I think you are confusing two questions... There is a difference between asking: what makes work enjoyable? And asking: what makes a work worth doing? I believe that ultimately, the latter is the most important question. And those who prioritize will find joy in doing activities they don't like and working with people they don't love.
You bring up an important point, thank you Kah. My assertion is that joy is part of the experience of fulfillment and further, part of what makes worth work doing. I agree that it's possible to experience meaning from unenjoyable experiences. The point I am making is that the experience itself—which is particularly shaped by the activities and people—are just as important to our direct experience of fulfillment as the external benefit of whatever the work is (i.e. worth doing).
My experience and observation has been that very few people will find joy in doing things they dislike with people they dislike, even if it's in service of something worthwhile. Particularly when the timeframe extends from short-term unpleasantness to years.
Have you seen something that suggests differently? I'm curious to hear if you have a counterexample.
True, Andrew - you could very easily be working on an inspiring mission and be miserable.
Who and How you work with others across your day-to-day is crucial.
Yes, exactly.
I think you are confusing two questions... There is a difference between asking: what makes work enjoyable? And asking: what makes a work worth doing? I believe that ultimately, the latter is the most important question. And those who prioritize will find joy in doing activities they don't like and working with people they don't love.
You bring up an important point, thank you Kah. My assertion is that joy is part of the experience of fulfillment and further, part of what makes worth work doing. I agree that it's possible to experience meaning from unenjoyable experiences. The point I am making is that the experience itself—which is particularly shaped by the activities and people—are just as important to our direct experience of fulfillment as the external benefit of whatever the work is (i.e. worth doing).
My experience and observation has been that very few people will find joy in doing things they dislike with people they dislike, even if it's in service of something worthwhile. Particularly when the timeframe extends from short-term unpleasantness to years.
Have you seen something that suggests differently? I'm curious to hear if you have a counterexample.
PS : it doesn't mean that doing things you don't like is optimal. Just that it is possible to do it with joy.