The Problem With Work

Have you ever considered that what we call ‘work’ isn’t just the job we do to earn a wage? It is, more often than not, a way of describing those things we don’t like doing, or do reluctantly.

Adults go to work, school children are set homework, students do coursework and the person left at home does the housework.

When we enjoy what we’re doing, we don’t tend to regard it as ‘work’. We do it without thinking; without feeling any kind of resentment about the fact we’re having to do it.

Having to do it doesn’t even come into the reckoning, because we feel we are doing what we do through choice.

That is the joy of doing a job we feel passionate about, hence the idea of a ‘vocation’. ‘Vocation’ is defined as a type of work demanding special commitment; or it can refer to a strong feeling of being destined or chosen. In this context it can have religious connotations as well.

Activities we enjoy are simply something we do as an end in themselves, not to achieve some further end - a wage packet or a holiday in the sun - although these may also be part of the reward. Work under these circumstances becomes an integrated part of our life, rather than something we just want to get out of the way.

This is one of the benefits that can be gained from self-employment. At least then we are working for ourselves rather than for someone else. The motivation for this kind of work comes more fully from within ourselves.

Not all of us have the luxury of being in a job we enjoy unequivocally. And of course a job we enjoy brings its own dangers. Most of us like to set clear boundaries on our work, but our passions can filter into all aspects of our life, taking it over without us realising it.

This can also be unhealthy. There is still a need for us to take time out, to change perspective, to try something different for a while and to re-energise.

Like so many other things, however, our view of work is ultimately determined by our own perceptions. And those perceptions are always within our own power to control.