These past few weeks have been pretty busy at work, and I’ve found myself reflecting on what motivates me to get everything done. I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of purpose in work—whether it’s better to find fulfillment in what you do for a living or to seek purpose outside of work. It’s not that I’m having a life crisis, but writing these newsletters has forced me to think more deeply about these sorts of things.
Whether you should find purpose in your job or if it’s okay to work simply to make a living and find purpose elsewhere has been debated for a long time. Some believe a job should be more than just a paycheck—it should be a passion, a calling, something that drives you to live. They argue that spending the majority of your waking hours at a job you’re not passionate about is a waste of potential. These people chase careers that align with their values and passions, striving to make a difference through their work. But is this always possible? Or even necessary? For others, work is simply a means to an end—a way to fund a life filled with purpose outside the office. They find joy and meaning in hobbies, family, or side projects, and believe that this is just as fulfilling as a purpose-driven career.
Some suggest that turning your passion into work can actually take the joy out of it. Instead of relying on a passion or hobby as your primary source of income, they argue it might be better to earn a living doing something else and preserve your passion or hobby. I’m not sure there’s a definitive answer. People have succeeded with both approaches, and I believe it varies from person to person. For example, some professional athletes treat their sport like a job while still finding joy in it, perhaps because they’re driven to be the best. Others might work really hard when they’re young at high-paying jobs so they can retire early and pursue other passions. Neither approach is wrong. Overworking yourself is a real risk, but if you can find the balance, you can still work hard without burning out.
Personally, I’ve always told myself I want to work on things that help the planet. I’ve tried to accomplish this by focusing on energy-saving initiatives in houses during my research and, more recently, by working to reduce energy consumption in data centers. But now, I find myself questioning whether this goal is too broad—so broad that I could justify almost any job as “helping the planet.” I want to figure out a more specific goal, but I also want to avoid just picking a goal that aligns with my career path. It’s kind of like trying to figure out my “ikigai”—a Japanese word that translates to “purpose for living.” But maybe the real question I’m trying to answer is whether my ikigai has to relate to my job.
So, where does that leave us? Maybe the answer is in the middle— finding enough satisfaction in your work while pursuing passions outside of it. Or maybe it’s about recognizing that purpose can evolve, and what drives you today might change over time. What do you think? Is it better to have a purpose-driven career, or is it okay to find purpose outside of work? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reply on social media, email ([email protected]) or use my anonymous form.