The mission of Career Counseling Connecticut is to help clients find work that makes them feel happy and successful.
The pandemic has had some benefits, including the chance to reflect on work-life balance.
Unfortunately, there has been an “anti-work” movement among some portion of Gen-Z.
“I don’t dream of labor” is a catch phrase that is designed to combat the rise and grind/hustle philosophy.
Some part of the anti-work phrase is enlightening. Work in our society takes on a disproportionate level of identification. “What do you do?” has morphed into “who are you?” I fully get why someone who is an outdoor enthusiast might not want “mortgage broker” as the dominant way he is perceived.
But…. there are multiple problems with the Gen Z view that people should quit unhappy work or not place much importance on work.
The first problem is loaded with irony. For a generation steeped in calling out “privilege”,suggesting that not working is an option is a privilege without historical precedent. Work has been part of the human condition…. since there were humans.
The second problem is that thing that makes most everyone work: money. I have no problem with twentysomethings living at home. Indeed, I think it’s a good thing in many instances. But those quitting jobs – without a plan – because they are can rely on their parents are “kicking the can down the road” related to the variety of problems that will emerge as they reach their thirties.
The third problem stems from simple reality. “Work” takes up a large part of one’s waking hours. Not putting energy into figuring out what would be enjoyable work will lead to unhappy work which is a lot of unhappy life.