Rebuilding Your Relationship with Work

Hey Funlifers,

Let me ask you something:

Do you actually enjoy your work?

If not, you’re not alone. Most people don’t. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Over the years, I’ve had to completely rebuild my relationship with work — not just for myself, but for the people I love, and the lifestyle I want to live.

This week on the podcast, I broke down some of the biggest mindset shifts that helped me do just that. Here’s the short version:

1. Build Your Lifestyle First, Then Align Your Work

Start by defining what kind of life you want — the pace, the values, the income, the relationships. Then ask:

Does my work support that, or sabotage it?

If your job doesn’t align with your desired lifestyle, something needs to shift — either in your career path or your expectations.

2. Audit Your Workday: Energy vs. Drain

We all do things at work we don’t enjoy. But the key is to know what drains you and what fuels you.

Ask yourself:

What tasks energize me?

What completely drain me?

If possible, delegate or minimize the draining stuff. Your fulfillment will skyrocket when your work is mostly made up of things that excite you and make you feel productive.

3. Detach from Titles & Comparison

Your title is not your identity. Your salary isn’t your worth.

Let go of the ego that makes you compare yourself to others.

The comparison trap is one of the biggest sources of stress in our lives — and it’s optional.

4. Find Purpose, Progress, and Autonomy

These three things — according to Daniel Pink — are the keys to intrinsic motivation:

• Purpose: Doing work that matters to you

• Progress: Feeling like you’re getting better

• Autonomy: Having control over how and when you work

Find a role, company, or path that gives you even two out of three, and you’ll be far happier than chasing status or money alone.

5. Redesign Your Environment

Physical and digital clutter = mental clutter.

Clean your workspace. Organize your tabs. Upgrade your setup.

A small shift in your environment can dramatically change how you feel about working.

6. Set Strong Boundaries

Boundaries = freedom.

When you don’t shut off from work, it will bleed into your relationships, your health, and your energy.

Create hard stops in your workday

Take real breaks — not just lunch at your desk

Use your PTO. Go on vacations. Miss work enough to miss it.

7. Choose a Job, Career, or Calling — But Be Honest

There’s a difference between:

• A job: You do it for a paycheck

• A career: You build it for long-term growth

• A calling: It’s tied to your identity and values

None of these are wrong — but you’ve got to be honest about what stage you’re in and what you’re really looking for.

Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Work — You Get To

Work doesn’t have to be miserable.

You have more control than you think.

You get to choose your path. You get to choose your hours. You get to say “yes” to the life you want — and “no” to the one that’s misaligned.

So… what do you want your work to look like?

Let’s build it.

If this hit home, reply to this email and tell me what resonated. I’d love to hear from you.

Listen to the full podcast episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cxrhgbP7Z4sQvOH0WBC3U?si=654fedd8af8a4bb4