Why We Work: A Journey Through Maslow, Cal Newport, and Harari

We wake up. We get dressed. We show up at work. Day after day, we repeat this routine. But why? What drives us to keep at it, even when tired or frustrated? Work is not just about paying the bills. It’s a deeper pursuit. In this article, we’ll explore how our core motivations link back to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, how Cal Newport’s ideas shape our approach to skill-building, and how Yuval Noah Harari’s historical insights show us that we’re wired to do more than survive.

We’ll look at everything from the safety we crave to the quest for meaning that lights our fire. We’ll see that the human mind is a fascinating blend of ancient instincts and modern ambitions. By the end, we’ll discover new ways to connect with our work. We’ll also get a few simple steps to help spark more fulfillment and curiosity in our professional lives.

The Foundation of Our Motives: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who mapped out our needs like a giant pyramid. At the base, we find our physiological needs: food, water, and rest. Above that, we seek safety: shelter, stability, and a sense of security. Then comes love and belonging—our drive to connect with others and be part of a group. After that, we look for esteem: the respect and recognition that lift our confidence. Finally, at the very top, we aim for self-actualization. That’s where we chase growth, creativity, and purpose.

At that top level—self-actualization—people often discover a deeper sense of service. They go beyond personal gain and actively seek to improve the workplace for everyone around them. They might volunteer for employee networking groups or step up to lead diversity and inclusion projects. Some champion initiatives that give back to the broader community, host fundraisers, or mentor new hires. In short, they find joy in uplifting others, not just themselves.

These same layers show up in how we choose and experience our work. When we feel shaky about our job, we cling to the lower levels. We want to ensure our bills get paid. But once that’s settled, we look higher. We want to fit in, be respected, and find meaning in what we do. This path is rarely a smooth escalator ride. Sometimes, we slip back to worrying about security. Other times, we catch a glimpse of that top level and get a burst of motivation.

Seeing these levels helps us spot where our current job might be falling short. Do we feel unsafe? Undervalued? Lacking connection? Or are we eager for something bigger? A small spark of awareness can be enough to encourage that next step—maybe we join a project we’re excited about, or we ask our manager for new challenges. By moving up the pyramid, we uncover the deeper “why” behind our routine.

From Cavemen to Office Workers: Insights from Sapiens

Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens paints a vivid picture of our history. For most of our existence, we hunted animals, gathered roots and berries, and roamed wherever nature led us. We didn’t clock in or obsess over spreadsheets. Yet the core motivations were much the same. We wanted safety, belonging, and respect within our tribe. We worked to survive.

Civilizations grew, cities rose, and trade blossomed. We got new titles, offices, and meeting rooms, but our basic drives endured. We still seek security. We still want to fit in. We still look for ways to stand out. Harari’s key insight is that human culture—and everything from money to religion to corporations—is a story we collectively believe in. Work is a big part of that story. Instead of chasing mammoths, we chase promotions or strive to create the next viral product.

This broad view can be both humbling and inspiring. We’re building on ancient instincts every time we show up to work. Our ancestors had to contribute to the tribe. So do we—though now it might be with quarterly reports or code commits instead of sharpened spears. When we realize this, work becomes part of a grand timeline. We’re just the latest chapter in a very old tale, doing our best to thrive.

The Call for Mastery: Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Cal Newport challenges the common advice about following your passion. He suggests that true passion often shows up after you become really good at something. In other words, skill leads to passion, not the other way around. He calls this the “craftsman mindset”—focusing on doing great work before obsessing over how your work makes you feel.

This shift lines up well with Maslow’s top layers. Once you lock down the basics of comfort and security, you look for esteem and a sense of purpose. Excellence brings both. When you’re awesome at your job, people notice. They respect you. They reward you. You might even feel a spark of genuine passion because mastery feels good.

But mastery isn’t easy. It takes deliberate practice, patience, and sometimes a willingness to power through drudgery. For instance, if you’re learning to code, you’ll face bugs that drive you nuts. Or if you’re honing your leadership skills, you’ll make awkward mistakes in meetings. You keep at it because you sense progress. Over time, you become indispensable. That’s when passion can flourish—once you feel valuable and see how your effort matters.

