The idea that one should work hard for the sake of working hard is misguided. The purpose of work should not be solely for the accumulation of wealth or power, but to contribute to society in a meaningful way. We must strive to align our work with our values and passions, for that is where true fulfillment lies. But it’s not all about work and money. Our self-worth should come from within – not from the approval of others. We are the only person in the world who can properly value ourselves.

I am sure we heard that one before.

The coupling of worth and work is a symptom of a larger societal problem. In a system that places value on one’s productivity and contribution to the capitalist machine, it is no surprise that individuals equate their worth with the labor they provide. The notion that one’s worth is determined solely by their output is a fallacy perpetuated by those in power to maintain the status quo. The status quo of work can be defeated on the daily; but, it requires a practice of remembering that you are worth more than you think you are. A cruel and funny performance of believing that your skills, your talents, your unique perspective – these are all valuable in and of themselves.

As humans, we possess inherent worth that cannot be quantified by our job titles or salaries. We have the capacity for creativity, compassion, and empathy – qualities that are invaluable to the human experience but are often overlooked in our current economic structure.

It can be hard to remember that if we feel like we are not getting better at something, it might be time to seek out other talented people to practice with. We don’t have to be a “rockstar developer” on our own – sometimes it takes a band to create truly great work.

It’s also important to remember that when we are selling a service, whether it’s coding or consulting or any other skill…. it is more important than ever to not sell ourselves short, and let others take advantage of the transient transactional nature of selling, or the contract. Make our gift to the world the gift of self-awareness, instead of sloppiness: that is where the true work lies.

Hard work doesn’t always pay off in the way we expect it to. Sometimes the most fulfilling work is the kind we do for ourselves – the hobbies we enjoy, the languages we learn, the incremental improvements we make over time over the little things that always bothered us but no one else. We could be lucky to cut out the middle man of money; but we should not count on it either.

It is up to us as individuals to recognize our inherent worth and to resist the pressures of a system that seeks to commodify us. We must challenge the dominant narrative that equates productivity with worth and strive to build ourselves a little community that values all individuals for who they are, not just for what they can produce. Only then can we hope to create a world where worth is not determined by work, first; and everything else later.

To whoever is unsure of themselves due to the recent shakeups in the industry and the world at large, I encourage you to try some deep, invisible work instead of verified, seen work. Prioritize tasks that require your full attention during the time of day when you’re most giving and yourself, and don’t be afraid to say no to opportunities that you know will ultimately disappoint you. The world can wait as you gather up some courage to work on better things. 

I am sure something will emerge.