I think it’s not what you do, what you make or your work that’s important or brings meaning. It’s a trap, it’s an unsustainable mindset to equate the value of my work or job being equal to the value of who I am. The mindset may provide ambition, growth, desire, upward drive but it is a scarcity mindset that creates and pushes competition that can leave behind a wake of broken spirits and promotes the mentality “only the fittest survive”. But how does one function practically in this environment, someone that doesn’t want to encourage or play into the competition, but has to or wants to be in the “game”.
I believe the real value of work is being able to bring yourself into what you do. The amalgam of all your experiences, insight, curiosity, creativity and perspective to bring together what you do, the way only you can do it. Whatever the job is, even with its limitations, constraints, under-appreciation, under-valued, unfitting, dissatisfaction, there’s always a bit of you that you can be. Maybe it’s generosity, humility, creativity, insight, process, efficiency, organization, camaraderie, communication, gratitude, openness, balance, patience… Whatever “That” is, it’s important and it matters. Even if no one sees it, even if no one recognizes it, even if no one acknowledges it. The value is in the value. The value is in staying true. The value is in being you. People feel it. It’s the value of the individual to the whole but not for validation, affirmation or acknowledgment – that can never be satisfied or fulfilled. The value is intrinsic, it can never be taken away and never given by others.
Whatever work you’re doing, even if it’s not the “right” work for you now, keep staying true, keep bringing yourself to the work without expectation, without a results-oriented mindset, value the intrinsic, humility, openness and the right work will find you, in a way that will be more fulfilling, worthwhile, satisfying, provide openness, growth and challenge in ways that you would’ve never imagined.