We've Got a Problem. Everybody Hates Work.

No, people aren't lazy. People have a need to work, to serve, and to contribute.

They don't hate working. They hate work—the institution of work.

Why? Why do so many of us hate work life? Why do so many complain about bad bosses, inflexible work schedules, and banal corporate meetings? Why do so many of us feel frustration and tension when we go to the physical or virtual office each day?

Spoiler alert: I don't have the answer. But let's explore some ideas together.

Economic Obligation

One critical aspect of this resistance to the institution of work is that people are economically forced to do so. Even if one can technically survive on a welfare system, that subsistence living is no crown of glory. It's usually not enough, and even when it is, it's still extremely limiting in terms of what you can do in life. Vacations? Nope. Nights out eating and drinking with friends? Nope. Traveling around the world? Also nope.

Maybe those are luxuries—but not so much in well-developed countries or urban cities. Our expectations are set by our social circle. If you go to Harvard Business School, you better believe you'll come out with money and status dysmorphia. Everyone and their daddies are aiming for hedge fund billionaire status, so if you're not aiming at least for tens of millions, what are you even doing? Your expectations get set at a different bar.

Social Circles and the Institution of Work

So there's a problem of social circles setting expectations that can only be satisfied by making lots of money. And then there's the institution of work itself—an obligation many of us don't want to tend to (at least in its current form). What else?

We're usually not doing work that we find meaningful. Moving pixels on a screen for a bank? Not meaningful. Corporate meetings politicking about what content management system the company uses? Not meaningful.

Sure, we can infer meaning from seemingly meaningless procedures. Maybe choosing the right system for the company will make hundreds of people's lives a little easier in the long run. Maybe it will save the company money, allowing it to budget more for its social good arm. Maybe with a capital M.

Observability, Impact, and Meaning

The trick is probably more about whether the work we do has an impact on someone that we can see or some sort of connection we can feel. Maybe being a barista isn't meaningful in itself—but when you frame it as making everyone's morning better with a great espresso pull, latte art, and a smile, the job doesn't seem so meaningless after all. You're making an observable difference in people's everyday lives.

So—observability, impact, and connection are some features that make work more tolerable by making it more meaningful. Another huge component of meaning is life purpose.

Life Purpose and Work Alignment

Not all of us have defined a life purpose for ourselves—but those who have are able to direct their lives in a more streamlined way because they have a reference point and a goal post. If the work aligns with our life purpose, bingo—we've got a meaning jackpot that makes the drudgery and BS of work more tolerable.

My life purpose is to support my family and send my kids to college. OK, a lot easier to tolerate your nasty boss when you know you're doing it for your kids.
My life purpose is to help end world hunger. OK, a lot easier to know which jobs to pick.
My life purpose is to bring healing to the world. Great, don't work for Marlboro.

That said, it's not so easy even with a life purpose. We have human material needs, and many jobs that align with a life purpose don't necessarily pay the bills to meet your basic needs or reasonable desires. Let's say it's a reasonable desire to live in a 2-bedroom apartment in NYC in a safe neighborhood with local amenities like coffee shops, good restaurants, and community spaces. Well, good luck doing that without a finance or tech job. And if that's your life purpose, you've hit the jackpot.

Different Problems at the Top

Almost all my friends complain about work in some form or another. Rich, autonomous, highly sought-after folks at the top of the career ladder have a different set of problems—but those friends are not the ones I usually hear complaining about work. They may be overworked, or they may be floundering a bit for meaning, but being at the top of the totem pole gives options that ease the stress. And at a certain point, a financial cushion removes the obligation to work (though I still think it's healthier to work on something than on nothing).

A Healthier Shift Toward Meaning

Beyond political solutions like UBI or some socialist system, a broader change may come from within.

Until a societal shift occurs where work is drastically redefined or automated, the best solution may be personal. The healthier shift is an internal one—finding meaning in the work, even if it's small. Amplify that meaning. Focus on the day's tasks. If your current work isn't fulfilling, explore other options. It might take time, but there are roles and environments where your work can feel meaningful.

While we may not solve the work problem overnight, embracing flexibility, seeking roles aligned with personal values, and reframing how we view our work are steps toward making the experience more fulfilling.

What can we do to shift our relationship with work? We can start small, cultivate purpose, and keep searching for the kind of work that fits our values. And in that process, perhaps work won't feel like such a burden after all.