Sometimes it is about the money

In Career Management is About Money (no longer online) Scot Herrick reminds readers that when it comes to work, money matters. For businesses, it’s always about the bottom line. For many knowledge workers, however, there can be other considerations.

The myth of loving your work

We are constantly told to love what we do, to go the extra mile for no additional pay, and to be loyal to companies that may lay us off without warning.

Bosses expect us to use words like 'passionate' when describing how we feel about what can be mundane work. Well balanced, mentally healthy people are not naturally passionate about most aspects of their work.

These messages create a disconnect between effort and reward, leaving workers undervalued. Large multinational corporations often rely on employees’ dedication to maintain high profits, sometimes at the expense of fair pay.

We've all seen instances where large multinational corporations making vast profits have leaned on people to give time and energy in return for… nothing.

Financial planning is essential

Herrick advises thinking about saving for retirement and treating your career like a business. By valuing your time and work, you set boundaries that protect your financial and personal well-being. Ignoring this principle risks giving away your energy and skills for nothing, while others reap the rewards.

Value your time and work

If you don’t value your time, nobody else will. Recognising the monetary worth of your work is not selfish; it’s essential for sustainable career growth and financial security. With practical financial awareness, knowledge workers can take control of both their careers and their future.

Be pragmatic

Loving your job is important—you don't want to toil for years at something you hate—but it should never come at the cost of your financial health. Treating your career strategically means that your work is fairly rewarded, today and in the long term.