The Changing World of Work and Why Meaning Matters More Than Ever - Financial Planning for Business Owners

Bob Dylan, The New Yorker

“The times they are a-changing.” — Bob Dylan, 1964

That song came out over sixty years ago, but it’s never felt more relevant than it does today.

Back then, a job for life was common. You started at a local company, they looked after you, and you looked after them. You climbed the ladder and retired with a gold watch and a farewell party.

I don’t know anyone today who has that experience, or will again.

Back then, typewriters and desk phones were cutting-edge technology.

Now, it’s AI. AI in everything.

In 1964, the professional classes, lawyers, accountants and managers were seen as higher status and better paid than those who worked in the trades. And to be fair, that’s mostly been true ever since.

But that’s changing.

AI is increasingly able to take on work traditionally done by professionals. The roles we do now, and I include financial planning in that, will have to evolve. That’s not something we should only fear; it also provides an opportunity. An opportunity to get better, to focus on the parts of work that truly make a difference.

Still, there’s no denying that for some industries, this change is unsettling. You only have to look at the headlines. Tech companies cutting jobs and replacing people with AI in pursuit of efficiency. Tech is at the forefront, but it won’t stop there. The wave is coming for every sector.

That’s the bad news.

But in typical rational-optimist fashion, there’s reason to be hopeful.

Four Reasons for Optimism

1. AI can’t be a carpenter, a plumber, or an electrician.

For years, we’ve had a shortage of skilled tradespeople. Maybe this shift will re-balance things and bring renewed respect for those who work with their hands.

2. AI-fatigue is real.

Things created by humans - imperfect, heartfelt, and authentic - will become more valued. Social media has even coined a term for computer-generated content overload: AI slop.

You can always tell when something lacks human touch. Whether it’s a ChatGPT-written post full of hashtags, or a song that sounds perfect but lacks emotion, what connects us isn’t perfection, it’s lived experience.

3. New roles will emerge.

Work evolves. It always has and always will. Nobody in 1964 was a cyber-security consultant. Today, it’s a booming field. The same will happen again. New types of meaningful work will grow alongside AI.

4. Many people don’t find their current work fulfilling.

Ask managers whether they enjoy what they do, and many will quietly admit that they don’t. The future could give us a chance to redefine what work looks like. Not just more efficient, but more meaningful.

Maybe that’s optimistic. Maybe not.

Either way: the times they are a-changing.

What Is Meaningful Work, Anyway?

When you strip it back, most of us don’t just want to get paid.

We want our work to mean something. To matter. To connect with our values and make some kind of difference, even a small one.

Meaningful work isn’t about “changing the world” in grand gestures. It’s about doing something that feels significant, purposeful, and aligned with who you are. If you stopped doing it tomorrow, someone, somewhere, would notice.

Multiple studies suggest that people who feel their work is meaningful tend to report higher levels of job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and resilience, and lower levels of stress and burnout, compared with those who regard their work as purely instrumental or transactional.

The opposite is also true.

Even well-paid work that feels meaningless eventually grinds people down. It’s exhausting to spend years doing something that doesn’t feel like it matters.

Three Questions to Ask Yourself

If you’re reflecting on your own role and your business, these questions are a good starting point:

• Am I proud of what my business contributes?

• Does it reflect what I care about?

• If my role disappeared tomorrow, what parts of it would I actually miss?

  
  

The answers can be revealing. And as AI takes over more repetitive, process-driven tasks, we’re left with a rare opportunity, to make work more human, not less.

The Opportunity Ahead

This next chapter of the working world doesn’t have to be dystopian. It could be the moment where we shift focus, from simply doing more, to doing what matters.

A future where more of us make things, fix things, create things, or help people.

That might sound idealistic, but isn’t that the point? We spend 40 hours a week working. Meaningful work shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be what we strive for.

It’s one of the biggest drivers of wellbeing we’ve got. And as the world of work continues to change, asking what would make my work meaningful? might just be the most important question any of us can ask.

Making Sure Your Money Works for You - Financial Planning for Business Owners

If you’re your own boss, the beauty is that you get to create the environment you work in.

It should be enjoyable, purposeful, and reflective of the life you actually want to live.

And if it isn’t? Well, that’s where we come in.

At Lab Financial Planning, we help business owners ensure their money works for them and not the other way around.

We help you align your finances with your purpose, so that work feels meaningful and your future feels secure.

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Jamie is Lab Financial Planning Managing Director, and a Certified Financial Planner™. He advises business owners and makes sure that their money, life and business are aligned in working towards their goals.

If you'd like to discuss your financial planning, why not get in touch to see if we can help?

Remember, there are no stupid questions. Everyone has a different level of knowledge about money and planning their finances. We speak in plain English to help take away the fear and empower you to use your money well.

You can drop Jamie an e-mail here: jamie@labfp.co.uk

Or, you can book in a free introductory call, to discuss your situation, here: https://calendly.com/labfp/intromeeting