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Work is a vast topic that raises many questions: Should I work? What is the meaning of work? How do I find work? What kind of work do I want to do? These questions often linger in my mind.
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Podcast of this article generated by NotebookLM
Work_ A Personal Reflection.wav
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Now is an ideal time to discuss this topic because:
a) Recent years have been a period of exploration and transition for me;
b) I need to figure out principles for my job search in a new continent;
c) Many of my peers are pursuing jobs, and I may need a job offer within two years;
d) I’ve had meaningful conversations with friends about this topic.
Having worked for 8 years, I’m currently taking a deliberate break from employment. Thanks to prior effort, I can afford not to work during my studies while managing my daily expenses. This freedom allows me to explore opportunities that align with my interests rather than feeling pressured to take any available role.
Recently, I had an insightful conversation with my professor about finding one’s first customer. I believe you should be your first customer—You must love your own product before selling it to others. Though we initially disagreed, we reached common ground through the concept of empathy. The key takeaway: Version 1 is for yourself [^1]; you must first convince yourself of its value.
My primary principle is to pursue work I’m passionate about within my areas of expertise [^2]. I don’t want to feel burdened by work but rather feel motivated and engaged. I’ve found such fulfilling roles twice in the past decade.
First, I transitioned from a fan to an employee at my dream company, progressing from intern to product assistant and finally to product manager. Second, I serendipitously discovered a role that perfectly matched my experience and interests.
Now in Canada, I aim to find a similarly fulfilling role, whether working for others or myself.
A friend of mine wrote a 60,000-word article titled “Happiness Bonus” [^3], arguing that those without financial constraints should prioritize work they genuinely want to do over pursuing money or fame. This resonated strongly with me.
This approach explains why my former colleagues often wondered why I seemed so motivated without complaint. My drive came from within—it was my internal passion and curiosity pushing me forward. Take this article as an example: I'm writing it during my leisure time and edited it several times because I believe it's valuable [^4], not because anyone asked me to do it. In contrast, when I’m required to do something I don’t believe in, I’m easily distracted and unmotivated.