There are some people who choose minimalism as a means to escape work. While I understand the appeal, I am not one of them.
I enjoy work. I find happiness and joy in it. And I believe, without a doubt in my mind, those who feel the most fulfilled at the end of their lives are those who have chosen to work hard during it.
Now, just to be clear, I am not advocating to be busy just to be busy. I am advocating for the importance of doing your work (whether paid or unpaid) in a focused and deliberate way, putting your whole self into it. Doing the best you can, to accomplish the most you can, with the one life you’ve got.
But if one has chosen minimalism as a lifestyle, where do we find the motivation for working hard? After all, if we are content to own less (even prefer it), what is the point of hard work and striving for success?
If the goal of work isn’t to earn more and more money so we can buy bigger and bigger houses and fancier and more expensive cars, then what’s the point? If we’ve chosen to measure life’s success in more important terms than material possessions, why would we choose to continue working hard?
There are, actually, countless reasons.
Consider these seven, just to get started:
1. Work forces personal development.
Work, by its very nature, presents challenges and growth opportunities. It requires us to improve and develop and become better versions of ourselves. The more we grow, the better at work we get… and the greater the challenges become.
2. Our work brings benefit to society.
Our work contributes to the good of society. It serves others, it enriches peoples’ lives, and it moves everyone forward. Whether we are bagging groceries, delivering mail, analyzing stocks, curing cancer, or managing other workers, we can view our work as an act of love to the people we serve.
3. Hard work is an example to our kids.
When we strive to do our best work each day, our kids take notice. And among the greatest character traits I hope to pass on to my children is the importance of working hard on things that matter.
4. Work hard at work to work hard at life.
We learn important life lessons when we give ourselves over to hard work: determination, attentiveness, responsibility, problem-solving, and self-control all come to mind. These lessons, in turn, serve us in other areas (health, relationships, hobbies, etc.).
5. Work hard to make the most of your hours. They will pass anyway.
Each new day brings with it an important choice: either we fill it with our best or we allow it to slip away. There is no other option—the hours are going to pass anyway. Choosing to work hard makes the most of them. Please note: I am not discounting the importance of rest or balance—I have written about both extensively.
6. Work is fulfilling, in and of itself.
In my opinion, there are few joys in life more satisfying than laying down at night with tired legs attached to a tired body. To know I gave my full energy to something important is an amazing feeling and fulfilling in itself.
7. Working hard keeps our lives occupied with important matters.
Living an unoccupied life is a recipe for disaster. Choosing to fill our time and energy with things that bring value to others helps keep us from selfish and foolish decisions with idle time.
There is value in hard work and minimalism does not remove the inherent value of it. In my opinion, it brings its inherent value in sharper focus.
But, Joshua, I hate my job and find no value in it. What would you say?
Before ending this post, allow me to briefly speak to those of you disengaged at work—those who no longer find any joy in your specific role and want nothing more than to escape it.
I understand that not every job is enjoyable and feeling motivated to work hard comes easier to someone who looks forward to punching in the clock each morning (or evening). Sometimes, we are required to do work we do not enjoy. If that’s you, please remember, your enjoyment (or unenjoyment) of work does not diminish the inherent value in it.
If you are working a job you hate to provide for your family, you are doing a noble thing and should be commended. And working hard at it, in the place you are today, is your most important step out of it.
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Please add to this conversation in the comment section below. What other reasons to work hard should be added to the list?
About Joshua Becker
I bought the magazines of the minimalist but I got no email confirmation and I so no know how to access them. Could you please help me with this. I want to see what I can do to become a minimalist and see what I actually did put put on. Thank you so much
In Spain we say “not working is the mother of all vices”
Oh my! What a great revelation of linking Hard Work and Minimalism. I shed some tears reading this article as I totally agree with the 7 points you mentioned. Sometimes, I think people do not work hard, but they work blindly and overlook the impact of working hard, which leads them to burnout. Grateful for this!
Thank you so much for writing this wonderful little piece. The last paragraph was especially striking for me. It literally felt like you were speaking straight to me, in a moment of need, I’ve found incredible strength from your writing. For that I can’t say thank you enough!
Excellent writing!
You are completely right, no lasing benefit to mankind is achieved without hard work. Hard work always brings new opportunities.
And what of those of us who cannot work through disability? What worth do we have?
I am new to your writing and so perhaps I have missed something, but it appears to be self-referencing with propositions and terminology.
What is work?
Intentional and value-producing behavior is what I think you are trying to advocate for, yet the usage of ‘work’ appears to be referring to some form of employment. What if a person is employed in such a way that they do not believe it to be value-producing? What if a person does commit their value to the economy? What if their behavior is valuable to them and not others to varying degrees?
Ambiguity is not the same as being generic. Define your abstracts with clear boundaries.
Work smarter, not always harder.
You’re speaking of Work Ethic. It’s so important and sadly I see so many young people who just don’t get it.
