Do You Work to Live or Do You Live to Work?

by Irene Schiff

The eternal dilemma between judgment and redemption, renunciation and fulfilment.

Work ennobles man, even Adam, after having eaten the apple, was condemned to work. “Pray and work” was the well-known saying by the Benedettini. After having passed the exams, students, filled with doubt, often ask themselves: should I study or should I work? Often, to get to know someone, we ask: What kind of work do you do? And, following the response, our brain inevitably starts making all sorts of links: is this a career-oriented person, how much does she work, how much time does he dedicate to his family, how much does she make, what sort of friends does he have? Even if you don't ever have the answers to these questions, we unconsciously answer them ourselves and, sometimes, our attitude with this person is influenced on the basis of these assumptions. So, work influences us much more than we think whether it is ours or that of others. Almost all of us have a remunerated employment. Without money life can be tough, but often, when work only offers pay, it is not satisfying. We spend so many hours at the office that we want something more than money in exchange of that. But what? Recognition for the important commitment? Fairness for the diplomas obtained? A career? Flexible work hours? Compensation for the eventual frustration in other aspects of life? Friendships?

Maybe we want a mixture of all that, and a little add-on of surprises, pleasant of course! Just as there are people who prefer vanilla to fruit-flavoured ice cream, there are people who prefer to invest in their career and others who think it is essential to have good relationships with colleagues. And you? What do you prefer?

Test: How do you live your life?

1) If a friend entrusts an assignment to you:
a) he will be satisfied
b) it can be done well
c) he is still waiting for it

2) Do you get bored doing the same things?
a) as much as others
b) less than others
c) more than others

3) To you, a home has to be:
a) comfortable
b) elegant
c) spacious

4) Do you set yourself objectives?
a) sometimes
b) often
c) rarely

5) Your worse shortcoming is:
a) indecision
b) disorganization
c) lying

6) Your son has a few friends who come from “important” families; you:
a) say that he can see who he wants
b) try to know who all of your son's friends are
c) push him to hang out with “important” friends

7) Whoever has time to do things, should not waste it and act immediately; this proverb is:
a) stressing
b) right
c) it depends

8) At school, it is best to be:
a) first of the class
c) among the best three
d) average

9) You received an honorary title:
a) you hang it where everyone can see it
b) you hang it where it looks best
c) you don't hang it

10) You are getting to known new people; you try to:
a) learn what their hobbies are
b) learn what their work is
c) do small talk

11) You would like to learn how to play:
a) the guitar
b) the drums
c) the piano

12) Do you generally make a list of the things you want to do during the course of a day?
a) yes
b) no
c) sometimes

13) To have good a good bank account:
a) is very important
b) is important
c) is not that important

14) You finish everything that you begin:
a) often
b) sometimes
c) rarely

15) On Sunday night, you think:
a) the weekend went by so fast
b) about having a good time
c) about what you will do the following week

SCORE
Question A B C

EXPLANATIONS

FROM 45 TO 35 POINTS:
YOU LIVE TO WORK
To hold an important position, to be well-known, to be financially secure and, why not, to inspire envy in some people, are among the main reasons that you work and that you do many sacrifices. You can even think that family life is not for you and that an evening spent in conversations with friends is not worth the time you prefer spend on professional activities. If that is what you want, what you are doing is right, but are you sure that this is exactly and exclusively what you want?

FROM 34 TO 26 POINTS:
WORK YES, BUT NOT ONLY THAT
Work is an instrument necessary to live, but it's not your only objective in life. When work is over, another part of your day begins which is as interesting as what you did during your professional activities. You know how to measure strengths and expectations and, in your life, you don't invest in the same portfolio and know how to have balanced solutions. Generally, it's the best move.

FROM 25 TO 15 POINTS:
LONG LIVE FREEDOM
One job is as good as the other, what's important is that the atmosphere in which you spend so much time be as serene as possible. You try to base your relationships with your colleagues on friendliness and understanding, you are available to give a hand and you appreciate when the favour is returned. To work in such an environment is what everyone wishes, but don't forget that productivity is a big part of the job, so, yes, friendships are good, but don't turn this into a get-together at the bar!