members see work purely as a way to earn money, nothing more. They tell me jokingly that I have ‘pajaritos en la cabeza’ (little birds in my head), a Spanish way of calling me over-idealistic.
Maybe they are right in their own way, but I prefer to believe in a life where passion and fulfilment can coexist with practicality.
That said, I also understand that life happens. Responsibilities grow, choices narrow, and sometimes we simply need stability. In those moments, I usually suggest two things:
1.Find meaning outside of work: We all need a sense of purpose. If work cannot provide it right now, look for it in other places like hobbies, relationships, or personal projects.
2.Redefine your relationship with work: Even if your job is not your dream role, there are always ways to make it more enjoyable. Focus on what you like, whether it is your colleagues, learning opportunities, mentoring others, or improving a process you care about. (follow Bree Groff and Ian Sanders for inspiration in this regard!)
Many of my clients have, in fact, not changed jobs, but they have changed how they relate to their work. For example, some moved to a four-day week, change locations… Others created side projects within their companies or explored passion projects outside of work.
These small shifts can reignite motivation and help them build a bridge toward something more meaningful in the near future.
