Is Your Work Worth It?: How to Think About Meaningful Work

by Christopher Wong Michaelson, Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, Christopher Michaelson

What is work that’s worth doing in a life worth living? A revealing exploration of the questions we ask and the stories we tell about our work.

According to recent studies, barely a third of American workers feel “engaged” at work, and for many people around the world, happiness is lowest when earning power is highest. After a global pandemic that changed why, how, and what people do for a living, many workers find themselves wondering what makes their daily routine worthwhile.

In Is Your Work Worth It?, two professors – a philosopher and organizational psychologist – investigate the purpose of work and its value in our lives. The book explores vital questions, such  

Should you work for love or money? When and how much should you work? What would make life worth living in a world without work? What kind of mark will your work leave on the world? This essential book combines inspiring and harrowing stories of real people with recent scholarship, ancient wisdom, arts, and literature to help us clarify what worthy work looks like, what tradeoffs are acceptable to pursue it, and what our work can contribute to society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Nicole Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way more technical and long winded than it needed to be. Don’t really feel like I got any takeaways at all.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not just about work as in jobs, delves into concepts and mindsets related to work in general.

[Foolishly Seasoned · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is DNF. I had really tried to read this book because I was hoping to find some more meaning in my work and got as far as 30 pages but couldn’t continue. This preface had mentioned David Robert jones then later on David Bowie. I was not aware these were the same individuals and had to stop reading to verify this information on my own. As I continued, I had trouble reading and re reading some of the paragraphs and I wasn’t sure what to make of the points they were attempting to make, I did feel like these could’ve been better addressed. A lot of introduction to a character to just run to another character, too many characters. I had a hard time with the writing wen it came down to the authors talking about themselves. They mentioned each other multiple times throughout the book but it was awkward to me because I didnt know if Christopher was speaking or Jennifer. It was a struggle reading this book and so I decided to stop. Maybe at another time I’d be inclined to try reading this again but for now I’ll be returning it to the library, unfinished.

[Zac Muncy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thoughtful Guide to Finding Purpose in Work

This book is a must-read for anyone questioning the deeper value of their career. The authors don’t just provide abstract theories—they offer practical frameworks, reflective exercises, and real-world examples that make you stop and think about what truly makes work meaningful.

What I appreciated most is how accessible the writing is. The book speaks equally well to professionals at a career crossroads, leaders trying to inspire their teams, or anyone simply seeking more purpose in daily work. It balances research with relatable stories, making it both insightful and easy to connect with personally.

Reading this has helped me step back and ask important questions about alignment between my values and my professional path. It’s a refreshing and much-needed perspective in today’s world of constant busyness.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to move beyond the “daily grind” and find real meaning in what they do.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the title conveying what may be perceived as a flippant question, this book has great depth. Written from a philosophical/ psychological angle, referencing studies in human behavior and many individuals’ stories, this helps provide a structure from which to evaluate work. Value is so much more than money, but often we (especially American work culture) reduce it to that. Often values are thought of as a given, but they can be actually quite difficult to articulate and weight against each other. I found this book incredibly helpful as a starting place from which to explore my own values and to begin to weigh what I’m giving up versus receiving from my work, and the motivators inherent in that.

[Todd Kashdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love is a book that is based on scientific evidence but is an easy, enjoyable read. A book that influences the way I think about work and life. And to me, there is nothing more paramount to "the good life" than sources of meaning.

As such, these two authors created a gem. The timing couldn't be better as work is going through an overhaul since COVID and work engagement keeps dropping in America and elsewhere.

They don't have the antidote to work problems because nobody does. But they do have the information and questions to help you make better decisions and live better.

Highly recommended.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many interesting perspectives and ways to think about work and how to measure if it’s worth it. I enjoyed these authors approach to information and research, a philosopher and professor of management.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Aditi Ukey · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't say anything I didn't already know. Very longwinded. Could be a tiktok video.