In Pursuit of Meaningful Work

Do you enjoy your work? From superior court judge to barista, bartender to CEO, we all need to feel productive, and most of us need to earn money to exchange for goods and services. But according to a 2014 report from the Conference Board, a New York-based nonprofit research group, more than half of workers are dissatisfied with their jobs.

Assuming a standard eight-hour day and 45 minutes getting ready for work, a commute of 30 minutes to three hours (!) and time to decompress at the end of the day, your job takes a lot more than just 40 hours. Essentially, a job we perform becomes our life. So how do we get to a place where it supports our health and well-being and we feel good about what we’re doing?

Start by asking yourself a few simple questions: What do I like? What do I like to do? What was I good at in elementary school? What am I good at now? Where would I like to spend a good portion of my day? What skill do I have that can be further developed, so I can turn it into a profession?

Now take it to the next level: What is my purpose in life, my dharmic destiny? What did I come here in a physical body to do?

If you limit your concern only to making money, you might succeed in breaking out of the rat race but that alone may not be enough to fulfill your dharmic destiny. Plus, as long as you’re spending the majority of your life, time and light at a job you don’t like, it’s inevitable your body will rebel. It’s probably no coincidence that the risk of heart attack is highest in the first three hours of the morning.

Finding your optimum daily work activity is something only you can do for you. It may take some time. You may not hit upon your ideal occupation right away. But if you have an attitude of willingness to learn and gratitude that you are able to pursue your own dream (impossible for many on this planet), that’s the first step.

It can only help to regularly take classes at a local college or online to expand your skills. H&R Block and the Small Business Administrations also offer trainings. Friends and family on your chosen path are a great resource and almost always willing to share, and there are many networking groups in L.A. There is no magic in finding the ideal occupation, but it’s easier to steer a car that’s moving than one that’s parked. The very act of seeking your ideal occupation and working toward it with a positive attitude can have a remarkable influence upon your overall mental and physical health.

One way to begin pursuing self-employment is to create an Excel worksheet or use a large sheet of paper and make six vertical columns. Then in the first column, vertically list all your skills, talents, interests and work experience. In the second and third columns list all the “pros” of each pursuit, and then all the “cons” of each pursuit. At this stage you might be able to eliminate some pursuits because the cons outweigh the pros.

In the next column, write how you might actually earn an income from each skill, talent or interest. Let it be a brainstorm—any ways you can think of to earn an income from each item on your list. Finally, check mark each skill, talent or interest that is at a level of competency where you could feasibly begin earning an income either right away or with some quick extra training. Finally, brainstorm about ways or places where you might be able to get information about doing that.

Money is neither good nor bad, but it does manage to permeate almost every area of our lives. Beyond our individual health and well-being, it’s also the number one argument-starter in relationships. So whether you are single or with a partner this Valentine’s Day, a meaningful gift to yourself or your significant other would be to figure out what truly makes you feel fulfilled.

Christopher Nyerges is the author of How to Survive Anywhere and Squatter in Los Angeles.

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