ARE YOU WORKING  TO LIVE  OR LIVING TO WORK?

Wait, before you answer the title of this article try answering these instead:  Am I excited about the future prospects of my career? Would I recommend my job to someone else? Is money the only reason I stay in my current job? Would I be happy if I continued working in my current job for the rest of my career?

If you answered “No, No, Yes, No” then the chances are you are working to live, if you answered the opposite combo of “Yes, Yes, No, Yes” then you’re living to work. If your answers were neither combo- life’s complicated and we get it. 

“Living to work” in other words working for the love of the job means you’ve  pursued a career that aligns with your passions and interests. You find your career fulfilling, rewarding, and meaningful. You’ve likely found a sense of purpose and satisfaction in your career. When you are passionate about your work, you are more likely to be committed to a pattern of continuous learning and growth, which in turn can lead to career advancement opportunities and meeting personal development goals and we love that for you!  As you forge a way forward be sure to share your insights and knowledge with those who follow in your footsteps. 

On the other hand, working to live means taking up a career based on how much you will be compensated. For some it’s about  financial stability, meeting financial obligations and  or a means to achieving long-term goals. Like we said earlier we get it, we all have bills to pay- LUKU, KUWSA and all the other bills don’t pay themselves and we “gotta do what we gotta do”, but  working to live can involve working long hours in jobs that are not necessarily fulfilling, it can also lead to job dissatisfaction, burnout, and stress to earn more money. 

Some argue that we should pursue our passions and do what we love, while others argue that it’s all about the money and the truth is, the answer isn’t straightforward, everyone’s entitled to their opinions and it depends on various factors, including personal values, lifestyle objectives, financial obligations, and career goals.

While it’s essential to strike a balance between the two, let’s be real- not everyone has the luxury of pursuing a dream job that pays well. Financial stability is essential, and sometimes, we have to make sacrifices to meet our financial obligations and achieve life goals. Some people may choose to take up a job that they don’t necessarily love but pays well to meet their financial goals while others may choose to take up a job that they love, even if it pays less.

Not that these two are mutually exclusive, but take a moment to consider if  you want to prioritize financial stability or if you want to prioritize job satisfaction.  There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s crucial to pursue a career that aligns with your values, desired lifestyle and goals. By doing so, you’re likely to be happier, more productive, and achieve long-term success and that’s what we want for you! 

You know what else we want? To hear from you! What’s your career story? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep this conversation going. Are you …living to work or …working to live?

By: Charlotte Makala