What is it that motivates us to do what we do? What are we chasing after?

Why do people do this and others do something else?

Some work to earn money. Others work harder even though they don't need to earn as much.

When the only motivation to go to work is to earn money and somehow survive, it will destroy you. I mean psychologically. It simply exhausts you, even if the work itself isn't that exhausting. Or at least I would feel that way. I understand that for some it's a necessity, you have to go to work because we have to live on something. But wouldn't it be better to think about it more as a whole? What does our activity lead to? When we work somewhere in a factory, we're probably making something, right? Like all of us together. And what's it for? Will that product help someone/something?

If the work itself doesn't satisfy you, why not do it in an environment that does? Maybe somewhere on the road!

Find Meaning in Your Actions in Everything

Let's focus on the meaning of our work. When I worked as a cleaner for example, someone might also take it as menial work. But at the place where it was, no one perceived me that way. People in the hotel smiled at me, sometimes stopped and wanted to chat. At the beginning I felt like someone doing the worst thing, the one at the end of that whole chain. But when you take it as a whole, actually the guests' satisfaction depended on my work. How they'll enjoy their vacation, those few days of the year they look forward to all year at work! And with this thought it was much easier to work. And more with joy. Through this activity I'm actually making people happy! And I was "just" a cleaner.

And imagine what our company is like? We make something that makes others' lives easier. Whether it's household appliances, medicines, or paper. It doesn't matter!

And what about those who don't actually need to earn much but still work more than anyone else? You know, when a person reaches a certain financial threshold and earns extra, that money loses the value of need. Then they think about it in a completely different dimension. Does it even make sense? Does that work have some higher goal? Will it help someone? Or am I just digging here, wasting a lot of time and the only thing I get from it is a little money. Then it's usually not worth it for those people. But when they find work that seems meaningful to them, why not dedicate more time to it? And when they still gain lots of new experiences?

Fulfill Yourself, Have Fun and Even Earn From It!

For some their work becomes a hobby, so why not dedicate to it even the time we usually dedicate to our hobbies? When we sum it up now, it's no wonder they're actually workaholics! Their work simply enjoys them.

Sometimes long walks full of talking and sharing thoughts are needed for a person to figure out what will follow.

And now to that question, what is our goal? To leave something behind? That's probably how most people feel and find it either in family or work. As a bonus let's add that the work should be enjoyable - be our hobby, that it earns me enough money for living so I don't have to deal with it, and all of it wouldn't work without being good at it, right?

Ideal! And it all really makes sense. The Japanese call this principle IKIGAI. And those who discover their ikigai live longer and happier lives. Well, wouldn't you want that too? I definitely would, just the search is taking me a bit of effort! But let's take it that even the journey can be the destination. :)