Money Can’t Buy Happiness

There I said it; now do I believe it? I used to argue with my boss at the gym about this all of the time. “Liz, money is everything. Without money you can’t be happy.” We’d go on and on, back and forth.

My opinion, in words, was that money can’t make you happy. It doesn’t make us enjoy life. But did I live it? Did I believe it on a subconscious level? Was I behaving and acting that way?

Covert & Overt Signs

This past week I had multiple things happen, some I recognized right away as teachable moments, others were more hidden in truths that were to be later discovered. Here are a few examples that highlight this lesson: if you’re chasing the dollar you won’t get very far.

• Tuesday I had a call with my coach. It was rough. I was in a sour mood and totally down on myself. It even got to the point where Alicia finally said to me: “Not to be harsh, but you’re just going to have to stop it.” (Well, not in so many words, but it was a ‘get out of your misery’ wake up call). This was then followed by my blurting out: “I’ve been doing this crap for money. I feel I need to make money to be a legitimate business owner and if I don’t I just have a hobby. But this isn’t what I want to do so of course the money won’t come!” The call left me totally empowered to shift gears and focus with much more clarity on what I want to do, regardless of the dollar signs.
• Wednesday I was reading some posts in one of my social media groups. A nurse was talking about being in debt and looking to go back into some bedside nursing work, which would ultimately jeopardize her entrepreneurial activities. She wanted to do more coaching and work on her business, but her large loan was making her think with her head and not with her heart. Again, was doing the ‘right’ thing, getting a job that would pay with certainty, compromise her hopes and dreams thus leaving her feeling empty inside?
• Thursday I was sitting in my director’s office, enjoying my annual evaluation. She handed me a piece of paper and said: “We’re no longer basing pay increases on merit. Everyone gets X%, no matter what they do.” We talked about money, value and passion. I said to her, “Money shouldn’t make a difference. If you love your work, feel as though you provide meaning and value in what you do, you do it regardless of your pay. It shouldn’t matter or not if you get a raise; the important thing is that you love your job.”

Working for the Yankee Dollar

Nursing is a noble profession. We are constantly voted as the most trusted group, year after year. Why then don’t we make more money?

I’m constantly hearing about nurses leaving one job to find another that pays more. Going from being employed at an organization to joining an agency as a way to boost one’s income. Even working two jobs or at multiple organizations to make ends meet.

This isn’t a way to live. This can’t be a way to enjoy one’s life. But we do it. And why is that?

The Great Disconnect

Right now we link money to hours worked. Clocking in and out and getting paid per hour on shift. Equating your value with your income.

But this isn’t right. Money’s not about worth, about value. Money is like any other form out there. It’s an energy that comes and flows. It can be lost, taken away, gained or shared. It can get stuck or blocked or it can move with ease.

When we let go of working for money we free ourselves to so much joy.

Work Not for Pay

I challenge you to enjoy your job regardless of the money you make. Instead of looking at your salary as the benefit of your work, look at what you love about your role.

If you can’t find anything enjoyable about your job, then maybe it’s time to find a new one. And even if you’re thinking, “But I make six figures doing what I do now. I’ll never find another job that pays that well!” Guess what? You could make more doing what you love, working in a place you enjoy.

When you stop chasing the dollar the dollars will flow with ease. Let go of looking at money as the only perk to your work. Find meaning and value from the job you enjoy.

I’d love to hear from you! What job would you love to do without worrying about the pay? Have you ever made a career change or choice based on something other than income? Let’s hear from you and enjoy a discussion below.