Most people work simply to make money. For them, it’s a means to an end.

Indeed, work is a modern imperative. (While I know some people who have survived without earning any money over the past few years, they are few and far between. They’re also lonely and depressed.)

Most people don’t really care about what they do for work. They applied to a bunch of jobs, and eventually got one. Or maybe a family member thrust a job upon them. Still others bought or started an unremarkable business because they thought it’d be a good or easy way to make money.

Sooner or later, these people realize they’re unfulfilled. Their work doesn’t matter to them, which means it won’t matter to anyone else, either.

Odds are, their work doesn’t involve helping people, or making a difference. They aren’t working on new and exciting things. They’re stuck doing the same crap every day. Nothing ever changes.

Most people are just going through the motions each day at work. There’s no creativity, no spark. No collaboration. No advancement. No hope.

Remember, if it doesn’t matter to you, it won’t matter to others.

Each day, tell yourself you’re going to make a difference, and odds are, you will. Help a coworker out. Go the extra mile to fix something. Suggest a new project to your boss. Start a side project. Learn a new skill. When your work matters to you, it will matter to others, and you’ll no longer be working just to earn a paycheck. You’ll be earning happiness, fulfillment, and respect.