--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people perceive their occupation as…" description: "\"Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing.\" — Tom Rath" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png" --- # Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment… ![“Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing.” quote by Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png) > “Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing.” [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Many view work as harmful to wellbeing, overlooking its potential for fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Jobs can harm or help health. Key Takeaway Seek purpose and balance in work. Themes work wellbeing purpose balance Mood thoughtful optimistic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career change - burnout - remote work Key Concepts positive psychology job design Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your job energize you? - Can you redesign your role for health? A Different Perspective Not all jobs can be fulfilling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Detriment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detriment/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation/) [Occupation Detriment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation-detriment-516243/) [Overall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overall/) [Overall Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overall-wellbeing-516245/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-perceive/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Perceive Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive-occupation-516244/) [Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing/) ## Related quotes > [When top scientists and psychologists talk about what's important to our overall wellbeing and how satisfied we are with our lives, the only thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-top-scientists-and-psychologists-talk-about-what-s-important-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Don't worry about what you cant control, concentrate on what you can control, for that's the key to your overall wellbeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem-tihan/don-t-worry-about-what-you-cant-control-concentrate-on-what-you-can/) [Prem Tihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem-tihan/) > [When we look at what has the strongest statistical relationship to overall evaluation of your life, the first one is your career well-being, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-look-at-what-has-the-strongest-statistical-relationship-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The most important thing executives can do is send a very clear message to their employees that they care about each person's overall wellbeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-most-important-thing-executives-can-do-is-send-a-very-clear/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even though people spend more of their waking hours at work than anywhere else, people underestimate how work influences their overall wellbeing and daily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-though-people-spend-more-of-their-waking-hours-at-work-than/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I still think that we have a hesitance to talk about things racial. And I think we do it at our detriment. We go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-still-think-that-we-have-a-hesitance-to-talk-about-things-racial/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I'm certainly not one of those actors who remain in a dark place the entire time in order to be doing the scene. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-rhys/i-m-certainly-not-one-of-those-actors-who-remain-in-a-dark-place-the/) [Matthew Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-rhys/) > [“For Black women as well as Black men, it is axiomatic that if we do not define ourselves for ourselves, we will be defined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/for-black-women-as-well-as-black-men-it-is-axiomatic-that-if-we-do/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I'm a benefit to the city. I'm not a detriment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-moroun/i-m-a-benefit-to-the-city-i-m-not-a-detriment/) [Manuel Moroun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-moroun/) > [I just wanted to keep consistent and keep true to America and not seem contrived. I didn't want to seem contrived at all with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-champlin/i-just-wanted-to-keep-consistent-and-keep-true-to-america-and-not/) [Will Champlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-champlin/) > [Solidarity and interdependence, a sense of worth, a pride and hope in the future: these are positive gains for those who believe in progressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/solidarity-and-interdependence-a-sense-of-worth-a-pride-and-hope-in/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [At this point, I just do whatever... I want, to my detriment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doja-cat/at-this-point-i-just-do-whatever-i-want-to-my-detriment/) [Doja Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doja-cat/) > [When 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' premiered on the WB Network in 1996, American culture was in trouble. Americans were bowling alone, pursuing individual interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/when-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-premiered-on-the-wb-network-in-1996/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [I do think I'm very in the detail of everything, maybe to my own detriment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/griff/i-do-think-i-m-very-in-the-detail-of-everything-maybe-to-my-own/) [Griff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/griff/) > [Hypocrisy is a detriment to progress. There's always a hidden agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-flynt/hypocrisy-is-a-detriment-to-progress-there-s-always-a-hidden-agenda/) [Larry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-flynt/) ## More by Tom Rath > [Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/every-day-i-read-about-new-ideas-and-research-that-could-help-someone/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-ve-seen-people-be-effective-even-among-local-teams-by-offering/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [If you want people to understand that you value their contributions and that they are important, the recognition and praise you provide must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/if-you-want-people-to-understand-that-you-value-their-contributions/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/on-average-spending-time-with-your-boss-is-consistently-rated-as-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Once your brain initially processes something, you are less likely to retain the information if you are not physically active in the period following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/once-your-brain-initially-processes-something-you-are-less-likely-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I would absolutely recommend against excessive positivity and optimism. Any positive emotion that you're infusing into a workplace needs to be grounded in reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-would-absolutely-recommend-against-excessive-positivity-and/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-vast-knowledge-we-have-to-prevent-cancer-heart-disease-and-other/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Positive defaults protect you from yourself - and that helps you to make decisions in the moment that are better for your long-term interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/positive-defaults-protect-you-from-yourself-and-that-helps-you-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/making-better-choices-takes-work-there-is-a-daily-give-and-take-but/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Having fewer unhealthy days and, in turn, more days when you have the energy to get things done is probably the global constant through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/having-fewer-unhealthy-days-and-in-turn-more-days-when-you-have-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-if-people-just-change-two-or-three-things-that-they-are-able-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [People with high levels of wellbeing have been careful to work out early in the morning and not to have heavy meals throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/people-with-high-levels-of-wellbeing-have-been-careful-to-work-out/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The absence of high-quality friendships is bad for your health, spirits, productivity, and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-absence-of-high-quality-friendships-is-bad-for-your-health/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm a researcher, so I'm realistic that there's nothing I'm doing that's going to prevent me from getting cancer in the future. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-m-a-researcher-so-i-m-realistic-that-there-s-nothing-i-m-doing-that/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) [Explore all 129 Tom Rath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Rath" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as-being-a-detriment-to-their/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as-being-a-detriment-to-their/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/tom-rath-3501_being_most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as_2444383.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most people perceive their occupation as being a detriment to their overall wellbeing.” — Tom Rath", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tom Rath", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most people perceive their occupation as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as-being-a-detriment-to-their/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/most-people-perceive-their-occupation-as-being-a-detriment-to-their/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```