Labor Day Celebrates Your Labor:
Perspectives on Why You Work

Historically, Labor Day was the celebration of the contributions that American workers made to benefit the social and economic strength, prosperity, and well being of our country.  Currently, it is a celebration of the last long weekend of the summer and a chance for families and friends to get together before the routine of school and work starts again.

I'd like to focus today on your labor.  How do you view your work? Do you enjoy the job you are doing?  Does it stimulate and enrich your life?  Does it excite you?  What motivates you to work?  Here are some of the reasons why Americans work:

For the Money:  Some of us are just in it for the money because we enjoy the prestige and power that the money gives us.  We may enjoy the job or not but it is definitely the money that is the key factor.

For Making a Difference:  There are those of us who place more focus on making a contribution to the world altruistically than on the monetary benefits.  We have a burning need to enrich the lives of others.  We need to know that we are contributing to something   greater than ourselves.

For Personal Satisfaction:  Some of us simply enjoy the work that we do because it brings joy to our lives.  We love what we do.  When this happens it means that our values and interests are in alignment with our goals.

For Companionship:  There are those of us who go to work because we enjoy the people we work with.  We feel like part of a community and we've built friendships with our colleagues.  We love being part of the team.

The bottom line is that we all work to bring in whatever we need, whether it is money, power, prestige, recognition, or companionship.  We work because it motivates us to get what we need and want.

So what if we aren't getting what we need and want from our jobs?  Spend some time analyzing the current job you have.  Is it in alignment with your values and interests?  Is it fulfilling your specific reasons for working?  If not, are there some minor adjustments you can make to align it (e.g. working a different schedule or less hours, working in a different department, asking for a raise)?  We all have frustrations with our jobs but if we have invested a lot of time into them it might be worthwhile to adjust them rather than search for a new one.  Consider carefully what your options are.

If you decide that you do want to change jobs consider whether you want to move to another job in the same field or to make a complete career change.  Making a career change can be scary but it can also be exciting.  You have a chance to design the life and work that you want.  Remember to take special care of yourself as you go through the decision-making process.  It is bound to stir up some feelings of fear and resistance.  These are normal.  Just go with the flow and trust your instincts, never stay stuck, and ask for help from your friend and coach.

The great resource I ever is Terri Levine's Work Yourself Happy: A Step-by-Step Guide To Creating Joy In Your Life And Work.  You can purchase it from her website at http://www.terrilevine.com/workyourselfhappy.htm.  The book was an Amazon bestseller in 2002 and once you read it you will see why.  Although it's only 106 pages, it’s filled with wisdom, warmth, encouragement, and hope.  Yes, you can design the life and work you love.  Terri shows you how.

If you would like some extra help in creating the life and work you love consider hiring a coach.  He or she will help you determine what it is that you want.  Then the two of you will co-create and design a plan for achieving your goals.  Your coach will help you measure your progress, make any adjustments that are necessary to keep you on track, and help you celebrate your success.

By the way, I work as a coach, trainer, and facilitator because I love what I do.  I thrive on helping my clients achieve their goals because when they do, I achieve mine!

When you really consider it, we spend most of our waking day working, getting ready for work, commuting to work, or thinking about work when we are not there.  Wouldn't you rather have a career that you enjoy, that stimulates your mind and spirit, and that supports your dreams and goals?  I thought so.  Take some time on this Labor Day to consider your options.  You deserve to have the life and work you love.

Happy Labor Day!

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Please call me at 802 229-5256 or e-mail me at jo@greenmountainlifecoach.com for a free conditional consultation and experience coaching first hand and find out whether we are a match for each other.