Article - Meaningless Work - Trading Time for Dollars by Debra Thorsen

Meaningless Work

Trading Time for Dollars

Article by Lea Pitcher

Why do we work? For money, prestige, to buy stuff, to send our children to school? Why?

My research shows that 25% of American workers show up only for a paycheck and 75% of Americans are not satisfied with their jobs. I think this is tragic. I am not willing to trade my life for money. I believe that work is our greatest opportunity for self-discovery and self-expression.

Herbert Simon, Nobel Prize winner in economics and one of the founders of Artificial Intelligence, addressed my business school class at Carnegie Mellon during our orientation weekend. He said, “Do what you love and the money will follow.”

Is it really this simple? At the time, I thought skeptically, “That is easy for you to say Mr. Simon, you are successful and respected.” But he got that way by doing what he loved to do. Herbert Simon did not set out to make money. He followed his bliss, his inner guidance system.

If your primary goal in work is to make money, then you will always be dissatisfied. There will never be enough money to fill the empty spot inside of you. Happiness is an inner game. I don't think that most people can be truly happy unless they are engaged in work that feeds their souls and gives their life meaning. This happens by viewing work as service not just an exchange for dollars.

In the Corporate Cubeworld, we identify ourselves by our titles: Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Director of Corporate Development, Head of the Research Department.

Is this really who we are?

I don't think so. The Corporate Cubeworld would like us to think so. But, if we define ourselves so narrowly, then we cut ourselves off from other parts of our life and we are dependent upon the Cubeworld – which is an undependable source of joy, security, and fulfillment.

What is the purpose of life? My meditation teacher, Ron Rathbun, says in his book The Silent Miracle , “Life does not need a reason to be, it just is…Ultimately your purpose is to find those parts of your soul that you do not understand.”

Jerry and Esther Hicks believe that the purpose of life is “to experience joy.”

Many people that I coach are desperately searching for the purpose for their lives. The thought that they don't have a purpose depresses them. Even the undertaking to discover their purpose puts them in a state of fear and dread.

Relax. Your purpose is to be the best and most authentic you. My purpose is to be the best Lea Lea Pitcher that I can be and to understand myself as thoroughly as I can. A big part of this understanding is to determine what I want in my life and to learn how to attract what I want into my life.

On this road to understanding, your work can be the most important avenue for self-expression. You are a gift to the world. Through your chosen work, you can share your unique gifts. You will best be able to do this if you are engaged in work that you love.

If money were no issue and you knew that you could not fail, how would you share your gifts with this world? Follow your bliss.

Go forth and prosper!

Lea Pitcher

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Lea Pitcher is a carefree corporate escapee who uses her MBA from Carnegie Mellon, BA in cultural anthropology, and Personal and Professional Coach certification to help individuals break free from the corporate world and create real wealth and happiness. Please visit www.fearlessguides.com for additional career change advice articles and resources on breaking free from the corporate world.

© 2005 Lea Pitcher, All rights reserved. You are free to republish this article in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

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