Are you someone who sees work as being separate from your daily life - as if the moment you step foot inside the door of your workplace, you become someone else, detaching your needs and desires from your physical body? Many of us feel required to follow the rules of a corporate entity in exchange for a paycheck. Is it any wonder we go home at night perplexed by the question, "Is there something more?"

Buddhism teaches us to be still and to not want. Christianity, to some degree, also leans towards this teaching. Eastern philosophies state that wanting leads to dissatisfaction, and in some cases that is true. But, even stagnancy can produce dissatisfaction, especially stagnancy in a job where you spend many hours of your daily life. Knowing the distinction between when to stay and when to go makes all the difference in the world. As the well-known verse goes, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I cannot accept, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Why the Disconnect?

First, let’s address the reasons why people work. Most of us work in order to make money that pays for food, clothing, and shelter, plus hopefully a little extra. Those fortunate few who are independently wealthy may work for other, more “aesthetic” reasons, however, if you are among the majority, working is your only known route to survival.

Does a squirrel ever question his nut ferreting when the tide of summer turns to colder climes? No one can feign to know the logic in a squirrel's business, but we assume he does what he does because his instinct tells him so. I doubt he ever stops to wonder if there's "something more." He needs food, so he finds it. He needs shelter, so he gets it. So, what of our instinct? The world is so different today than when compared with a hundred years ago. In America, and many other parts of the world, industry has taken over our lives.

A good majority of us work for a corporation because we have to - paying our mortgages and our racked-up credit card bills, car payments - or even our school loans (resulting from an education that did nothing for us but feed the machine ever more) - working for someone else because that's what everyone else does. It's been a long time since the agricultural society was mainstream, and even longer since the idea of agriculture first came into being thousands of years prior. A majority of us are far removed from the direct consequence of seeking sustenance.

Do you remember the last time you were stranded to fend for yourself, searching the branches of a berry bush for your next meal? Would you be able to recognize your instinct? Some of us are so far removed from the needs of our bodies and minds that it's like seven degrees of separation from the time we walk in the door of our employer to the time we take the first bite of mashed potatoes at dinnertime.

We don't barter our own skills with one another like we did in the old days, reaping the direct consequences of our labor. Instead we sell ourselves to employers who will pay us as they see fit for the service they need when they need it. And in the process, we lose something vital, while our talents go unexplored and un-witnessed. But, this is what a good majority of people do, separating their spirits from their bodies on a daily basis.

When to Stay

If you are grumbling about work because you’ve just gone through a merger and the company is undergoing a temporary shift in responsibilities, you might want to hold on until this momentary wave has passed. In this situation, you feel like your boss is supportive, you’re getting paid what you want, and you even feel good about what you do. It’s just that right now time is a little tight and people are not getting along like they used to – the boat is rocking.

Time will tell, but chances are, things will settle down once again, and the stress will pass. If you are grumbling because you just don’t like to take responsibility for yourself, to wake up in the morning and trudge out to the car, then you probably need to talk to a doctor about that. A good psychologist or some anti-depressant medication may be the answer, but that is beyond the scope of this article.

When to Go

Looking at the squirrel’s activities, a person might deduce, “It is what it is.” But, upon stepping foot inside the door of Corporate X one morning, you quickly realize for yourself that “it” not longer is what it is. If you feel like you’ve left something behind, or your heart is beating in your chest to turn back, then it might be time to say, “Hasta la vista….” Stress, dissatisfaction, or lack of a creative outlet may be rooting itself deep into your marrow and stealing the life right out from under you.

It's important to remember that work is an integral part of your being. You spend anywhere from 10 hours to 100 hours a week at your job. You can't discount that as being an empty space of time. You are not a vacuum from 9 to 5. If you are constantly trying to establish the seven degrees of separation from the time you walk in the door, to the reason you are really there, then maybe you ought to consider a change.

Support for Moving On

Guilt may be stopping you from pursuing your dreams. After all, what gives you the right to be asking yourself the million-dollar question when there are people starving around the world, or living in cardboard boxes? I'm not going to pretend to understand the situation that these people are going through, nor to minimize it in any way. However, if the starving population of the world were given the riches that we've been given in this country, I don't believe they would choose to go back to the poverty and starvation they know too well, except possibly out of compulsive habit.

People come to the United States seeking opportunity. We already live here; there is no struggle to make it this far. By not taking advantage of that opportunity, we are balking at the needs of those who aren't so fortunate. It is like the rich man who claims that money isn't very important to him. Ask his impoverished brother, and you'll find that money is very important. Money buys food and shelter. This country is a blessing.

This leads me to the fundamental structure of our fight to survive. Famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow, developed a chart showing the natural hierarchy of needs he noticed while working with monkeys early in his career. He discovered that certain needs take precedence over others. For example, if an animal or person is both parched as well as ravenous, he will tend to take care of his thirst foremost. This is because an organism can only survive for a few days without water, but without food alone, he can endure much longer. Maslow's hierarchy of needs was formatted in a pyramid shape with physiological needs at the base of the pyramid. These needs were listed as such:

6. Self-actualization

5. Aesthetic Needs

4. Esteem Needs

3. Love and Belonging

2. Safety and Security

1. Physiological Needs

Based on this hierarchy, where the greatest and most urgent need is at the base of the pyramid, the need for physiological satiation is of primary importance. Therefore, people who have a shortage of food, water, or shelter will require those needs to be met long before they ever reach the level of self-actualization as seen at the top of the pyramid. The next level is safety and security, which many people get stuck in - fear of losing one's security can hinder his growth. Above that is love and belonging - fitting into our societies, finding our niche with others. Self-esteem, the next rung on the ladder, plays into belonging to some degree.

