Jobs and work do much more than most of us realize to provide happiness and contentment.
Jobs
and
work
do
much
more
than
most
of
us
realize
to
provide
happiness
and
contentment
.
We're all used to thinking that work provides the material things of life--the goods and services that make our modern civilization possible.
We
're
all
used
to
thinking
that
work
provides
the
material
things
of
life
--
the
goods
and
services
that
make
our
modern
civilization
possible
.
But we are much less conscious of the degree to which work provides the more important psychological wellbeing that can make the difference between a full and an empty life.
But
we
are
much
less
conscious
of
the
degree
to
which
work
provides
the
more
important
psychological
wellbeing
that
can
make
the
difference
between
a
full
and
an
empty
life
.
Historically, work has been associated with slavery and sin and punishment.
Historically
,
work
has
been
associated
with
slavery
and
sin
and
punishment
.
And in our own day we are used to bearing traditional complaints.
And
in
our
own
day
we
are
used
to
bearing
traditional
complaints
.
Against this background, it may well come as a surprise to learn that not only psychologists but other behavioral scientists have come to accept the positive contribution of work to the individual's happiness and sense of personal achievement.
Against
this
background
,
it
may
well
come
as
a
surprise
to
learn
that
not
only
psychologists
but
other
behavioral
scientists
have
come
to
accept
the
positive
contribution
of
work
to
the
individual
's
happiness
and
sense
of
personal
achievement
.
Work is more than a necessity for most human beings; it is the focus of their lives, the source of their identity and creativity.
Work
is
more
than
a
necessity
for
most
human
beings
;
it
is
the
focus
of
their
lives
,
the
source
of
their
identity
and
creativity
.
Rather than a punishment of a burden, work is the opportunity to realize one's potential.
Rather
than
a
punishment
of
a
burden
,
work
is
the
opportunity
to
realize
one
's
potential
.
And the opposite is true, too.
And
the
opposite
is
true
,
too
.
For large numbers of people, the absence of work is harmful to their health.
For
large
numbers
of
people
,
the
absence
of
work
is
harmful
to
their
health
.
Retirement often brings many problems surrounding the "What do I do with myself?"
Retirement
often
brings
many
problems
surrounding
the
``
What
do
I
do
with
myself
?
''
question, even though there may be no financial cares.
question
,
even
though
there
may
be
no
financial
cares
.
Large numbers of people regularly get headaches and other illnesses on weekends when they don't have their jobs to go to, and must take care of themselves.
Large
numbers
of
people
regularly
get
headaches
and
other
illnesses
on
weekends
when
they
do
n't
have
their
jobs
to
go
to
,
and
must
take
care
of
themselves
.
It has been observed that unemployment, quite apart from financial pressures, brings enormous psychological troubles and that many individuals'conditions become worse rapidly when jobless.
It
has
been
observed
that
unemployment
,
quite
apart
from
financial
pressures
,
brings
enormous
psychological
troubles
and
that
many
individuals'conditions
become
worse
rapidly
when
jobless
.
But why?
But
why
?
Why should work be such a significant source of human satisfaction?
Why
should
work
be
such
a
significant
source
of
human
satisfaction
?
A good share of the answer rests in the kind of pride that is stimulated by the job, by the activity of accomplishing.
A
good
share
of
the
answer
rests
in
the
kind
of
pride
that
is
stimulated
by
the
job
,
by
the
activity
of
accomplishing
.
Jobs and work do much more than most of us realize to provide happiness and contentment. We're all used to thinking that work provides the material things of life--the goods and services that make our modern civilization possible. But we are much less conscious of the degree to which work provides the more important psychological wellbeing that can make the difference between a full and an empty life.  Historically, work has been associated with slavery and sin and punishment. And in our own day we are used to bearing traditional complaints. Against this background, it may well come as a surprise to learn that not only psychologists but other behavioral scientists have come to accept the positive contribution of work to the individual's happiness and sense of personal achievement. Work is more than a necessity for most human beings; it is the focus of their lives, the source of their identity and creativity.  Rather than a punishment of a burden, work is the opportunity to realize one's potential. And the opposite is true, too. For large numbers of people, the absence of work is harmful to their health. Retirement often brings many problems surrounding the "What do I do with myself?" question, even though there may be no financial cares. Large numbers of people regularly get headaches and other illnesses on weekends when they don't have their jobs to go to, and must take care of themselves. It has been observed that unemployment, quite apart from financial pressures, brings enormous psychological troubles and that many individuals'conditions become worse rapidly when jobless.  But why? Why should work be such a significant source of human satisfaction? A good share of the answer rests in the kind of pride that is stimulated by the job, by the activity of accomplishing.