Live-to-Work: 5 Questions Boomers Wish They'd Asked

Author: Ram S. Ramanathan MCC

Boomers like me worked hard so that we could live later. Or, so we were told and told ourselves. When the boss-man said, 'jump', we asked, 'how high, sir?' The mantra sort of worked for some. Working hard did not only not guarantee wealth and power, but it also did not guarantee job security after some years. The world changed.

Generations that followed us changed the script. They spoke of the meaning and purpose of work. They asked for work-life balance. They wanted safe and non-toxic democratic workplaces. Worst of all for some, women demanded parity. What was the world coming to! When the boss-man says, 'jump', the 20-something Gen Z says, 'Show me how?'

Times have changed, for the better.

Work-To-Live

Many of us over sixty lived through times when survival demanded working for a paycheck, not passion, clocking in and out, burnout, rebooting and coping with Groundhog Day.

Our brain is in constant alert mode. The limbic system, the amygdala, scans for threats such as deadlines, angry emails, and job insecurity, as the cave humans once did for animals bigger than them. Cortisol, the stress hormone, spikes. Oxytocin dies. We’re surviving, not thriving.

Over time, this can lead to what psychology terms as extrinsic motivation, triggered by reward and punishment, not fulfilment.

• Decision fatigue

• Burnout

• Loss of identity: Am I my job?

• Low motivation leading to depression

Psychology calls this— doing something for rewards or to avoid punishment. It keeps you moving, but not deeply fulfilled.

Live-To-Work

What if you were purpose-driven?

• We wake up excited because your work aligns with what matters to you.

• We are energised, not exhausted.

• We create, not just complete tasks.

• We don’t dread Mondays and live for Fridays.

This is what happens when work isn’t just about getting through the day, but giving something meaningful to the world.

Our brain starts to shift, too:

• The prefrontal cortex, which sparks creativity and problem-solving lights up.

• Dopamine and serotonin, our “feel-good” chemicals, flow naturally.

• The Default Mode Network stops spinning negative loops because now our has meaning.

Neurologically, we shift from stress-driven action to flow state when we’re so into what matters to us that we lose track of time. Your skills meet challenges. You’re in the zone.

5 Questions to Ask to Help Shift from Work-To-Live to Live-To-Work

1. Ask the Right Questions

Don't ask: What job pays the most? Ask: What would I love to  do even if I didn’t get paid right away or less?”

2. Use Your Pain as Clues

What frustrates you about the world? That’s often the thing you’re meant to change. Activism, creativity, business, healing — purpose often grows from the pain of irritation or heartbreak.

3. Build Skills That Are You

Not just resume stuff. What makes you feel alive? Writing? Organizing? Leading? Coding weird AI projects? What's your metaphor? Find your spark, the You.

4. Say No to Stuff That Kills Your Soul

If something feels empty, it probably is. You’re not lazy for walking away, you’re evolving. Discover your values, shed limiting beliefs.

5. Rewire Your Mind with Small Wins

Purpose isn’t a lightning bolt — it’s a treasure-hunt trail. Start where you are, do something meaningful today, feel fulfilled and let that expand.

Reflaction (Reflective Action)

If you wish to sell your soul to become a billionaire's shadow, that's your karma. Who knows, who may be reborn as a luggage cart in your next life!

Your karma is about how you live now. That makes your hell, heaven or purgatory. Find what would make you and the people you love happy. First, learn to love.

Ready to Make the Shift from Work-to-Live to Live-to-Work?

If these 5 questions sparked something in you, you're not alone. Many professionals find themselves at this crossroads, knowing they want more meaning in their work but unsure how to make the transition safely.

That's where personalised coaching can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Work with a Coach Who Gets It 

Sometimes we need someone to help us see our blind spots, challenge our limiting beliefs, and create a roadmap that's uniquely ours. A coach can help you:

• Identify your authentic purpose without the overwhelm

• Navigate career transitions at any age

• Build the confidence to say no to soul-killing work

• Create sustainable changes that honor both your values and your responsibilities

Explore Coacharya's Purpose-Driven Programs 

At Coacharya, we specialize in helping professionals discover their authentic path and build careers that energize rather than exhaust them. Our programs are designed for people ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

(Originally published on Coaching the Spirit, a LinkedIn Newsletter by Ram Ramanathan: How to Shift from Work-To-Live to Live-To-Work Focus?)