Work’s Role in a Meaningful Life: Laurie Ruettimann’s Perspective on Balance

In a recent LinkedIn post, Laurie Ruettimann explores the delicate balance between professional dedication and a fulfilling personal life, particularly in the context of American Labor Day. Ruettimann shares her observations from coaching thousands of individuals who, she suggests, have sometimes prioritized their jobs to the detriment of their broader lives.

Ruettimann opens by acknowledging the importance of work but firmly places it within the larger framework of a meaningful existence. She writes:

“I believe work can be important, but only in the context of a meaningful life. I’ve coached thousands of people at this point in my career who gave everything to a job because that’s the only way they know how to live their lives. I understand that, because a job worth doing is a job worth doing well. But too often that job ends up plugging a hole in their personal life. No hobbies. Feeling disconnected from themselves. Zero meaningful relationships outside of work. That was me too, at one point.”

The Importance of Life Audits

The core of Ruettimann’s message emphasizes the necessity of periodically assessing one’s life beyond the professional sphere. She advocates for self-reflection to ensure that work serves a larger purpose rather than merely filling a void.

As Ruettimann notes, while perfect balance may be elusive, regular introspection is crucial. She poses a direct question to her audience:

“It’s worth auditing the scope of your life once in a while. Ask yourself if the work is worth doing, and what it’s all for at the end.”

This call for an audit is rooted in Ruettimann’s personal philosophy that work’s primary function is to enable engagement in other, more personally fulfilling activities. She illustrates this with an anecdote about her friend, Jennifer McClure, who uses her professional earnings to fund her passion for horseback riding.

Work as an Enabler, Not an Identity

Ruettimann further elaborates on her perspective by explaining her own relationship with work. For her, income derived from employment is a tool that facilitates personal pursuits and experiences.

She highlights an example of this in action:

“For me, work pays me money so I can go do other things with my time. This summer I used some of that money to spend time with my bestie Jennifer McClure, who loves her job way more than I’ll ever understand, and uses the money you pay her as a keynote speaker, executive coach, and founder of DisruptHR to fund her other passion: riding horses.”

Ruettimann suggests that professionals like herself and McClure aim to model a life where work supports, rather than consumes, personal fulfillment. She concludes with a powerful reminder about self-worth:

“When you hire us, you hire people doing our level best to model the lives you want for yourself. We don’t get it right all the time. When we do, it’s magic. And it’s one small step toward the bigger point: your work is not your worth.”

Ultimately, Ruettimann’s post serves as a journalistic reflection on the importance of maintaining a holistic view of life, where career achievements are integrated into, rather than define, a person’s overall sense of value and happiness.