Why do you work? The answer does not matter but the questioning process may help

June 6th 2024

Half or more of our waking time is spent at work or thinking about it.

But why do you work?' It is a fundamental question. A recent post by a senior leader about not retiring but rewiring triggered a thought . Adapting from this post, here is a potential a 3 modal mental model for all the heroes who work every day to find answers to this all important question.

Mode 1: Retire

In this mode, one executes and does what is expected of the role diligently and with integrity. Work is a practical realization to secure means and keep busy. Satisfaction comes from accomplishing one's sense of duty to others and or pursuing interests outside of work.

Mode2: Rewire

The rewire mode is in addition about being open, seeing issues, adapting and embracing change. Satisfaction comes from applying one's mind, experience, people connections in execution and finally being responsible for outcomes.

Mode 3: Rewrite

There is literally nothing at work today that is not facing disruptive change. In this mode, one senses problems, even before they are material, figure solutions from critical thinking and collaboration. Demonstrate agency to execute without being caught by inertia and bureaucracy. Fulfillment in rewrite comes making things happen for the sake of it as an expression of one's nature or by a deep desire to grow and be in the echelons of leadership.

A critical and honest self appraisal on what mode you are on, would surely yield happiness and positive energy, derived from pursuing your purpose, your identity and finding gratitude and contentment in life.

Select quotes to help you along:

1. The difficulty lies not in developing new ideas but escaping from old ones” -John Maynard Keynes.
2. If you don't know yet what (and why) you should work on, the most important thing is to figure it out. A busy calendar and a busy mind will destroy your ability to create anything great." Naval Ravikant ( Italics added mine for this context)
3. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Max Planck

Thank you for coming this far.

Be kind to yourself.

Share and comment if this can help others.

Thank you,

PS: Context and Sequel

40 days of quiet after 36 years of being part of rewrite at work. Now rewriting for self.

Cheers