Recently, the New York Times published an important piece by Robert H. Frank, an Economics professor at Cornell University: The Incalculable Value of Finding a Job You Love.
While I will summarize a few of the findings, you should read the entire article. It includes some fascinating thoughts on the connection between money and happiness.
But I was most intrigued by the connection made between work and life satisfaction. In the article, Frank explains the importance of finding work you love and its vital role in enjoying a satisfying life. And when nearly 70% of U.S. employees are miserable at work, his thoughts are important.
Frank defines some of the key elements (other than salary) that contribute to work satisfaction: attractive working conditions, greater autonomy, better opportunities for learning, and enhanced workplace safety. I might also add some of these factors that I first wrote about six years ago.
But Frank doesn’t end there. He also adds two important criteria not often considered in job selection: 1) how you feel about your employer’s mission and 2) your natural propensity to develop deep expertise in your work.
Finding a career that aligns with your values obviously spurs satisfaction. But in Dr. Frank’s analysis, so does finding a career in which you enjoy the daily tasks and are therefore more likely to become proficient in them.
We are most satisfied in life when we are most proud of the work we do—both in purpose and in quality. (tweet that)
Using these criteria, it is wise for each of us to evaluate our current work and determine if we have chosen careers that align with these realities. We only get one life. And to the best of our ability, we should try to find work that complements and adds value to it.
Often times, however, people make the wrong assumption when they hear advice to “find work that increases life satisfaction.” Too many people assume this requires a career change.
But for most people, finding satisfaction at work does not necessarily require a career and/or employer change. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as a shift in mindset.
The quickest way to begin finding greater satisfaction in work (and subsequently life) is to begin asking ourselves a new question about the work that we currently do.
Most people ask themselves, “What do I receive from the work that I do?” They weigh the salary, the benefits, the freedom, or the opportunity for early retirement. But at its core, this is a selfish question—it keeps the goal of work focused entirely on what it brings into my life.
A far better question to ask about our work is, “How does my work benefit others?”
The answer to this question begins to shift the focus at work from selfishness to selflessness. We begin to see our work not as a selfish endeavor, but as a selfless one—one that loves and serves society by offering our talents and experiences.
How does your hard work benefit others?
This shift in mindset is more available than you might think. A farmer uses his talent to grow food for hungry people. A doctor uses his skill to bring healing to the sick. An accountant provides financial advice for those who need it. An auto mechanic fixes vehicles for those who can not. A landscaper creates beautiful places for people to live. A grocery store cashier allows fresh food to be distributed.
While there are a few exceptions, almost every job benefits others. This is a realization that quickly contributes to life satisfaction. Our work is not for selfish pursuits—our work provides value to the people around us.
Drawing from the conversation prompted in The New York Times, we can see how this shift in mindset also affects our life satisfaction. The more we focus on how our work benefits others, the more we begin to see how our values align with our employer. And the more we see how our work genuinely benefits others, the more we are drawn to effectiveness and proficiency in it.
There is certainly a time and a place for changing careers (or employers) to increase life satisfaction. But often times, the quickest solution is to shift how we think about it altogether.
And, I must add, it feels good to work non-profit. The goal with my work is not to sell anything, or to make more money for my organization. It’s to provide good, safe and creative free time for young people. Nothing more.
Another great post, thank you.
Really interesting piece. Autonomy, developing subject-matter-expertise and purpose have been found to be the primary drivers for professional satisfaction and it is great to hear different perspectives on how to achieve that.
I like the perspective on helping others. Sort of like how it’s more fulfilling to give someone a thoughtful gift than it is to receive a gift. Whenever I write or create artwork that uplifts others, I find deep satisfaction in that. Thanks for another great post!
Thank you for your reply. I am obviously discouraged as you can tell from my post. Sorry for the negativity. Thank you for your perspective, it does help. I strive to do my best, and thankfully do well on audits and productivity. I just long to spend my life serving, and this job drains me. Working on a solution though:)
This was so well said. What we focus on can make all the difference. There are times our circumstances do not allow us to change jobs, but rather then letting our circumstances rob us of joy we can find so much joy in serving others until we can change our circumstances. I have found that when I am truly focused on others, they feel that and in turn they have gone at of their way to help me. It’s a win, win!!
Loving this article. Thanks for sharing this, it made my day :)
Love this one, Joshua! Just as our lives are not perfect, neither is our work. Choosing to focus on the negative will only make us more displeased with our jobs. Let’s spread joy and appreciation for having the opportunity to work rather than spreading misery with bad attitudes. It’s a choice we make every day!
I am a retired computer programmer. We had little, if any, contact with the people who used our systems. That made it hard to feel like I was making someone’s day better since I had little to go by.
In the end it was just a way to make money, so I retired as early as I could.
There is so much truth in this article. I am a remote coder, and it is hard to find satisfaction in reading medical reports all day to make the hospital money. I have racked my brain to figure out how this helps people. I am alone all day so there is no way to help anyone by a “smile” or whatever. I try to do my best, but it gets me nowhere, very under appreciated. It seems to me the only reason I work is to earn a paycheck. While that is important, and I am thankful, this job and it’s pressures leave me feeling drained and not much good for anyone. For various reasons I see no way to make a change. So, each day I try to adjust my mindset and do the best I can.
