Unhappy at work? How to find meaning and maintain your mental health | Big Think

[@bigthink]

Have questions for one of the experts featured in this video? Let us know! We'll keep them in mind for our next video.

[@LoveDoctorNL]

No!

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

Do the experts know they're on a video with Jordan Peterson?

[@FlutterSwag]

"Why dont my employees enjoy their 9-5 desk job with barely livable wages while i rake in millions, such is the greatest question of our generation"

[@nicolasm400]

we need a voice in the workplace as employee

[@nicolasm400]

@Catharsis thats right.. we need the labor movement back, it'll be a matter of survival... there is no political democracy without democracy in the industry, the material core of any society. Try to organize on the workplace, be sharp and listen to coworkers, pressure AFL-CIO, seek out fresh & new unions like Change to Win (a split from the AFL in 2005) or the IWW which is still small & political but growing in the good direction imo

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

@Catharsis Shame the unions these days are more concerned with divisive far left politics instead of working to solve problems.

[@wbodytuning5693]

Crazyhart This comment says it all

[@juliuscaesart]

Well said.

[@danielhady3021]

I used to work in retail and call centers, I absolutely hated it. Call center work was about the most soul sucking existence I could think of. That job made me depressed. Decided I need a change, completely changed gears to an actual career. Now I'm a construction electrician apprentice only about 1500 hrs from journeyman hours. Have zero regrets, because I really enjoy what I do. Get to learn new skills everyday, have gotten to see my progression from a completely green apprentice to being competent in various areas of electrical installation, and get to work with my hands and see the fruits of my labor. I also enjoy the constant problem solving you have to do in the field. Never would have thought when I was in college that I'd be working construction and actually enjoy it. Strange how life turns out.

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

I’m glad you found something you like. I’ve worked soul sucking job currently and I’m glad you made it out

[@tmu-creativeworks]

I had the same experience with call center work. Did it for several years until I went to bed with an aching stomach and got up with an aching stomach and the mere thought of having to do this work for another hour made by physically sick.

[@danielhady3021]

@@justadudeintheworldman.120 I had to get out of that environment. Working in call centers made me hate humans so much for how shitty they treat people. I get it, you're calling because you have an issue but don't verbally abuse me when I had 0 to do with it and am trying to help. It's never too late to get out and find something else. I was 30 when I started the electrical apprenticeship.

[@danielhady3021]

@@tmu-creativeworksyeah I hated it, the most dehumanizing experience. Strapped to a phone like cattle waiting to be slaughtered, constantly being surveiled with recorded calls, adherence tracking, and other metrics, basically narrows you down to just numbers. Some people can do it, but I couldn't, it made me hate people so much. I also knew I had to get out before I felt "stuck" and had to "settle". Oddly enough I was good at the job, but constantly being told in QA scores that I had to sound more empathetic, engage more, blah blah blah I was done.

[@diegochavez8752]

Same here. It's like a robot work. Doing the same thing over and over again for hours. Me thinking wheres is the gun please?

[@landscapesforlearning82]

Loss of humanness in the name of efficiency and profit. We’ve got to reclaim our humanness. It involves reconnection with the body, not merely control of the mind, here and now. Learning is the path of meaning.

[@payalalam8738]

Exactly.. Loss of human-ness.. It's called professionalism in corporate world 😆😅😂

[@AJSchnell]

Payal Alam High personality people make life more fun

[@payalalam8738]

For mental health - Simple living, minimilast life style should be the answer I hope... Jobs will never allow for mental health.

[@GajanaNigade]

Work is something you do, job is something you're tasked with.

[@x3ICEx]

I'm about to retire and it terrifies me. Less money, smaller house, limited internet. My mental health has never been great though.

[@x3ICEx]

@Thomas Lehmann Thanks

[@samantarizzi248]

@@x3ICEx I hope things are working out for you. Life is hard. Stay strong❤

[@payalalam8738]

For me, life means to evolve by learning, by experiences, by so many many other ways... .. . . Not just repeating one thing for salary.. which is what we do at corporate job.

