Some of us have been there, that moment when we find ourselves suddenly thrust into a new job, project, or opportunity, unsure of how we even ended up here.
For me, it has been a common experience, this notion of "falling into" a job/work rather than deliberately choosing it.
I think when you're young, you can't be too picky as what to do and what not to do in this aspect, what matters more is gaining that experience that will allow you to level up faster.
And in some ways, that stumbling approach into the unknown can turn out surprisingly well. An unexpected opening leads to a fulfilling career path, or a side project turns into a thriving business.
But other times, those unplanned forays into "work" can leave a bad taste in our mouths, feeling unfulfilled, stuck in a rut, or simply wondering whether this is really what I want to be spending my time on?
The latter can be a disheartening realization, if we decide to follow that thread of asking questions and searching for answers.
That said, the question of "what to work on" is a complex one, with no easy answers.
The Privilege of Choice
For those struggling to make ends meet, the question of "what to work on" has little to do with personal fulfillment and everything to do with meeting basic needs.
When your primary focus is just trying to survive, the freedom to choose meaningful work may be almost non-existent.
Sociologist Juliet Schor has found that low-wage workers in the US spend nearly 75% of their waking hours either working or commuting - leaving little time or energy for anything else.
Interestingly, this is not that different from knowledge workers spending almost 80% of our day working online.
For these individuals, the concept of "work" is stripped of choice, creativity, or a sense of purpose. It's simply a means to an end.
In contrast, those with their basic needs met have this luxury of finding themselves grappling with a different set of questions around "what to work on."
Creating or finding an opportunity to align work with deeper values, passions, and a sense of personal fulfillment becomes a real possibility.
Redefining "Work"
Of course, the notion of "work" itself is a lot broader than our paid jobs or professional careers.
Many people (myself included) find immense meaning and satisfaction through unpaid labor - volunteering, caregiving, community organizing, artistic pursuits, and more.
Arguably, this is where we find more fulfillment than our traditional paid jobs, which can often feel disconnected from our true selves and values.
I think the concept of work is being expanded and redefined in the modern era, and part of the task towards finding what to work on amidst these many options across the spectrum is to at least be open to redefining what "work" means to us, and having the courage to explore alternatives, even if they don't fit the traditional mold.
As author Cal Newport argues, "Follow your passion is bad advice - at least for most people." Instead, he encourages people to "build skills that are valuable" in service of work that is meaningful.
Which can be explained as finding the intersection between your interests and skills, then developing qualities that'll allow one to be really good at doing it.
Strategies for Discernment
If there's a practical way to go about it, the starting point will obviously be with self-reflection - digging deep to uncover our values and what truly lights us up.
From there, it's simply about experimentation, trying on different roles and projects to see what resonates.
During the whole process, seeking out mentors, role models, and diverse perspectives can also be invaluable.
Connecting with a wise older friend helped me see blind spots and consider possibilities I'd never imagined while stuck in a career that I thought was going to be fulfilling somewhere in the future.
Perspective matters, always.
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