We all like to joke about how unpleasant Mondays can be. Usually Mondays get a bad rap because it means the weekend has officially ended and it’s time to go back to work. But in all seriousness, work is good for us, and it has many advantages beyond pay checks and health insurance coverage. As humans, we were made to work and to be rewarded for it.

Frank Sonnenberg, named one of America’s top thought leaders, writes this in this article on his blog Frank Sonnenberg online: “Hard work builds character, contributes to success, and promotes happiness. The converse is also true. When people are rewarded without making the effort, it reduces confidence, promotes dependency, and robs individuals of their personal dignity.” 

Let’s take a minute to think beyond the normal scope of job benefits and talk about why having a job and working is important.

Working keeps us busy and gives us a sense of satisfaction

It builds confidence and provides a way for us to challenge ourselves and others. Sitting at home and doing nothing day after day does not bring the sense of accomplishment we get from a productive day on the job. When we are compensated fairly for our work, we feel satisfied and proud. In the article Benefits of Working, it states, “People in work tend to enjoy happier and healthier lives than those who are not in work. Our physical and mental health is generally improved through work – we recover from sickness quicker and are at less risk of long-term illness and incapacity.”

A job is a privilege some people are not afforded

It can seem silly to take having a job for granted because it is something our society expects. And although there are plenty of people who spend a lot of time complaining about their job, it’s good to remember that not everyone is able to work. It is a choice and a privilege. By working and earning money, we can take care of children, the elderly, and disabled who are not able to work and support themselves. We also have the opportunity of blessing those who are less fortunate. Working gives us the ability to be generous and give to charities. I’m sure you’ve heard the adage that it is more blessed to give than receive, and that is very true. When we are in a position to help someone else, it can bring us just as much joy and fulfillment.

Work can make a difference

As a headhunter, my work fills needs in the marketplace. Our clients call on us to find talented professionals to meet their personnel needs.  In doing so, we provide job opportunities to candidates who can then fulfill their personal career goals. Assisting our clients and candidates in this way is extremely satisfying, knowing that helping to fill even one job can end up benefiting hundreds or thousands of other people. In the same way, knowing that what you do in the workplace makes an impact on so many gives you a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and drive to keep working hard even in the seasons when the work itself is hard.

It is often easy to lose sight of the big picture in the midst of the day to day, so hopefully this reminds you of some reasons to be thankful for your job again. Next Monday, let’s remember that our work is a good thing and we need it as much as it needs us!