Work as a Calling

A calling, generally speaking, is a consuming meaningful passion people experience toward a domain. That domain is most often work—whether one’s specific job, organization, or occupation, or a broad social principle (e.g., social justice or child welfare)—but may encompass any other domain of interest (e.g., music, sports, or family). Those who experience work as a strong calling are consumed by the work, which may mean they are easily engrossed in their work and feel a sense of destiny, or pull, toward doing the work. They are also likely to see work as central to their overall identity, or concept of who they are as a person. These people feel that work is meaningful, providing a sense of purpose and significance. Not surprisingly, calling tends to ...