[@aduffield]

this sums up my feelings exactly

[@btsmochimi7924]

i hope i'll find my own purpose it would make the whole process easier

[@AuthenticSelfGrowth]

I don't particularly enjoy my job all of the time. But I do know that when I persevere through the challenges I get stronger and more capable. I'm able to control my emotions and state better. This helps work be more bearable. Also at the moment many people are facing financial difficulty. Be grateful that you have a job 🙏🏽

[@payalalam8738]

Bearable!!?

[@YankaRonin]

If your job, after perseverance is only "bearable", you probably need a different job, or are a masochist.

[@cristysistona6234]

It's the great thing to do to avoid anxiety and stress

[@headoverbars8750]

I was just discussing this very thing with my wife yesterday... even used Henry Ford as my example lol.

[@Sicaoisdead]

Literally at work right now. And yes very unhappy.

[@bishopoftroy]

It's not only about seeing the fruits of labor but getting rewarded - mainly in the form of respect you get.

[@juleeanng]

Well that's an external motivator and the way people are you can't control their minds, actions, them as a person... So don't rely on people to motivate you. The only that matters is your self - respect.

[@MrsCyImsofly]

I need a new life on so many levels

[@payalalam8738]

I would just say it's never late to try. I hope you aren't stuck in a bad financial situation...

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

You and me both, friend.

[@nickb638]

It definitely needs to be discussed is how this apathy or conflict with our jobs is not experienced to the same magnitude in many other countries.

[@mcconkeyb]

Humans are not robots, but 99% of all work is structured to be performed without thought or input from the worker. If you want a better job, find one where you can be a human while you work. But be prepared to start your own company, as most don't care about the workers, even thou they claim to have the highest considerations for their workers.

[@patrickbrawner2438]

I had so much optimism after graduating college but over time I have lost much of that optimism. After having 7 corporate type jobs I wonder whether there is such a thing as a fulfilling “job”. And the bigger the company, the worse it is IMO because you are that much more disconnected from other people in the organization.

[@payalalam8738]

Simon Sinek - ofcourse completely unsatisfied with the nature of work. I resigned recently in December because it's frustrating if you don't love what you do (for an earning) 😊. Thankfully I had the choice to quit but my husband doesn't., 😔😑

[@brendarua01]

This is all very interesting. I hope it helps everyone. I feel very lucky to have a good job at a university doing data management. I love the ix of consulting and technical. The people and leaders are great. Being around kids, smart kids, there to learn, is very stimulating. And fun. Everyone has something that fulfills them. Find it!

[@talyahr3302]

That does sound fun! Thanks, you too (:

[@jojobovine4279]

Fixating on impact and purpose leaves out the DOING of work. For a gardener, blacksmith, janitor, a writer - hell, even someone who just works with spreadsheets all day - there can be joy and purpose in simply the motions of work. Yes, knowing you're creating something valuable or adding value to something is important. But the often-repetitive uses of body and/or mind can be fulfilling themselves. It's something Zen Buddhism has down pretty solidly. We are in this world to move through it, and we should appreciate and attend to those movements. Meditate on that.

[@brightphoebesays]

I think making shoes by hand would be a really neat job. I'm 48, empty nest, divorced, home owner, and need to decide what to do with the rest of my life. I've never been able to choose where I live, and only to a marginal extent where I work. WHen I tried to exert some control over my schedule, I was chastised. I need an employer who makes use of my potential, not shames me for aiming higher. I don't want to be anyone's minion anymore.

[@glen4326]

I'm 41. I barely remember one meeting with a high school counselor my senior year about selecting a college. I didn't apply to any. I wish I remembered what she told me and how that could have been the most pivotal step in my life.

[@magnethomewood]

I'm sorry, I found most, if not all the ideas presented here to be much too abstract. These thinkers should try to link the ideas with some real-life situations.

[@GajanaNigade]

What?

[@nachiketdaithankar4405]

Partly agree ...but Peterson's part was pretty specific. Really small, incremental steps,day after day. Doesnt matter what you do,the fact that you're doing hard things and getting good at something,even if it's a tiny bit,is important.

[@juleeanng]

I think you will only be able to understand when you care enough about finding meaning in what you do in your daily life. When you find yourself questioning that you will be nodding to this video all the way through.. I don't think there can a be specific example, this is all a journey for those who have or those who are experiencing it...