Mapping Ancient Instincts to Modern Careers

Life in the prehistoric savanna feels worlds away from modern cubicles, but some parts haven’t changed. Back then, tribe members specialized in tasks: hunting, gathering, or tracking. That specialization helped them thrive. Today, we join specialized teams, too. Some of us code, some design, some lead, and some sell. It’s still a group effort aimed at success and survival, just with coffee machines instead of campfires.

In the modern workplace, we also chase esteem and belonging. We want colleagues to appreciate our work. We want to feel that we add something unique. One powerful sign of recognition is a promotion. Getting promoted feels like a personal victory, an acknowledgment that our hard work and growth are paying off. But that satisfaction doesn’t stop at our promotions. We also get a boost when the people we manage climb the ranks or when our boss moves up—because it validates the entire team’s contributions. Seeing coworkers or leaders advance can remind us that we’re part of something bigger and that our collective efforts matter.

We also crave growth. We want to become better versions of ourselves, whether by taking on new responsibilities or exploring new technologies. This is how we push toward the top of Maslow’s pyramid. We’re not just paying rent; we’re seeking a sense of mastery and purpose. Psychology calls it “flow” when we’re so immersed in our work that we lose track of time. The project becomes both a challenge and a joy. That’s when work stops feeling like “just a job” and starts feeling like a calling.

The Pull of Purpose

Purpose is like a secret ingredient that makes everything taste better. It’s the fuel that gets us out of bed on cold mornings. It’s the friendly voice in our head that says, “Keep going,” when the workload piles up. Purpose bridges our inner desire for meaning and the outer demands of society. It’s also a by-product of mastery. When you’re good at something and see its impact, you feel that rush of significance.

But purpose can be tricky. A teacher might not just see themselves as someone who covers the syllabus. Instead, they see the spark in a student’s eye when a concept finally clicks. That spark keeps them going. A startup founder might slog through endless product revisions but is driven by the hope of changing an industry. The more you link your daily tasks to a bigger goal, the stronger your motivation grows.

Of course, purpose doesn’t arrive on a silver platter. Sometimes you find it by accident. Sometimes it creeps in after years of steady work. Often, it appears when you focus on mastering a skill or solving a real problem. As you refine your craft and see how it helps others, you realize your work has meaning. That’s when you go from “I have a job” to “I have a mission.”

Small Steps to Love Your Work (Actionable List)

1. Identify Tiny Projects That Excite You. Pick a small, low-risk task that looks fun or interesting. Use it as a sandbox to learn or experiment. You’ll feel a quick hit of motivation and might discover a new passion in the process.
2. Set a Skill-Building Routine. Carve out a bit of time each day—maybe 15 minutes—to focus on improving one specific skill. Consistency adds up. Soon you’ll notice progress that sparks even more interest.
3. Seek and Use Feedback. Don’t hide from critiques. Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review your work. Their insights help you improve faster. When you see yourself getting better, your love for what you do often grows.
4. Connect with a Broader Mission. Step back and ask, “Who benefits from my work?” Write down the ways your efforts help others. This simple exercise can transform mundane tasks into contributions that feel meaningful.
5. Embrace the Craftsman Mindset. Focus on creating quality. Shift your question from “What can my job do for me?” to “How can I deliver great work?” This small change can have a big impact on how you handle challenges and find satisfaction.

A Constant Evolution

Work is more than just a paycheck or a to-do list. It’s where our age-old instincts meet our modern ambitions. Maslow’s pyramid explains why we start with simple survival and move toward big dreams. Harari reminds us we’re part of a long human story, one that thrives on collaboration and shared goals. Cal Newport shows how excellence can spark passion and give our work new life.

We clock in every day because we want stability, respect, and a sense of purpose. We aim to grow our skills, build connections, and leave a mark on the world around us. Our individual paths might differ, but the drives beneath them are deeply human and surprisingly ancient.

So the next time you’re staring at your inbox or pacing your living room before yet another video call, remember: you’re tapping into instincts millions of years old. You’re also building something new. With a bit of skill-building and a sense of meaning, work can become far more than a routine—it can become a grand adventure, shaped by your own hands, mind, and spirit.