“The desire for fulfilling work - a job that provides a deep sense of purpose and reflects our values, passions and personality - is a modern invention.” In his book How to Find Fulfilling Work, Roman Krznaric explains that the word ‘fulfilment’ was not even in the Dictionary, published by Samuel Johnson in 1755. Indeed, our predecessors were too busy making ends meet, and even my parents think that taking ‘life-enhancing’ approach to work is a ‘luxury’ idea. It makes sense: the word ‘work' in Russian has the same root as the word ‘slave'.
Today professionals of the Western world have noticeably moved on from the ideal of ‘money’ to ‘meaning’. Yet not many break out of clutches of unfulfilling work. Perhaps one reason for that is that recognising a shift in values does not immediately help us identify new opportunities compatible to a relative importance of fulfilment, meaning, freedom and making a difference.
Let’s talk about the latter. Many people seem to think that making a difference involves a degree in medicine or working for a charity. In fact, there are so many other awe-inspiring ways to do good.
I once met truck drivers in Kamchatka who told me about their work, carrying supplies to remote villages, crossing rivers, travelling in snow storms and finding path where roads don’t exist. And what about engineers who constructed and tested those awesome machines?
Consider psychologists, who help their patients throughout difficult times and guide them on personal journeys of self-development; journalists, reporting on issues, they feel need to be broadcast and addressed or simply professionals, who find time to volunteer and help their friends.
There are many ways to make a difference. Possibly the most inspiring thing you can do is follow your dreams and allow people around you expand their horizons of what’s possible.
Today professionals of the Western world have noticeably moved on from the ideal of ‘money’ to ‘meaning’. Yet not many break out of clutches of unfulfilling work. Perhaps one reason for that is that recognising a shift in values does not immediately help us identify new opportunities compatible to a relative importance of fulfilment, meaning, freedom and making a difference.
Let’s talk about the latter. Many people seem to think that making a difference involves a degree in medicine or working for a charity. In fact, there are so many other awe-inspiring ways to do good.
I once met truck drivers in Kamchatka who told me about their work, carrying supplies to remote villages, crossing rivers, travelling in snow storms and finding path where roads don’t exist. And what about engineers who constructed and tested those awesome machines?
Consider psychologists, who help their patients throughout difficult times and guide them on personal journeys of self-development; journalists, reporting on issues, they feel need to be broadcast and addressed or simply professionals, who find time to volunteer and help their friends.
There are many ways to make a difference. Possibly the most inspiring thing you can do is follow your dreams and allow people around you expand their horizons of what’s possible.
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