Sacrifice and hard work in work?

and from the Huberman Lab delve into the importance of finding meaning and purpose in work by tying efforts to contributions beyond oneself.

Andrew Huberman highlights that attaching your goals to something that benefits others transforms the effort involved into its own reward. This concept, discussed alongside David Yeager, emphasizes that understanding the "why" behind your actions can help you endure difficulties. Contributions to a community, even at a smaller scale like a family or classroom, make the hard work feel more meaningful and fulfilling 1.

Moreover, Yeager discusses the evolutionary advantage of showing value to a group, suggesting that striving for others rather than personal gains can improve social status and provide a stronger motivational drive. This sense of contribution can transform the perception of hard work and failure from a negative experience into a noble pursuit 1.

Focusing on contributions to others can lead to higher life satisfaction and well-being. Experimental data supports this, showing that people are more motivated by the potential to help others rather than by personal, material gains. This approach helps individuals endure tedious or frustrating tasks by linking them to a broader, more meaningful objective 2.