The Hierarchy of Work Motivation

Me: What's your work motivation?

Client: Paying my bills, paying for my kids' education, buying a house, exotic vacations, .... retiring at 50, time with my family, .... joy.

This is a question that I ask quite often in my coaching sessions. Inspired by the discussions with my clients, I created the Hierarchy of Work Motivation. 

(Scroll down to read more about each stage ...)

We first work for Money, in order to support our basic needs. 

As soon as we reach a good level of financial prosperity, we realize that Time is a more precious resource than Money. As a result, we start working to get more Time, by creating money-generating systems, such as investments, products or services which can be sold multiple times, self-running businesses, etc.

Once we reach this stage, we understand that Joy is actually the Queen of resources. Money is necessary to support our basic needs, Time is great if we know how to use it in our favor, but Joy is a really scarce resource nowadays - yet the only one that will ‘buy’ us Enthusiasm, Energy, Health and Happiness.

Which stage are you at?