A person who works hard at their job or at their school is putting in lots of effort and time. In some jobs, work can be physically demanding, like digging or constructing on a large scale, but other kinds of work can also be mentally challenging. Trying to keep up with homework or studying for an exam can be very hard work. Trying to be the best player on a sports team or in an art class can also be very hard work.
In physics, work is the amount of force that is needed to cause an object or system to move. The direction of displacement of the object and the direction of the force are important in determining whether or not the work is positive, negative, or zero. For example, a frustrated person pushing against a wall and becoming exhausted does not do any work because the wall stays put. On the other hand, a book falling off of a table and free falling to the ground does do some work because gravity is exerting a downward force on the book.
Traditionally, the idea of work has focused on people’s physical abilities. For example, a person might have a physically difficult job, such as being a miner, where they have to dig for coal in deep mines. Another kind of work might be a very physical job, such as running a marathon or competing in wrestling. However, more and more people are now doing work that requires less physical effort and can be done on a computer or mobile phone.
Many people are now doing work that is not only mentally challenging, but also emotionally and spiritually. This type of work often involves working with other people and can be very satisfying when it is well done. Some examples of this kind of work might be being a teacher or a social worker.
One of the biggest challenges in redefining work is getting beyond the narrow notion that it is only about skills and tasks and instead embracing the potential for people to undertake work with fundamentally different purposes and benefits for themselves and others. Attempting to achieve this with traditional means, such as reskilling people to do different routine tasks or moving them into other parts of the company that are not yet subject to automation, won’t do the trick. Rather, companies need to cultivate and draw on intrinsic human capabilities that enable them to identify, address, and solve unseen problems and opportunities.
Redefining work requires a major shift in thinking and culture within organizations. It involves rethinking how to organize, design, manage, and deliver work and creating new models of leadership and management. This can be accomplished by changing the way people think about work and encouraging people to take risks and act like owners. It also involves ensuring that people have the freedom to pursue their passions and make a difference in areas they care about.
