Words about Work
To introduce the subject of professions and careers, here are some inspiring quotes about the meaning of work.
Before you jump in, check out Mind Blown’s collection of professions that no longer exist, occupations that are only now beginning to appear, and future careers that we can only imagine now.
There’s a quote attributed to John Lennon — “When I was five years old, my Mom told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.” That fits well with the advice Confucius gave us: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Similarly, Katharine Whitehorn tell us to “Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.”
For a purposeful line of work, Albert Camus writes: “Without work, all life goes rotten, but when work is soulless, life stifles and dies.”
Work can also be a central channel for self-expression. As the philosopher Bernard Williams said: “If there’s one theme in all my work, it’s about authenticity and self-expression. It’s the idea that some things are, in some real sense, really you.” According to renowned chef Anthony Bourdain: “Practicing your craft in expert fashion is noble, honorable and satisfying.”
Our careers can also be a great way for us to influence on the world. Robin Sharma teaches us that “Influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire teammates and customers.” And Stephen Hawking suggests: “Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it.”
Our work should always be meaningful. As Fyodor Dostoyevsky said — “Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence.” Mahatma Gandhi implores us to dedicate ourselves to a cause — “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
One last piece of wisdom (for now) comes from legendary football coach Bill Belichick, who is often quoted as saying: “Do Your Job!” In that, he might mean — being prepared, working hard and paying attention to the details. What do you think he means?
