Comments on: A job does not give life meaning

By: Cynthia Dettman

Cynthia Dettman — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:06:17 +0000

Oh Penelope, I agree and disagree! I agree that happiness is an inside job, and that one's work is only a piece of life satisfaction. I also agree that workaholism is not good, and that too many are obsessed with work. But….. most of us spend 40 or more hours per week at work during the peak years of our lives. That's a heck of a lot of time to just be OK or moderately satisfied. I propose that passion and purpose ARE available at work, and that it's reasonable to pursue and expect a significant amount of meaning in one's job. At a minimum, let's encourage folks to seek this out, to leave jobs that are not satisfying, to change careers when they have not been able to create the purpose and meaning they want at work. OK, I confess, I was raised by a liberal missionary educator (gawk, it's embarrassing to admit the missionary part, but he really wasn't trying to convert anyone, honest) and have spent my life serving poor people, women and minorities in various roles- attorney, journalist, social worker, now career coach. So I was raised with a burning social ethic. Now, I see a world that is itself burning/suffering/going downhill. In my new practice as a career coach in Portland Or, I'm focusing on "make a difference" careers. I would love your comments on my new blog- yes, white haired 60 year olds are capable of learning new tricks! Cynthia blog.cynthiadettman.com

By: Penelope gives good advice « Work from the other side

Penelope gives good advice « Work from the other side — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:33:21 +0000

[...] “Work doesn't give your life meaning,” she says. “The idea that your happiness correlates to your satisfaction with your work is misguided. What you need from work is to make sure it's not undermining your ability to create sanity in your life. Work is a way to get sanity, to make sure you are growing and you feel secure while you do it. Here's what you need from a job to get that: [...]

By: Dan Wohlslagel

Dan Wohlslagel — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:49:00 +0000

Great Insights. I would recognize these as influential currents with the workplace, but not necessarily as permanent or ubiquitous. Our ideas about what is cosmically "right" is subject to change from generation to generation. Additionally- it takes no more than a single generation to forget what social conformity can make appear "real" in the present tense.

By: Vida – uma tarefa a ser cumprida. « Seja Feliz!

Vida – uma tarefa a ser cumprida. « Seja Feliz! — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:13:03 +0000

[...] Buscar a satisfação no trabalho ou um trabalho que nos satisfaça, é uma reflexão interessante que li no blog de Penelope Trunk. [...]

By: SoonToBeCollegeGrad

SoonToBeCollegeGrad — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:08:00 +0000

Sorry all but I can't totally agree with this article. I do agree that your job shouldn't consume your life but I do believe that it is an integral part of you. I know I would not be happy with a dead-end job that does nothing but pay the bills. Your job should contribute something to your life. Not everything, but something. But this is just my perspective. I actually want to do something with my job but at the same time not let it totally define me. Is my viewpoint compatible with this article?

Signed,
SoonToBeCollegeGrad

By: SoonToBeCollegeGrad

SoonToBeCollegeGrad — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:08:00 +0000

Signed,
SoonToBeCollegeGrad

By: Assech Omega

Assech Omega — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:30:21 +0000

Energy Psychology

This is really THE BEST!!!

By: Assech Omega

Assech Omega — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:24:35 +0000

Energy Psychology

This is really the BEST!!

By: Passionate contradictions | Helene Klungvik

Passionate contradictions | Helene Klungvik — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:19:29 +0000

[...] I go home from work, I couldn't care less about my job, except that I do care. I care about creating and working in a good environment, doing a good job. [...]

By: AH

AH — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:32:08 +0000

Thanks for the article. It is a real eye-opener…