Mindset story: The importance of finding meaning in your work

One bright morning, an old woman set out for a walk through her village. As she wandered along the cobbled streets, she came across a large construction site where three men were hard at work. She paused, intrigued by their labor, and decided to learn more about what they were building. She approached the first worker, a man who seemed weary and irritable. His movements were mechanical, and his face bore a look of frustration. The woman politely asked him what he was doing. Without looking up, he snapped, “Can’t you see? I’m laying bricks!” The woman noticed how he moved sluggishly, placing one brick after another with no enthusiasm. Curious, she asked if the work was difficult. He sighed and grumbled that it was one of the hardest jobs he had ever done. The hours were long, the sun was relentless, and the work was tedious. Every day felt the same, and he could not wait for the shift to end. The woman thanked him and walked a little further, stopping next to the second worker. Unlike the first man, this worker appeared more focused and methodical. She asked him what he was doing. He paused, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said, “I’m building a brick wall 30 feet tall, 100 feet wide, and 18 inches thick.” As he spoke, another bricklayer called out to him, pointing to a misplaced brick. The second worker frowned and said, “Hey, you just passed the end of the wall. You need to take off that last brick.” He then turned back to his task, determined to ensure precision. When the woman asked if the work was difficult, he nodded and admitted that it was tough, but it was a job that could be done with effort and patience.

Still curious, the woman moved toward the third worker. Though he was doing the exact same task as the others, something about him was different. He worked with a sense of energy and joy, his hands moving skillfully as he carefully placed each brick. She asked him what he was doing. The man looked up with bright eyes and a wide smile. “Oh, let me tell you!” he said with enthusiasm. “I am building the greatest cathedral the world has ever known!” His excitement was contagious, and the woman could tell that he saw his work as part of something much bigger than just bricks and mortar. Before he could continue, their conversation was interrupted by an argument between the first two workers. They were bickering over what to do about the misplaced brick. The first worker insisted that it had to be removed immediately, while the second worker argued about the extra effort it would take. The third worker calmly turned to them and said, “Hey, guys, don’t worry about it. This will be an inside corner. The whole thing will get plastered over, and nobody will ever see that extra brick. Just move on to the next layer.” He spoke with a confidence that reassured them, and the argument quickly died down. Turning back to the old woman, he beamed and added, “This is the best job I’ve ever had. Every brick I lay brings us closer to something magnificent. This work gives my life meaning.” The old woman smiled as she walked away, reflecting on the three men. Each was engaged in the same task, yet their perspectives were completely different. The first saw only labor, the second saw a technical project, but the third saw a grand vision.