The Problem with a Work-Centric Existence

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A work-centric existence leads people to seek validation and worth primarily from their jobs.
Research suggests that people with greater self-complexity are more well-rounded and better workers.
Detaching self-worth from work is beneficial for both personal and professional growth.

One of the first things we learn about people is what they do for a living. But the link between work and identify has moved far beyond that, especially in certain industries, geographies, and cultures. Many of us put everything we have into our jobs, expecting our careers to fulfill us. Author Simone Stolzoff argues for a different approach. He wants us to find work that keeps us engaged and gives us the security we need, while still allowing us to define ourselves in other ways. Drawing on research and real-life stories, he explains what it means to have a "good enough" job, and why this shift in thinking could be good not just for individuals but also for teams and organizations. Stolzoff is the author of The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work.