# The Battle for Joy By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-01-27 Work can be viewed as an ongoing battle for joy. In and of itself, work can be highly rewarding. People like engaging in and overcoming challenges. Esteem can be won by doing things well that others cannot do or cannot do as well. Work is a place in which there is a seemingly never-ending stream of opportunity for the joy that comes from accomplishment. Yet in listening to people, it seems that work is more often a place of drudgery rather than joy. There is value in understanding why this might be the case. Money can be a factor. Among its many functions, money does two things predominately concerning how one experiences joy and work. First, it establishes a standard of living. This is an essential, foundational aspect. If one has insufficient money, finding a way to make more is beneficial. Beyond that point, the second function of money, its social index function, emerges. It is this second function that impedes joy. Things that would be causes for celebration, if money were not involved, often are diminished, if not reversed, when money is involved. The pride of accomplishment is replaced by the offense of inadequate (socially indexed) compensation. When accomplishment becomes about money, beyond that needed for a desired standard of living, there is seldom joy in one’s professional accomplishments. The compensation is seldom adequate. Sadly, what people often take away from this is that one should simply pursue more money. Joy will seldom be found on this path. Joy comes from accomplishing victories on tasks one values. Joy comes from being who one wants, doing what one wants, and being where one wants. Money can help establish these three things to a point. Beyond that point pursuing more money will likely take one further away from those three sources of joy rather than closer. In the battle for joy at work one’s heart is a better compass than one’s wallet. #### Related Items [[Joy]] [[Work]] [[Money]] [[Living]]