When people talk about working hard, they usually mean that they have put a lot of effort into something. However, not everything that requires effort is considered work in a scientific sense. In physics, work is the transfer of energy that occurs when a force causes an object to move. This concept can be applied to many situations, such as a horse pulling a plow through a field or a student lifting a backpack full of books on her shoulders. To determine whether a given action is work, three quantities must be known: the force, the displacement, and the direction of the displacement relative to the force. Mathematically, work is equal to force times distance. The SI unit for work is the joule (J), defined as 1 newton-meter of force exerted over one meter of displacement.
In the simplest case, where a constant force is applied to an object and its displacement is parallel with that of the force, work is equal to the product of the force and the distance. Because both force and displacement are vectors, work has a direction. When the direction of the displacement is opposite to that of the force, such as when a ball falls due to gravity, work is negative. Conversely, when the direction of the displacement is perpendicular to that of the force, such as when an acrobat performs a back flip, work is positive.
While the concept of work may seem abstract, it is important to understand because it has a significant impact on our daily lives. Consider the discipline, wisdom, and skills that we have gained as a result of our work. Also, think about the relationships we have formed and the mentors we have benefited from. Without the work we do, these things would not have been possible.
If you’re finding that your work is taking over your life, it’s time to take a step back. Try making a list of activities that make you feel happy and commit to doing them on a regular basis. It can be as simple as giving a compliment to someone you know each day or volunteering your time once per month.
Even feeling and seeing – faculties that we might think of as spontaneous, natural, unmediated – are the result of work done by long evolutionary processes. This is why it’s so important to do good work. If you have any questions about how to do your best work, ask us below. You can also find out more about your rights at work by visiting Citizens Advice. They have information on contracts, working hours, sick pay and more.