What's your work life like?
Creating a better way to work on this Labor Day
I hope you had a marvelous day grilling, going to the beach, or just spending the day with family and friends and hopefully, not at work today.
Sun sets on Labor Day at the beach...
As the sun sets on Labor Day in the United States, it's a good time to really take a look at your work.
Back in the time of the Industrial Revolution, in the late 1800s, most Americans worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, including children as young as 5 or 6 years old!
Many worked at factories that were extremely toxic and in unsafe working conditions, which led to labor unions popping up to protest and organize strikes.
In New York on September 5th, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off from their jobs to march in the first Labor Day Parade. Other states started forming their own working man's holiday on the first Monday in September. However, it didn't become a federal holiday until 1894, after a dozen workers were killed in a railroad workers' strike.
While working conditions have improved vastly since the 1800's, it's still far from ideal. What do you do for work? What's it like to work where you do? What do you love about your job? What do you hate about your job? What could be improved?
camera operator on television set
In television, it's common, for me, to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week, while we're in production. Pay varies from show to show and from position to position, but even if my pay is considered really high by most people's standards, if I divide that weekly rate by the 84 hours I just worked, then that hourly rate doesn't seem so great, after all! Studies show it's also dangerous, for my health, costly and potentially deadly, to work these kinds of hours.
filming a scene
If health = wealth, then the way we all work is costing us a lot of money! While it may not be so apparent or extreme when you're 23, it really adds up when you're 43 and commuting 2-3 hours a day, working 12 hours, eating unhealthy or very little on the run, and sleeping less than 7 hours before having to get up and do it all over again.
And when I'm working 12 hour days, 7 days a week, there really isn't time to work out and have a self care routine. I'm merely surviving, just for the sake of a paycheck. Is that kind of money really worth it? Absolutely not! If you or I aren't able to work anymore, due to exhaustion or illness brought on by stress, then our earning potential is completely gone! Remember, the only person who will really take care of you is YOU.
Work harder may not yield the results you ultimately want.
Now, work stress doesn't always just come in the form of hours we work. It could also be the working environment. Is your boss someone who likes to yell? Are your co-workers encouraged to be competitive and back-stabbing? Are the values of the company contrary to your personal values? These are all warning signs that your work environment is toxic and creates more stress.
We are living in an age where you don't have to work at a job you hate. Now, I don't believe that your purpose in your life is your job or career path because...
...your purpose is much greater (than that job or career) and really should be incorporated into all aspects of your life.
However, if you are someone who hates math, but your daily job includes actually doing a lot of math, then how much stress are you creating by having to do this work every day? It's time to ask yourself, are you getting paid for work that you actually enjoy, and if you are, good for you! If not, then ask yourself why are you still in this job? If it's purely for the money, then it's not worth it. It's time to find another job or create one for yourself.
If your company has great pay, outstanding benefits and an environment where everyone works together well but you just hate what you're doing, could you co-create with your boss a few shifts, so you can do more of what you love and eliminate the parts you hate? The passion you have for the parts of your job you love will make you a better employee and who doesn't want a better employee? You'll most likely get more raises because you're working at a much higher level. So it not only creates more money, it also creates true wealth when you're in a job that pays you what you're worth, you're doing what you love, your boss and co-workers are compassionate and creative, and your values align with the company's values.
Just know that you're NEVER stuck. It's just up to YOU to create your future because, again, no one, will take care of you better than YOU.
What's your work life like? What do you do for work? What do you love about your job? What do you hate about your job? What could be improved? I'd love for you to subscribe and let me know below. If you want to work with me to create the work life you want, so you can be healthier and wealthier, sign up for a free 1-hour financial assessment with me here.
With Love and Gratitude,