[@juleeanng]

@@nachiketdaithankar4405 yep that's as specific as it can get..

[@0Fallacy]

We need to convert this with AI into actionables, anyone up for the task? Just paste this transcript into ai and ask it to convert it into actionables for us. I don't know how to do this yet or I would

[@YankaRonin]

They talk only about "patterns in the brains and general intimacy needs" as if reading from a book. In real world, those "patterns" and "emotional needs" have formed around actual content based on experiences and universal human values, and awareness level on what's happening around the world. You can't go around convince people to open up to just anyone. If you do, you are very likely to be prying, as usually people don't disclose details about their personal life, why they are doing what they are doing, even if they are fully aware. "I'm here to make a living", or "I'm here to have a job that can add to my career, but is not my dream job, and just doesn't suck" are valid reasons. If we need to tell people that "every job can be a dream job if they change their minds about it hard enough", we need to re-evaluate the whole system and our attitude towards human condition.

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

well said

[@adumbberg]

Meaning is more important than money.

[@adumbberg]

@Good Joke Are you suggesting that the meaning found by the likes of Jesus, the Buddha, etc. is invalid?

[@adumbberg]

@Good Joke You can do whatever you like. I was the recipient of a homeless person that spread a little beauty my way a couple nights ago.

[@audrieav6007]

I enjoyed this video cos it comes at a time when I’m thinking of re-entering the workforce. I would also like to see a woman’s perspective on this though 😊

[@dtnguyen75]

How come David Graeber is not on the panel? His book "Bullshit Jobs" is a fantastic read.

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

Yes! Finally someone mentions it.

[@MatthewSmith-uf6tr]

I have a good gov job that pays 54k a year, I don’t do anything and I hate it. I’m so bored all I do is drive all day. What can I do to find something meaningful or something I can tolerate?

[@Darkmatter416]

It's amazing how these men just dance around confused why people hate their jobs unable to even posit that it could just be our capitalistic mode of production

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

People who work in non profits can hate their jobs too

[@shway1]

@@justadudeintheworldman.120 workplace democracy is a thing

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

It's amazing how leftists present the same cliche sound bites with no evidence or reasoning. Do better.

[@shway1]

@@user-sv3dm7ws6q have you tried asking nicely for an elaboration of statements they make without evidence because to them they are basic and obvious?

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

@@shway1 Of course. The problem is these people call you racist when you question their claims. Do you really not know how these people operate?

[@sidewinder2057]

It's impossible for everyone not even enjoying - liking their job. What about garbage men, sewer cleaners dozens of other unpleasant jobs that are necessary for our survival? Some jobs NEED to be done and we have to value these people and pay them accordingly.

[@ScooterCat64]

Some people enjoy being garbage men, maybe not sewer cleaners though...

[@farzadjahanfard]

I don't have a carrier my problem is I can't find one

[@Abell_lledA]

Narrative of Great Ape is a product of a feedback loop between “Separate Self” and Cosmos. Non-Duality.

[@JeffreySiereveld]

This could easily be titled "Unhappy Doing Stuff" but I'm unemployed at the moment.

[@MegaKootz]

its just a non starter to insist that everyone has a job, while at the same time working to make jobs cheaper by replacing people with automation. Americans are in need of some serious help as we are just about as close as a country can come to complete corporate enslavement. We are only free to be profitable.. beyond that, we are slaves to the pigs in suits... The jobs are going away, automation and ai will make this even worse. Expecting Americans to hold jobs is insane at this point. Like being told to breath air on the moon.

[@payalalam8738]

Many have jobs and many don't. Here the discussion is about the people who have job yet they hate it..

[@payalalam8738]

AI will make things better.. We need time to absorb the transition phase wherein the automation will start completely and humans will be asked to do what we like. I have a positive outlook on it.

[@zbraswell92]

But before mass manufacturing and mass productions, clothes & shoes were astronomically expensive. Now almost the entire world has clothes, has available to food & water, and has a home to sleep in. Before conveyorbelts and mass production, people suffered & truly struggled to survive. Yes, humanity lost some of the personal connections and high-level craftsmanship, but more people are clothed, fed, and alive world wide.

