by Todd Pheifer

Created on: November 04, 2009

Work takes up a large portion of life, and it is a shame when people do not enjoy what they do. Granted, life cannot always be about fun and entertainment, and sometimes work is more about obligation than it is about personal fulfillment. Some people work because they need to pay their bills and provide for their family. When that is the case, they may not necessarily have a large number of options when it comes to personal freedom. Still, it is something to strive for when it comes to ones vocational path. Here are a few thoughts on why personal freedom is important in a person's choice of work.

Doing what you love

If people spend forty, fifty, or sixty hours a week at work, it would be nice if theycould choose their vocation. In other words, it would be best if people could do a job that they enjoy and that utilizes their skills and abilities. When people have the freedom to choose a job that fits their personality and their interests, it can make life much more enjoyable and give the individual a much greater sense of purpose in life.

Stress reduction

Having personal freedom in ones choice of work can also be a stress reducer. When people are unable to make major choices in their life, they can feel a bit "trapped", which can cause individuals to be all the more frustrated with things like vocation. Frustration leads to stress, which can compound into poor physical health and deeper levels of stress if things do not change over time. Therefore, having the freedom to choose a certain type of work can impact the physical and mental health of the individual.

Ownership

Finally, there is the issue of productivity and job satisfaction. When people have the opportunity to choose their own work, they are more likely to put a full effort into their job and seek to improve the organization as well. People may go to work every day, but that doesn't mean that they intend to work hard or look for ways to help the company. However, when people have the freedom to determine their own vocational destiny, they may be more likely to be "invested" in the process, which can lead to higher production and a greater desire to go above and beyond the call of duty. For many people, personal freedom is a major component of their own happiness. The choice of vocation is just one example of where personal freedom can be vitally important.

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