In considering people as occupational beings it is implied that humans need to engage in occupation in order to flourish. Henry Sigerist, the medical historian and social visionary argues that work is essential in maintaining health said, ‘…because it determines the chief rhythm of life, balances it, and gives meaning and significance’
‘Labour is man’s act of self-creation’ – Karl Marx
Occupation is the mechanism by which individuals demonstrate the use of their capacities by achievements of value and worth to their society and the world. It is only by their activities that people can demonstrate what they are, or what they hope to be. Occupational achievement usually results in self-development and growth experiences
The Need for Self-Actualisation, relates to our need for self-perfection, to be what we have the potential to be, to realise our complete selves. In this respect Maslow (see link below) discriminates between lack motivation and growth motivation (who and how we want to ‘be’), the latter corresponding to self-actualisation. Lack needs can generally be fulfilled, ‘Being’ needs will always be there and lead us to unceasingly new possibilities.
The question is, who and how do we want to ‘be’ or perhaps it’s, who and how do we need to be. For so many this links to how we choose our work, our vocations in order to validate who we are and satisfy this Need for living our lives to our fullest potential.
How have you achieved this? If you are still on the quest to achieve it, what are you doing that resonates the deepest thus giving you a sense of ‘rightness’? It will also help to give you a sense of purpose in everything you do. Thus, giving you deeper meaning to your life.
This analysis will help you to create a personal profile, a personal blueprint that you can use as you make your way through the rest of your life.
When we know what our Life’s Purpose is, it gives us direction and
meaning. It creates a context for our decision making and our choices, our actions, our behaviour and our language. It will also be unbelievably motivating!
Here is a very motivational story about life’s purpose. What’s yours?
A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
Being a veternarian I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat
together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’
The six-year-old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to
stay as long.’
So live like a dog.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
What is your life’s purpose, please share below.
If you feel that you are stuck in a rut, life can appear grey and uninspiring. You are not sure what to do or where to go next. A sense of inertia settles around you. To break out of this cycle and bring a feeling of enthusiasm back to our lives we need to recognise the symptoms and what to do about them.
Here are 5 ways to recognise the symptoms and how to make those all important changes.
1. Life is a constant struggle.
Everything you do is an uphill battle. Nothing seems easy. You feel as if you are bashing your head against a brick wall. Sound familiar? When we’re stuck in rut, barriers just seem to keep getting in the way. Start by taking responsibility for those things where you can take control. There is
nothing like being in control to help you get back your sense of perspective.
2. Your energy drops away.
Tackling things that don’t motivate you on a regular basis can sap your energy. So start by
setting yourself some challenges. Aim to tackle at least one difficult task a day. If it is something that can be spread over a period of time then break it down into pieces and spend 15 mins a day on the task.
3. You avoid making decisions.
Focus on the present. What are you going to do now, today? Don’t spend time over worrying about the past or the future. Everyone makes decisions that they later regret. As long as you make the best decision that you can at the time then you can meet the consequences head on.
4. You have become resistant to change.
Change can be frightening. But you will never get out of the rut unless you start to make some changes. So start by change a small part of your routine. If what you are doing on a day to day basis is causing you grief, then change it. It needn’t be large changes(although these may be necessary) but small changes everyday can lead to big changes overtime.
5. You lack joy, enthusiasm and motivation.
Spend time with positive, enthusiastic people who will lift your spirits. There is no doubt that mixing with joyful people will help you to feel more enthusiasm. Mix with other people who are in a negative space and you will find it difficult to get away from. If you can’t find anyone positive in your circle, try expanding your circle of acquaintances, watch some positive people on TV or get yourself a mentor.
Work is an integral part of our lives. It consumes a huge part of our waking (and sometimes sleeping!) lives. If we were to unpack the concept of work, we would discover that it is a great deal more significant in our lives than perhaps we are aware. And it’s not necessarily only about earning money in order to create and support a lifestyle.
The achievement of work related goals is often not the primary motivator for the individual. For many it’s about realising personal goals. Skill and knowledge development is likely to increase
self-esteem and lead to a sense of personal growth. It may be about using work to validate who they are. They use their work to define them. It could be about demonstrating worth to those around them.
Apart from the requirement to ‘do the job’, whether we are employed or self-employed, most of us seem to have a need for more than just doing it. Work enables us to establish our credibility in society, demonstrate our skills and capabilities, achieve our goals and aspirations. It affords us the opportunity to express our individuality and our commitment. These are some of the more obvious benefits of working. However, there are more unseen benefits that have been identified. As individuals, we have basic human needs that require satisfying. These needs play a key part in our life’s experience and, when we are considering retirement can impact on our decisions and emotions in a profound way.