[@kekeandrei6773]

Solutions gentlemens, solutions. Explaining it does not make it better.

[@frankthemousepie]

Workers: We're unhappy because we work shit jobs for shit pay Them: No you just need to find your purpose, then you'll feel better! Let's be honest, most of us have something productive we'd do if we could afford it. I'd choose to work with animals/rescues, but those jobs wouldn't be enough to pay for my family's needs. If people were paid well and not overworked and still unhappy THEN we can address finding the meaning of life and whatnot. So yeah... Rich-splaining not really helpful >_>

[@UAEbboy]

Thank you well said exactly what I was thinking!

[@samantarizzi248]

You said it perfectly! I definitely wholeheartedly agree! This whole system of out society is bullshit. Plain and simple. I would LOVE to work with rescues, I would be in the shelter all day every day, enjoying what I do because I would help animals. But I barely have time to go help even a little bit because I work in a busy cafe and I work with food preparation (brunches, sandwiches and breakfasts, cakes and milkshakes) and I’m exhausted at the end of the day even though I kind of like what I do, I still don’t think this career path is fulfilling my life. I also work with other people there and some girls I work with are a pain in my ass! Today I’m having such a tough day. 😩

[@samantarizzi248]

Right. Thanks. @@ooievaar6756

[@ushakov2010]

Искусственный интеллект или искусство интеллекта. Вячеслав Ушаков @

[@kimharris2599]

Well I believe it gets back to having a means to a purpose telentology. As we become older we become more aware of what matters. We reflect upon our past experiences and outcomes . Henceforth the purpose becomes more meaningful. Society conditions us. We don't condition ourselves . We learn we develop we reach potential goals or we don't reach expectations. We are encapsulated in a cycle of social conditioning. As humans our individual biological and physiological clocks are not in time with the work clock . We adjust and in the process become disillusioned to the point hey this is not for me. Everything is linked to survival and money. We do what we do yet become so stereotyped we lose our real purpose living naturally . Then as we become older why did I waste my life , and question our decisions. Why did I put up with the stress, not being appreciated, greed, and waste my life. Do what is real , do whats inside you and listen to your body , mind and spirit.

[@iboremytherapist]

JP!!!

[@irnaho7733]

I don't even like my job

[@mindexpandingknowledge409]

Look at how immigrants hustle when they go abroad. Seen from this perspective is a whole entire thing than self-actualization and meaning. It's about sheer survival, determination, ambition, and sheer stubbornness. Every day with resilience to serve coffee, wash cars, nurse, drive taxis, serve shawarma, etc. Because their lives depend on it and they want to build a safe nest for their family. All for their next generation kids who will one day want to self-actualize and work with a meaning.

[@JonathanBester-eh9cl]

Automation kills jobs and creates profits for greedy corporations. Therefore all workers will one day become unemployed because they will be replaced. Once upon a time, before the Industrial Revolution, there were jobs for everyone because humans were required to do both the "Thinking" jobs and the Manual jobs. Nowadays a machine can replace most humans in almost any field that relies on repetition due to the implementation of complex algorithms in a controlled system. Example - A machine can make perfect car parts more efficiently and cost effectively than any human BUT a machine cannot perform surgery on a human.....

[@JonathanBester-eh9cl]

So.... When will Universal Basic Income(UBI) be implemented to feed the unemployed? Surely those profits from a reduced labor force could fund UBI instead of making CEOs into Billionaires

[@Sheridantank]

Automation is a great thing. Most the jobs they will replace first are nothing but bad for mental health. Like repetitive factory jobs that a 5 year old can learn. My last job for example... I stood in one spot and put a slice of frozen cheese on every sandwich that passed on the conveyer belt. One every couple seconds, endlessly for the whole shift. The first person put the bread on the belt. Second person separates top from bottom, then the meat, then me, toppings, etc. It took 10 seconds of training. It’s what I call monkey work. There was a time that just having hunting, agriculture, and building skills was all you needed to survive. You just needed the land to do it on. Now you can have those skills and be shelterless and hungry. Universal income, proper taxation of multi billion dollar companies, and self sufficiency would solve many of our problems. There’s no reason to be homeless or hungry in an economy with this much money.

