Hi, today I want to share an interesting topic, namely "work from income or income from work?", This question is about the causal relationship between work and income, The reason I chose the topic above is because many people get jobs from other people's income, so this seems cruel to some people, There are times when people are happy with their current job even though the income is not coming in then, they continued to do that kind of work because they considered it tempting when they got the results, that is a challenge in itself for people who have never earned a large income, fundamentally, income comes from work.
Let's explain why:
1. Work is a Source of Income
* Definition of Work: Work is an activity or undertaking undertaken by a person with the aim of achieving something, often for remuneration or a living. This can be formal employment (employee), entrepreneurship, or other productive activities.
* Definition of Income: Income is any form of economic income received by a person or organization, whether domestic or international, that can be used for consumption or to increase wealth.
* Logical Relationship: For a person to earn income (money or other forms of remuneration), they generally must perform work or productive activities that are valuable to others or the market. For example, a teacher receives a salary for teaching, a trader earns a profit from selling goods, and a farmer earns a harvest from cultivating the land.
2. Work as a Starting Point
In the economic cycle and in everyday life, work is the first step to generating income. Without work or productive contributions, it is very difficult to earn a sustainable income.
* You work (provide services or produce goods) \rightarrow You receive compensation (income).
* You invest (a form of capital "employment") \rightarrow You receive dividends or profits (income).
Exceptions and Nuances
While income generally comes from work, there are several nuances to consider:
* Passive Income: There are forms of income called passive income, such as property rentals, stock dividends, or royalties. However, it's important to remember that earning this passive income usually requires initial "work" or effort, such as purchasing property, saving and investing in stocks, or creating a work (book/song) that generates royalties. So, work here may not be a constant daily job, but there is significant initial effort.
* Social Assistance/Gifts: Social assistance from the government or gifts received may not be the result of direct work. However, these are exceptions and not the general model for how most people earn a living.
Conclusion
So, the correct answer is: Income comes from work. Work is the activity or effort performed, and income is the reward or result obtained from that activity. Work is the cause, and income is the effect.
What about work where the results aren't yet visible? This is an important question because it touches on aspects of motivation, long-term vision, and sustainability. In my opinion:
1. Look at the Purpose & Meaning of the Work
✅If the work aligns with long-term values and goals (for example, building skills, networks, or a potential business), it's natural that financial results won't be immediately visible.
✅Many initial jobs or ventures take time to see results (for example, years in creative fields, research, or business).
2. Evaluate Progress, Not Just Results
✅Measure the growth of skills, connections, and experience.
✅Are there signs that this work has the potential to produce results (even if not yet)?
If it's stagnant without direction, the strategy needs to be evaluated.
3. Balance Financial Needs
✅If life's needs are pressing, you can seek additional income temporarily while continuing your long-term work.
✅Don't let idealism make daily life financially stressful, as that pressure can actually stifle creativity.
4. Signs It's Worth Continuing
✅There's audience/client growth, even if it's small.
✅There's an opportunity for advancement in a few months/years.
✅You feel you still have motivation and energy.
5. When Should You Stop or Pivot?
✅If you've been in a position for a long time (e.g., >2-3 years) but haven't seen significant progress (no skill improvement, no network, no income growth), you may need to change your strategy or even change fields.