What’s It Worth To You?

~Joel’s Blog

The Silver Lining in the Great Recession

How do you measure worth? Well, how many people can you think of that want something different than their “day job”? For that matter, how many folks can you think of that simply want (read: need) a day/night/any job?

It doesn’t matter, really, when you peg the year that this current economic downturn began. Some say 2007, some 2008.

But does it matter whether we say it’s been going on for 4 or 5 years, even 6? Not so much. Perhaps, if there is a silver lining hidden in the folds of the economic storm clouds still lingering over the world, it is that it has forced nearly everyone to reassess (or maybe assess for the first time) what it is that they want out of life, what matters most to them. Where their worth comes from. For many, that has come to mean doing work that has tangible value (worth) or is fulfilling and meaningful (worthy). Doing work that is purpose-driven, rather than paycheck-driven (even a big one), is what makes the work worth doing.

Your Worth: What’s It Worth To You?

How does this look in real life? Some people that were downsized have found new careers. Sometimes they circle back to a dream they held when they were younger but decided they couldn’t afford to follow back then. Often, they engage in a transition from their old “world” to their new one. For others, the transition was/is all at once. It is to be hoped that they’ve developed a plan to move towards their dream. This is a far more compelling way to initiate change in one’s life, typically major change, than operating from a move away from motivation. The former is positive, full of hope and powered by vision; the latter is negative, fueled by regret and powered by frustration.

However, when push comes to shove–even a massive, economically unpleasant shove–moving towards something is much harder than just seething about current conditions. It takes guts. It requires stepping into a dimly lit future. It means one sets sail into uncharted waters. But isn’t it worth it? Really, what’s the alternative?

How many people do you know that expense loads of energy on complaining about “if only…”? More than those folks that have cast off from the harbor and are sailing into new seas? Probably.

So what is it that prompts a person to cast off for new places, rather than rage on about their current one? Which one are you these days? Intrepid adventurer…or tepid, arm-chair complainer?

Engage here.  Starting right now, which one would you like to be?  Who else might need to reconsider their motivation?

photo credit: Kıvanç Niş via photopin cc