Humanize Work – We Are At War, But Who Is Our Enemy?

Let there be no mistake – we are at war.

Not war in the traditional sense, but we are fighting a force that is almost overwhelmingly too strong.

Almost.

You see, we have been taught to go to school, learn, get good grades, graduate, and find a job.  Once there, they put you in a box on the org chart, give you responsibilities and your job is to be obedient, follow process and policy and, if you are lucky, you might climb the corporate ladder.  In essence, you are treated more like a cog in a machine, than a person.  This is what we are taught we should do and most of us do it diligently.

Then later in life – it could be 6 months later or right before we retire – we ask ourselves, “Why am I doing what I am doing?”  This usually creates the basis for a great mid-life crisis.

We are not fighting against evil men who are conspiring to turn every person into a cog and subjugate the human workforce.  Rather we are fighting against a cultural force that compels you, and me, your family and your friends to give up our passion and spend hours working toward a cause that either we don’t understand, can’t relate to, or we could care less about.  It is a culture that tells us that if we earn a paycheck, that’s good enough – we are lucky to get that.

To win this war it is a constant, daily fight within ourselves.  It would be so much easier for us to give in, just go to work and get the paycheck.  That is what we are expected to do.  But if we want a fulfilling career, most of us will need to work hard to focus on our personal purpose.

But if you don’t have one, then you are already losing the battle.

For those who have a passion and a purpose but may not have the courage to go after it – you’re not alone, but you are not getting any younger, either.  And your situation won’t be easier than it is right now.

But it IS your choice.

You can either be acted upon, or take control and act.

And now is the best time to start.