Super Soul Special: Wes Moore: The Difference Between Your Job and Your Work
Oct 16, 2024
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Wes Moore, a New York Times best-selling author and decorated U.S. Army veteran, delves into the profound difference between a 'job' and meaningful 'work.' He reflects on his journey from Wall Street banker to pursuing his true purpose, encouraging listeners to assess their own paths. The conversation touches on the transformative power of travel, the importance of aligning passions with societal needs, and advocating for marginalized communities. Wes champions the idea of engaging in work that resonates deeply with personal values.
Wes Moore emphasizes the importance of moving beyond just having a job to finding work that aligns with one's true passions and societal contributions.
He introduces the ICU framework—Identify, Calcify, and Unify—as a guiding process for discovering fulfilling work that addresses community issues and fosters collaboration.
Deep dives
The Power of Environment and Expectations
The impact of one's environment and the expectations placed upon individuals significantly shape their life trajectories. A speaker recalls a personal experience of working on Wall Street, emphasizing the stark contrast between their professional success and the challenging circumstances of their childhood in a chronically under-invested neighborhood. This juxtaposition underlines the belief that individuals are not merely products of their environments but are deeply influenced by the expectations others have of them. The speaker reflects on the importance of fostering positive expectations, as they play a crucial role in determining an individual’s self-perception and aspirations.
Distinguishing Between Job and Work
A clear distinction is made between the concepts of a job and work, where a job refers to mere occupation while work encompasses one's true passions and contributions to society. The speaker shares their journey of self-discovery, moving from feeling defined by their job as an investment banker to finding fulfillment in work that aligns with their values and addresses societal needs. This involves an inner journey of identifying personal passions, realizing that authentic work should overlap with global needs, rather than merely starting new initiatives. The narrative includes examples of individuals who integrate their work into their jobs, exemplifying that true fulfillment comes from pursuing meaningful contributions rather than traditional success.
The ICU Framework for Finding Your Work
To navigate the path toward fulfilling work, a framework referred to as ICU—Identify, Calcify, and Unify—is introduced. Identification involves recognizing what truly resonates with one's passions, emphasizing the personal nature of this process. Calcification underscores the importance of not just starting new ventures but focusing on resolving existing issues within the community, promoting a sense of responsibility towards collective progress. Finally, Unification calls for the active involvement of those affected by the work being done, ensuring that they are part of the conversation and decision-making process, thereby fostering genuine collaboration and impact.
In a live appearance at UCLA’s Royce Hall, New York Times best-selling author, Rhodes scholar and decorated U.S. Army veteran Wes Moore asks a powerful question: “After years working at the same job, have you ever realized you've just been going through the motions for as long as you can remember?” Wes shares how he believes we can all discover and pursue our true life’s purpose. As a combat officer in Afghanistan, a White House Fellow and a Wall Street banker, Wes discusses his journey of self-discovery, which led him to walk away from financial success to create a more meaningful life.
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