Do you ever wake up in the morning and question the value of getting out of bed and going to work?
What motivates you to rise? An appointment at the gym with a trainer? The thought of your upcoming mortgage payment? Your credit card statement? Your child’s tuition? Or perhaps you are a member of the exclusive club: The 20% of employees in the U.S. who are passionate about their work!

Why do we work?

Here’s a somber reality: On most days, we may work primarily because of what we want and need, not because we are motivated to give. Therefore, as we punch the clock, we begrudgingly carry out our tasks, offer no more than is required, and rarely pause to remember that organizations come and go, but our impact lives on after our time. But there is no need to wallow in shame because of this oversight! Who can blame us?

With the advent of high-tech, our lives move at lightning speed, and we alter them within seconds. With the push of a button, we buy new homes, relocate to new states or countries, change doctors, switch jobs, make new friends, and lose some, often without taking a beat. Then at some point, likely when we are troubled, we reflect on the heart-stopping double-barreled question: What is the impact of my life, and what am I creating by living?

Searching for meaning

This question is at the crux of our quest in life. It urges us to know who we are and ponder the value of our days, months, and years. Importantly, it reminds us that a day at work is not merely a compilation of activities, annoyances, smirks, and smiles. Work is an integral part of our lives. And leading a life worth living requires making a positive impact in both grand acts and seemingly inconsequential ones. Sounds simple, but it’s not easily attainable because work is hard. It requires patience.

Patience is the ability to persist in the face of difficulty and ensure that our use of time is purposeful, not dormant. To be patient, we must realize that although we do not know when our worthwhile efforts will yield a harvest, they will. With this mindset, like a good farmer, we face adversity, but we press on. We grow, we succeed, and sometimes we fail. But when we do, we learn. Nevertheless, despite our best efforts, there always comes a time when we get tired and wonder, How long?

The ultimate question and worthwhile reason

Yes. How long am I willing to wait, and give while waiting? – This is the question those committed to leading an impactful life ask themselves and contend with. Here, the story of the creators of Superman, Siegel and Schuster, gives us a clue. They created a masterpiece: the character of Superman, which has inspired millions over generations and generated billions of dollars, yet they only received $130 for their work. Their story teaches us that the worth of our work can be immense, but we may not see, feel, or receive acknowledgment for its full effect in our time. Therefore, as we labor, we must remember that ideas evolve, people move on, but one’s impact lives on. And this is a worthwhile reason to work!

For you and to you,
Aké

Image credit: Pexels | Cottonbro Studio