Paul Millerd’s The Pathless Path is a thought-provoking read for anyone questioning their relationship with work and wondering if there's an alternative path.

And one of my favourite quotes from the book is this:

You can’t pay people too much because they’ll stop working!

This made me chuckle.  And it got me pondering.

Why might someone keep working even if they’re being paid too much?  Even if they’re being paid more money than they’ll ever be able to spend?

I can think of lots of reasons.

Reasons like:

• They love their work
• Their work gives them meaning
• They want to climb the career ladder
• They get a sense of belonging from their work
• They have too much momentum to stop working
• They enjoy the structure and routine of their work
• They don’t know what they’d do if they didn’t work
• Work gives them a way to live out their core, personal values
• They worry what other people would think if they worked less

Now, I’m not passing judgement on any of these.  All I’m saying is these are reasons someone might keep working over and above the money they make.

Of course, money tends to be a big driver for working in the first place.

I got a job when I left uni to earn money.  

(the jagerbombs weren’t going to pay for themselves)

But over time, I felt myself starting to want other things from work.

I wanted to do work I enjoyed.  I wanted the opportunity to be creative.  And I wanted more balance, flexibility and freedom.

And what I realise now is this:

Getting clearer much earlier on what I wanted from work - and how I wanted work to fit into my life - might’ve been a smart move.

I was never intentional about what I wanted. I let things happen rather than making things happen.

So if I could rewind the clock 13 years, I’d take the time to think it through.  And decide why I was working.  And the role I wanted work to play in my life.

Is it all about the money?  Or is it about other things too?  If so, what?  And how can I get these?

I’m not saying these questions would've been easy to answer. But it could’ve got me in the right ballpark.  And once I was there, I could've made small tweaks along the way.

Of course, things change over time.  If I’d asked these questions 13 years ago, the answers might've been very different to today's.  And not asking these questions 13 years ago has meant I'm able to do what I'm doing today.

But I still think there are advantages to being intentional. 

After all, those 13 years could’ve been a lot more fun.  And it was only through intent that I’m doing work I enjoy now.

So before I wrap up, I’d like to ask you the same questions.

What role does work play in your life?

What role do you want work to play in your life? 

And do the two match?

That’s all for today.

- Tom