We need more words for "Work"

How We Talk About Work Changes How We Feel About It

Growing up, I remember hearing that the people living in the Arctic had dozens of words for “snow” in their native languages. One word wouldn’t cut it when there was so much variety—wet snow, dry snow, powdery snow, compacted snow, falling snow, drifting snow—you get the idea.

This was the first time I realized how language shapes our experiences. The more words we have, the more nuances we see. And the same principle applies to many aspects of life.

Think about it: Chefs don’t just “cut.” They dice, julienne, chop, and mince. Sailors don’t simply say “wind.” They navigate gales, squalls, and breezes. Sommeliers don’t settle for “good” or “bad” to describe wine—they talk about tannins, oakiness, earthiness, herbaceous notes, and buttery finishes.

But when it comes to “work,” we lump it all together. It’s just... work. We use the same word to describe an infinite variety of tasks, emotions, and experiences, and yet we rarely express how we actually feel about it.

For example, saying “I love work” can feel almost wrong—like a contradiction in terms. And yet, I believe that many of us do love aspects of our work. The problem is, we don’t always have the right language to express that.

The Language of Work Is Limiting

When someone asks, “How was work today?” most of us default to something like, “It was fine,” or, “It was okay.” It feels strange to say anything more positive. We’ve grown up viewing work as an obligation, something to survive, and we pass down that mindset from generation to generation.

But work is different today. We have more choices than ever—whether it’s finding a job that suits our passions or reshaping the roles we already have.

Sure, it’s still “work,” but it can also be meaningful, engaging, and yes, even fun.

Redefining Our Relationship with Work

The next time someone asks you, “How was work?” try something different. Say, “It was amazing!” And mean it.

Imagine a world where we talk about work as something we love, something that energizes us. A world where Mondays bring anticipation, not dread. Where work isn’t just a task, but something that fills us with purpose.

Changing that narrative starts with you. The words you use shape how you feel about your daily life. So, why not rewrite the story?

If we work on defaulting to talking about work as fun, meaningful, or something to that fill us up we win. And the people that surround us win as well.