Aesthetic needs may be frivolous to some, but to others, they are a necessary evil; many of us have a natural instinct to require aestheticism in one form or another. And, finally, there is self-actualization, which encompasses creativity and authenticity, playfulness and self-sufficiency.

So, basically, we all have needs, that if gone un-met, will deter our growth. Growth is inevitable. The opposite of growth is entropy. It’s important not to get stuck on any rung of the ladder too long.

Understanding Your Needs and Values

The first step, then, is to determine where on the ladder of Maslow's hierarchy you are currently stuck. If you are barely able to make ends meet and are struggling just to get your babies fed, then it's important to do what it takes to fulfill that need, to take care of business. However, if you've found a means to make that happen, and yet have enough time to consider the question, "What should I do with my life?" then, perhaps, you are a rung or two above the basics and need to move on.

If you are blocked by a fear of losing your security and safety, then you need to address that issue first, and continue on with your life. If helping other people absorbs you, then you are probably static at the love and belonging level. Be honest with yourself. If you help others because you feel the guilt of having too much, then you’re really not helping anyone. Eventually the resentment of dishing out hours and hours of your life for other people may build and leave you wondering, “Why isn’t this working?” There is nothing wrong with being at any level, as long as you know why you are there, you continue to grow, and you are happy and feel successful in your life. Do it for the right reasons. If you feel like something is missing, then it's time to address your needs.

Let's continue by doing a needs and values analysis. A needs and values analysis can be done in several ways. Start by asking yourself a series of simple questions:

• Do I have a family to feed and nurture?
• Am I independent with my own home or apartment?
• What are my bills like – school, car, credit cards, mortgage?
• Do I value time over money?
• Do I value relaxation over intellectual stimulation?
• Do I value security in my job?
• Am I naturally creative?

There are many good reading materials that can help you probe the answers to these questions and to many more. One such book is "What Should I Do With My Life?" by Po Bronson. In this book, Bronson includes stories about people who’ve succeeded, and people who are still trying to figure it out. He offers a great deal of insightful perspectives. It’s a good read for those who are still struggling with the question of what to do with their life and whether to make a change.

Another good choice is "I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It," by Barbara Sher. Or "Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career" by Herminia Ibarra. Just look through the Internet or browse the local bookstore to find a rich assortment of knowledgeable resources.

Once you've come to some conclusions, go back to your list of values. Really examine and weigh your answers. You may think that insecurity isn't stopping you from moving on, but why do you choke every time you consider owning your own business? You might think that money isn't that important to you - yet for some reason you need to buy a yacht just like your neighbor's, or decorate your house with expensive paintings. While you're evaluating your needs, look around at your house. Do you have lots of "stuff?"

Look at your use of time - do you find yourself always busy - never having time to slow down, yet as soon as you try to sit still, you get right back up again? Maybe you like to be busy. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum, do you tend to procrastinate, to swim lazily in the pool for hours on end while the dishes pile up? Maybe then, you value your time. Is your time spent drawing, reading, writing, cleaning, cooking, building or working on cars? Evaluate where your natural tendencies seem to gravitate. What inspires you the most? Learn to dig really deep into your psyche, to listen to the voices that consistently go unheard. It is very helpful to have a pen and paper handy when thoughts come to mind. Writing about your needs and values will dig up other needs and values that you may not have considered.

Number your needs in order of importance. Determine which ones you want to pursue, and which ones you could live comfortably without. Sometimes, while pursuing the next step in your life, you have to forego the comforts of money or material possessions, or even security. Knowing what you can and can't live without will help you tremendously to move forward. Allowing yourself the space to give up some things will open you up to receiving something else, and that may be worth more to you in the long run than you could even imagine.

After you've finally laid some groundwork, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I need to own my own business?
• Do I need to work from home? Do I need a creative career?
• Do I need to be perceived as successful?
• Do I need to help others in my life?
• Do I need to have a large savings?
• Do I need to retire early?
• Do I need to travel?

Notice how I didn't say "want." I used the word "need" because there is a huge difference between wanting something like a kid in a candy store, and needing something for long-term growth and self-fulfillment. Those long-term nagging suspicions should be addressed. Formulate all of your self-discoveries into a paragraph or two, a coherent examination that could be read by someone else, similar to a business plan. This will make it that much easier for you to understand.

Making the Match

The answers to your needs assessment and to the questions above will help you get started in locating the right career path for you. Once you've come to some conclusions about what you need, you've come a long way. Many people don't get to secure the career of their dreams because they don't even know what they want or need. Use your self-assessment and the bookstore to locate a variety of career options.

Look through the newspaper, telephone book, and Internet for ideas. Keep your eyes open for businesses or occupations you'd never considered. Anything could be suited to you – from lawyer to janitorial work, yoga instructor to voiceover artist. Keep in mind that menial jobs are good jobs for some people.

There is dignity in many occupations. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur or a religious guru to find meaning in your work. Remember, also, that finding meaning in your life and work may mean stripping down to the bare essentials, giving up things that you’re afraid to give up. As quoted by the character, Tyler Durden, in the screenplay for Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, “The things you own…end up owning you.”

Inquire of your friends for their ideas. Keep writing your ideas down, then mix them together, and pull them apart. Don't get pigeonholed into one idea if you can help it. Keep your options open and don't stop looking until you’ve found your match.