Well, think of this – when you do your job well, claims gets submitted accurately, and when it gets submitted accurately, insurance is way more likely to approve it or at least process it in a timely manner. And when that happens, people get their bills resolved sooner. Yes, hospitals make money. But people with huge costs hanging over their head waiting to see if insurance will cover it can sleep at night in part because you’ve done your job well.
As someone who’s had stuff stuck on her hospital bill because things were coded incorrectly, then rejected by my insurance, and thus had to be totally resubmitted – a process that inexplicably took months to accomplish – I thank every person who can do their work in billing accurately and quickly, no matter how unglamorous it may seem. Because really, people getting bills from hospitals generally have enough stuff to worry about.
As a Christian, as book that has been very helpful in refining my perspective on work is Tim Keller’s “Every Good Endeavor”.
I am an ER RN. I see the purpose and gift of my profession. I have become so disheartened over last few years by the greed of corporations in healthcare. Nurses are still out here doing our best; I’ve been in the ER for 25 years, but now we are forced to do only the minimum for our patients due to to dangerously low staffing. We just aren’t given enough nurses to care for our patients safely. I still go to work with the same goals and mindset as I always have , but I leave feeling I have not only robbed the patients of what they needed, but I have been robbed, myself of the feeling of doing my job to the standards of which we were taught. I am at the point of leaving my profession in frustration. I feel I may be more fulfilled volunteering as a nurse, but earning a living at something that I would not feel compromises my integrity.
Leisa,
My primary doctor just left town to join a private practice in a much smaller city. She decided that corporate medicine(rushing through as many patients as possible) isn’t why she wanted to be a doctor.
I hope you are able to find something that works for you. We will always need good people to provide the kind of care that you want to give.
Best of luck in whatever your future holds.
I’m a supervisor at a grocery store and this is a big part of why I’m dissatisfied — intentional understaffing means I’m stretched way too thin, they want me to work miracles. So when someone says like in this article, to focus on other people… gets me a bit riled up because that is all I do and it is unappreciated and leaves me exhausted. I admire Joshua’s idealism and as always he’s a good writer, but humans have limits and employers like to push and manipulate them. Can’t serve from an empty cup.
Another thing which I think is crucial: taking pride in every piece of work you do and always trying to make it perfect. I’m currently working at a zoological research centre and am at the very bottom of the employees. But I am very meticulous about even the most menial tasks- even sweeping yards, cleaning out tanks of maggots, scrubbing food bowls and so on. My age means that all the jobs I’ve had have been fairly unglamorous and I have always had that attitude. It brings a surprising amount of satisfaction. There’s a sense of that having a wider impact.
http://www.rosieleizrowice.com
Interesting post. As someone who is always looking for the next opportunity and step forward, you raise some good questions to consider. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
I dunno, I think even working in fast food (giving people, in a hurry, a quick meal option) or garbage disposal (removing refuse) could find satisfaction from helping others.
It’s a great mindset change.
I honestly think it’s better to be selfish when it comes to work — when people love what they do, the benefit to others will follow, and our passion was given to us for a reason. Trying to talk ourselves into a position because it helps other people is a recipe for resentment, in my experience. I’m curious as to whether Joshua or other commenters have worked an entry level retail job and how you felt about it. Are we talking about the same experience here? Don’t get me wrong, I want to help people, but I find my stress at work and the feeling of being used overwhelms my attempt at altruism.
I think that it’s all about how you choose to show up. You may be the only smile/compliment that person receives that day.. and it was at your fast food take out window, of all places. Choose to be an ambassador of joy and watch how it turns your day and job outlook around. It has a way of snowballing.
Quite a few years ago, we were in the drive-thru @ a fast food restaurant, and the person on the other end was so polite-it was unusual and a delight. Our whole car complimented the lady for her kindness and great attitude, and we made her day. She said it is rare people are polite back to her, but she tries, and we made it worth it. I assure you people notice, and it shows you are better than they are if they are not as polite as you. Also they will wonder what you’re smiling about! :) Keep looking for a job that you will enjoy more even if it is still in retail, maybe it is something you enjoy doing. Do you enjoy helping people design and print books, buy books, buy clothing, make up?, do you love to make food look beautiful (bakery, caterer) etc…
I work as a technician in an art department in a school. It is very low pay and I spend a lot of time cleaning up after students which is not the best, but I also get to help them one to one every so often and have improved their grades with the work I’ve done with them – this is what keeps me in my job! I’ve worked in all sorts of jobs from waitressing to high end design and I have to say the jobs where I am helping people (like the one I have now) have been my most satisfying no matter what I’ve been paid for them.
I have worked at an entry level in retail. My first job was working at a Pamida discount store in North Dakota. Even there, I think the focus can be selfless (in fact, I even tried to include it in the original article). As an entry level employee at a discount retail store, I am providing opportunity for people to meet their needs in a cost-effective way. Retail stores (and the employees that operate them) are far more cost effective and convenient than every manufacturer attempting to sell directly to consumers. That is the service and the benefit you are providing to society. See your work as such. And in the long run, I think you will find even more passion to develop your skill.
I love this mind shift. Its simple and effective. Thank you, as always! I am a teacher and needed a mind shift as my summer closes in! ????
How does your work benefit others? That is a great question. It would be great if it were popular to ask that question when deciding on a profession. How much can I earn? This is the most popular question asked today.
Many people still choose the professions you mentioned that help people, like Doctor and Farmer but they choose for other reason than helping people. That may detract from your ability to be happy doing the job.