Work has a mere four letters but it’s a big deal in our adult lives. It provides:

Money- Duh!

Financial Benefits- Work can provide medical insurance, retirement programs, and disability and life insurance. You probably also receive paid holidays and vacations.

Perks- Perhaps you receive occasional baseball tickets, a chance to win a trip to Hawaii or an audience with a famous person through your work.

Satisfaction- Despite all the griping about work, you feel satisfaction when you accomplish a task, whether it’s creating a product, completing a report, or leading a team to be injury-free for a year.

A place to compete- If you played sports growing up, you probably enjoy the competitive aspects of work: winning, keeping score, and ranking who sold the most or had the most billable hours.

A feeling of belonging to a team- For example, perhaps you’re “on the sales team for Territory X” or “on the legal team serving Client A.”

Opportunities for a leadership role- At work, you can get promotions. As you rise up the ranks, you can lead others.

An outlet for creativity- There is a creative aspect to all jobs, not just those in the arts or design fields. You can use your creativity in writing a winning sales proposal or constructing a successful medical solution.

Identity and status- “What do you do?” is the most common opening question at social or networking events. (Thankfully, “What’s your sign?” has run its course.) Your work is part of your identity. If you’re like most workers, being able to tell yourself and others, “I am a C.P.A.” or “I am a business executive” is important to you.

It’s no wonder work is so important to us!

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By Michelle Nichols.  Reprinted with permission from Hug Your Kids Today: 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent by Michelle Nichols. Copyright Michelle Nichols, 2008. More at www.HugYourKidsToday.com.