Work is an activity involving the application of a force that causes a displacement of the body of the object acted upon. The amount of work done depends on three quantities – the magnitude of the force applied, the magnitude of the displacement travelled by the body under the force and the angle between the direction of the applied force and the displacement travelled by the body under the applied force.
The physics definition of work also includes the idea that energy is transferred when work is done. Thus, the more work an object is subjected to, the more mechanical and internal energy it gains.
In this sense, a human being’s “work” can be thought of as the effort that person puts into their day-to-day activities to achieve the things they value and to pursue their goals. This may include both remunerative activities (e.g., paid employment or volunteer service) and non-remunerative activities such as household chores or sports training. A person’s “work” can also be considered a reflection of their character and values. For example, someone who works hard at their job or sport may be perceived as disciplined and responsible.
A person’s “work” can also refer to their creative or intellectual efforts. For instance, an artist’s work may be a painting or book that they have created. A musician’s work may be a song or composition that they have written or performed.
Work can also be used to describe a person’s profession or career, such as a doctor, teacher, lawyer or engineer. Finally, it can be used to describe a person’s scholarly or research activities.
While the topic of work is being discussed by many people today, most are focused on the ways that technological advancements and changing customer needs will affect their jobs. However, there is a bigger, more fundamental question to be asked about the role of work itself – namely, whether it should serve as a vehicle for human growth and development.
In our view, reskilling employees to perform new types of tasks or promoting a select group of people into management or product design roles doesn’t capture the potential for work to provide a positive impact on society and individuals. Instead, we believe that work must be redefined to include the development of intrinsic human capabilities and a greater focus on purpose and fulfillment. In other words, a new kind of work that is truly transformative must be created. This type of work requires cultivating and drawing on the intrinsic strengths of each individual to work for meaningful purposes that are aligned with their values and passions. Only this type of work can expand the value of work for everyone. The work that we do doesn’t just change other people, but it also changes us. Consider the time, energy, and relationships that we invest in our work. Maybe it has enriched our lives, taught us valuable skills, or helped to shape our beliefs and values. Perhaps it has even pushed us to challenge our limitations and grow.
