Subscribe
Sign in
What matters more to you? Money or purpose of work?
A few days ago I bumped into a report stating that Gen Z (people born between 1997 – 2012) are more likely to choose a job with purpose for society than with a higher salary.
[Motivators of selecting a workplace for Gen Z "Impact for society" (93%) > "Competitive salary" (63%)] – I will leave the report in the comments.
My questions are (and I know that if you are a founder of a company you look at things a little bit differently), anyway:
● What matters to you more? (Money vs. Purpose of work)
● What is the minimum salary range you would have to get to care more about the purpose of the job than the money?
30
Replies
Best
Karen Wick
This is interesting, purpose of work only matters if you aren't working for someone else.
Report
Share
@konrad_sx isn't that simple? You are working for someone else's purpose if you aren't working for yours.
@karen_wick Yeah, but for me the purpose of the one I work for would matter. I'd try to work for someone with who's purpose I'd agree.
Money it's important until a specific level, if you work for 1k a month, and you receive a raise to match 3k, the motivational boos is real. If you already have 10k monthly from a business (not necessary your business), if you raise to 15k, the motivational boost is not the same, will last just a few days after you receive the paycheck. So basically my answer is "it depends"
@busmark_w_nika once you pass the "security level", covering your needs, of course you become picky, you check more the company, the project the environment. Money can give you security but your 9h per day life it's still influenced by the purpose or better said, how you feel at work
So I can totally see why Gen Zs would not care about money as much . Their parents had/have more of it and perhaps showed them that there’s more to life than money 😊All three of my kids were born in that period so know it first hand. I genuinely think that younger generations are less money oriented because they had a better and more fulfilling childhood. Plus they are spoiled for choice when it comes to careers and opportunities. I personally always wanted to make more money so my kids had more than I did and struggled less. Me and my husband had to make a number of sacrifices to make it happen. But there’s definitely a moral norm. I would never do a job I hate just because of money. I’ll always find one I like better. Money can be earned in so many ways if you utilise every skill you have. But I think the more financial freedom you feel the less you care about monetary benefits. Unless you’re greedy and selfish of course. As for the salary bracket, I think it depends on your living costs, circumstances and your environment. But in general once you have a nice home to live in , bills paid and food on the table …everything else is a luxury. That’s when you can start thinking of what you really want to do in life .
For sure! And yes, I really hate watching people stuck in a rut and hating going to work every day. It really shows. My father in law was in the same job for 40 years and dreaded going in every day. So he went to a pub after work to make himself feel somewhat better 🙄. He only felt better when he retired though . What a miserable way to live eh . @busmark_w_nika
For me, it's definitely a balance. Financial stability gives me peace of mind and allows me to pursue some of my interests outside of work. But work without purpose feels like a missed opportunity. Ideally, a role offers a competitive salary and the chance to contribute to something meaningful. 😊
@busmark_w_nika exactly. Resources, especially financial, are undeniably the backbone of most endeavors. Without them, even the most purpose can remain just an aspiration.
Both are important for me, but the one thing that has more importance is Purpose of work, If what I do is important for me it will eventually bring more money.
Work-life balance
Making a lot of money is a great motivation, but if it starts to put a strain on my relationships, it's no longer worth it
Same with purpose/values/impact - I can't think of anything more important in this world than my family
While both money and purpose are important, I find that having a sense of purpose in my work ultimately matters more. When my work aligns with my values and passions, it not only brings fulfillment but also drives me to achieve greater things, often leading to financial rewards as a byproduct.
Off course is purpose of work.
In today's society, it's actually quite easy to make enough money to survive by simply selling our time in various forms. However, finding meaningful work or the meaning of life is much harder. How can we exist in this world without just selling our time? We should seek the meaning of our own lives. Inspired by speeches from Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, I've learned valuable lessons. Steve suggested living each day as if it were our last, to better decide what to do and what not to do. Elon advised finding a cause that excites us every morning, something worth striving for. We need positive and ambitious visions to pursue.
@busmark_w_nika I don't believe that seeking meaningful work is exclusive to the very wealthy. For instance, in polls where 80% chose work meaning, it doesn't exceed any particular limits. Additionally, achieving this state isn't just about being passionate about something; it also involves reducing the desires driven by consumerism, which isn't very difficult. Finding one's purpose in life doesn't require money. Just take some time everyday to think of ourself.
Money is what makes a reward for your work, if you work so hard for so many years and you feel that you are getting less money your spark will dim and you'll lose the passion .. both are important and crucial to success.
First, I want to make money. Once I become wealthy, I want to discover a new sense of purpose.
I would rather choose the purpose of work, but a few years back, I would've selected money.
I’d say purpose is key for me. Even if the salary isn’t top-notch, knowing that my work benefits others is what matters most. A good salary is a bonus, not the main driver.