I recently retired. I did work hard for the money, and not ashamed to admit it. Because that money has allowed me to retire early and have enough savings that I can now use my time for volunteering. I have also been financially supporting some family members for quite some time. Focus, and goals.
I am still in the early stage of my profession. It’s like a new journey which requires me to have growth mindset and determination to the work. Thank you for the article!
I worked for over thirty years in one company from entry level to running the place and for most of that it was great fun and very fulfilling but I do believe that working a 9 to 5 until old age, if you have no more need for the money, is not noble unless you feel it is a calling to serve others. During the last couple of years at work when they were literally throwing money at me I still decided it was time for a change. Now I work as a consultant about two days a week and on a volunteer basis chair a college board and a large charity organization as well as several other volunteer roles. I consider myself mostly unemployed and get to play a lot more tennis, catch more fish and hike more (all of those with my sporty wife). And I get to blog purely for fun and to pass on what little old guy wisdom I might have, if any. I have turned down several offers to return to 9 to 5 jobs, some for outrageously large compensation but I do not need or want any more money so the mix of gigs and volunteering seems to be a good mix of staying productive while serving others. Some weeks though I have a two day work week and a five day weekend, and to tell you the truth once in awhile that feels kind of nice!
I like the article. I think Joshua is just trying to encourage balance. Although some places of employment require more and we do get over worked at times, there is still benefit. Even with not liking our job there is benefit. Self discipline, perseverance, to mentioned n a couple. Also, what is the point in not working? I cannot appreciate vacation without work, I cannot appreciate the weekend without work, work was given to us in the beginning when Adam was told to care for the garden, name the animals, etc. Work is a gift. I do not always like my job, I do not like working over time, I do not like working weekends, but my work provides for my family and when I go to work I go to do my best and get it done. I do not strive for perfection, but excellence, and I feel excellent when I leave work knowing I e done my best like it or not.
I would like to add something to your article…
In the rare cases where a disability does not allow you to work (or at least not without extreme tiredness and physical pain), hard work is not fulfilling, nor is it useful since it is autodestructive.
People who are without a job for other reasons should not think less of themselves either, because value can be found in many other things than work: for example, pursuing some personal development by reading or studying at home, learning a new language, creating art and enjoyment for others… and just being a good person. I find it important to mention this for it is often forgotten in our all-work-culture.
Thank you!
To me, the main incentive and benefit for working hard while simplifying my life/reducing expenses is that it allows me to use the surplus to bless others in need. Or better yet, to be able to work less hours so I have time to volunteer. Time is the most precious commodity and using it to serve others is the greatest joy.
The greatest thing about minimizing my lifestyle, debt and expenses has been being able to cut back on my work hours. I work hard and have a demanding job that drains the life out of me when I work too many hours. It took 3 years to get prepared for the transition and now i go to work happy and energized and grateful for this time in my life.
Thank you for the defense of work. I especially like #6 “work is fulfilling, in and of itself”. Prior to the pursuit of minimalism, my mind while working drifted to “what will this deal allow me to buy?”, “what is the next promotion I can attain?”, etc. Perhaps it was external motivation. Now, learning to say, “enough”, I listen and work to serve my customer as an end in itself.
Work to make life better for others
I don’t want and I don’t need buuuuut I love working to give
I believe more people should read this post. Millennials are growing and becoming addicted to social media platforms that are advertising an easy life with big profits. Don’t know what will happen in the future but we might as well need robots to have someone actually working.
Usually the people exhorting me to work hard have an ulterior motive. The boss trying to squeeze more work out of a fixed salary or a politician trying to egg on the economy.
Personally I prefer to be a bit of an idler, I will enjoy a cup of tea in my garden or a long afternoon stroll with no purpose.
Too much industry gives us polluting cars, noisy planes, plastic toys, addictive social media, junk food, empty blog posts. Mostly we need to slow down a bit.
Blaise Pascal said “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
I have found that the “hardest” and most gratifying work is that for which I am not paid, including raising a child and supporting and leading non profit organizational efforts as a volunteer. Ironically, my highest paying and highest status positions have been the least gratifying and, in the end, the least significant when it comes to making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
I LOVE this article! I have always loved to work, and now that I’m retired, I get to work doing meaningful things. Work makes my heart sing, along with play, rest, relaxation, creation. Thanks for a beautiful article!
Valerie- I just want to say that if a person has had to work in an emotionally abusive and interpersonally toxic work environment for years to support one’s family because of no/limited opportunities to go elsewhere, then I believe yes, it is a noble thing to do. That was my situation for two years at one point before I was able to make a job change – both for my physical and emotional health. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my adult life. I got depressed, despondent – barely hung on before I got another opportunity. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Working hard is also biblical. God gave work to Adam even before the beginning of sin. I needed to be reminded of this! Parenting young children is hard work every day but it is noble and good. I should be happy that I can go to bed at night tired from a long day of pouring myself out for others. I know there are many people who tend to be overworkers but I am not one of them, so I enjoyed this article.