[@Jcrpdx]

Before automation life was better??? How did we light & heat homes during the winter in the old days?

[@dcran33]

Dies make car parts, but you need a tool and die journeyman to make engineering changes or trouble shoot on the press line when quality dept has an issue. And you need pressline operators, and rackers at the end of the line. Tesla tried to automate the auto industry and Elon quickly learned humans are more efficient currently.

[@akshaysehgal8944]

@ 0:00-1:21(1x)👍 @ 1:22 suddenly (2x)😂

[@importantname]

it is called work - not leisure. It is a myth that you get to choose what you must do to survive, of course the lucky few get their chosen career that they enjoy for the rest of their life. The fact is that the vast majority would only do what we do for money, and yet we are still taught that work is fun.

[@nicolasm400]

Workplace democracy

[@nachiketdaithankar4405]

Aaron Hurst and Peterson are the only ones being specific. Simon Sinek's part towards the end is so cringey,typical self help guru bullshit ...being vague AF.

[@JJ-vk2iw]

Raising a family...lmfao. bro I'm just trying to pay for my car insurance just to get to work.

[@GajanaNigade]

Fnck! When I have to educate my customers on why what we're doing together is important & they don't give a shit because they have to show something done to the management, that's the most disappointing thing for me. No one seems to give a shit about the product or the end user of the product.

[@yocampout]

We don't meet the customer??? We are all students, patients, car owners, food eaters, home dwellers etc. We ARE our customers. Yes, there are some terrible leaders out there but you are the one in control of your own attitude.

[@bryansmurphy]

Is Big Think aware that there are these people called women who also have insights on things. Seriously, this is a long video with a lot of people and they are ALL white dudes!

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

ah left wing identity politics racism. do better.

[@ScooterCat64]

Gotta hit those check boxes!

[@TheDeltaChannel]

Did you know that Camels can Drink 30 gallons of water in 13 minutes!

[@Talkinglife]

How To Find Meaning in Life: 9 Simple Ways Learn the Lesson on Happiness. Yes, I know, you've heard it before: happiness is a choice. ... Follow Your Gifts and Talents. ... Make Great Connections. ... Goal Setting. ... Help Others. ... Do Something Different. ... Quit Watching TV. ... Do Something You've Always Wanted To Do.

[@pRopaaNS]

Should just learn how to code.

[@nicolasm400]

learn how to organize the workplace

[@GajanaNigade]

People don't realise how coding helps to organise the mind. I work in a non coding environment, a non coding job but whenever I can, I try to code. Even if it is a teenie tiny macro. Helps me calm down.

[@WillyJunior]

This is the way it's been for hundreds of years and I kind of feel like this is the way it should be. Work is supposed to be difficult and at times downright unpleasant, as we need some contrast and balance in life. You simply can't be having a good time all the time. The concept of the Hedonistic Treadmill explains why difficult and unenjoyable work is good for us.

[@harryj.barraza7718]

Not a single woman in the panel of experts.

[@klakiti02]

this is not a panel, This is a compilation of videos.

[@ThongNguyen-fl9jp]

I noticed the same thing. It's 2020, more diverse voices matter in talking about the meaning of work.

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

They are the ones making jobs miserable 😆

[@Retrohertz]

I've seen plenty of videos on TED and the Big Think consisting of only women. Does it matter, as long as they're contributing to the purpose of the video?

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

Irrelevant. go white knight somewhere else

[@Blobby_Hill]

that one guy looks like he has a face on his neck

[@hoosierfoodog]

It was somewhat interesting until Jordan Peterson came on. Absolute joke.

[@user-sv3dm7ws6q]

brilliant argument there pal

[@hoosierfoodog]

7 7 I don’t need to argue against Peterson’s childish perceptions of life 😭

[@nothingbettertodotbh4083]

didn't even listen to what he had to say then

[@Blobby_Hill]

that one guy looks like he has a face on his neck. paint him purple and he'll look like an eggplant

[@TheCuratorIsHere]

Sinek? Really? What a fraud that guy is.

[@Mike-nf6nf]

Unhappy at work? How to find your manager's family and destroy their sense of purpose