Yes! Along with prayer, love, compassion, respect, forgiveness and wholesome recreation, work helps build strong marriages and families.
It depends on what one considers success. The only success is being who you are and living the kind of life you desire. This has nothing to do with money, because we all should know by now that beyond basic needs money/possessions don’t bring happiness. I don’t find working a job one hates just to be a provider a noble thing. Life is about happiness and balance. A strong work ethic is good, just so long as a healthy attitude is taken towards it.
Nice response…thank you
Fantastic insight Joshua! My wife and I have three young children and one of the mantras we say repeatedly in our house is “Work is good!”. This means homework, chores, excercise, and someday a career. We have also been taking steps towards minimalism ever since we came across your work about four years ago. Thank you for the insight and inspiration! I will be reading this post with my family.
Thank you for this post. I am embracing a simplified life now that I am retired. But, I honestly miss the work of housekeeping. Being fairly new to this lifestyle I struggle with my desire to be “busy.”
Your article gave validation to my finding “work” to do, be it at home or in helping others. It truly adds meaning to my days.
Beautiful Post, Thank You!
I have had various jobs over decades of work and not all of it was enjoyable. Looking back, however I have the satisfaction of knowing I did what was asked of me. Consider looking at your work history as a body of work. A legacy if you will. Not just today’s effort; this particular job you must do now. Also, if you don’t enjoy your work, and feel you cannot leave it, do it better! Invest in your work and you may find more satisfaction. I have, at times, expressed gratitude for work that was challenging for me; in the midst of the tension an ancient greeting will come to me, “Blessings on the work!” and I might smile…
To those brave souls who work at jobs they hate to support their families, I believe one of the blessings of becoming minimalist (and I am barely a few steps in…) is that it means you can consider jobs that pay less while STILL supporting yourself… I have been working 20+ years and am a single income, and will be going to school part time and eventually full-time and then start an unpaid internship before taking a job that pays 30% of what I’m earning now but to which I am truly called, and it is my move towards minimalism that is allowing me to do this.
I’m fortunate to work for the state in an agency that benefits children. I left the private sector, where I was paid more, because I “fit” better in a workplace where the goal is not maximizing profits. This article articulates many of the reasons why I’m not planning my retirement, even though I could. I’d add that working opens your world to other people, your colleagues and consumers, that might otherwise not cross your path.
I love your points concerning the benefits of hard work. My favorites are work forces personal development. Work brings benefit to society.
Last but not least the fact that someone may not enjoy a particular type of work does not diminish the inherent value in it. Thanks.
Great post – Minimalism is not about escaping work. It is about creating the financial flexibility to choose your life’s work.
I think this is an important post. Minimalism is not about escaping work. It is about creating the financial flexibility to choose your life’s work.
This article has been very interesting reading. I particularly like the part – if not happy in job or what you are doing currently – that is noble. Working hard in it today is most positively your way out of it – food for thought for the future -Thank you
I think that most minimalists don’t chose minimalism in order to escape work. I think they do it to be able to chose work that is meaningful to them (be it paid or unpaid work).
I believe that most people know that to be engaged in meaningful activities and projects that contribute to a greater good is very important. It’s probably essential if one wants to feel happy and fulfilled.
But… the truth is that in today’s society it is hard to find a job like that. People are overworked, stressed out, and frequently working at something that has no meaning to them or is even in contradiction with their values.
Most people are already working very hard. So, to be honest, I don’t think they need to be reminded that working hard is important. What they need is some breathing space and even to feel that it’s OK not to work so hard.
Well said, I see the consequences of this in my self and people around me all the time.
Yes, me too. To be honest, almost everyone around me is overworked and alienated. Ideally, we should do meaningful work, in the right amount. I don’t like the term “hard work” – I don’t think it should be “hard”, it should be “right”.
I agree. I think doing the “right” work, makes you want to work hard at it. I will lose myself in the right work, and feel very fulfilled after. Less so when filling out forms…
It’s the individuals responsibility to find right work. Until then we have to buckle up and do what has to be done.
Retired people have a lot of time on their hands and they need to feel as though they have a purpose and are contributing something to the community. This doesn’t have to be “hard work.” The perfect kind of “work” results in a win win situation where both parties- the giver and the receiver – benefit from the interaction.
Hey, thanks for the article. For the ones unhappy at work, they could find the happiness in extra – work : at home – hobby, for the community, gym work. Anything that makes you better at something every day
Working hard brings meaning to our lives and a sense of purpose.
Very wise words. I agree that the philosophy of minimalism is generally not to buy more and more duplicates.
However we know that there are oftentimes things that have to be repaired or replaced. And most of the time these replacements cost a lot more than what they are replacing! I’m mainly referring to things like vehicles and household appliances. So working to earn and save for these situations is a healthy thing. My husband and I are retired, and doing volunteer work is especially rewarding for us.
Can you add a share option to LinkedIn?
So many of your articles are applicable to the professional world (Especially this one!)
Thos little share buttons are used to track you across the web, horrible things.