The Eight of Pentacles: Doing What Matters

My work aligns with my values:

Working with others toward a common goal.

Contributing to my community.

Simply doing what makes me happy,

fulfilled, and inspired.

— The Eight of Pentacles

This week …

What Inspires Me

This week my Eight of Pentacles energy is asking you to pay attention to your work, whatever form it takes: your job, your art, your home, your volunteering, the projects you care about.

Which parts leave you feeling energized, useful, and most like yourself? Which parts leave you feeling drained?

You don't have to change anything yet. Just notice which work feeds your whole self.

Collaborative Work, Common Goals

When we work together toward common goals, we feel connected, like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Where in your work do you collaborate with others who share your goals: the coworker with a good idea, the friend who wants to help, the neighbor working on the same cause?

What could you build together that you couldn't build on your own?

A clear goal, a simple plan, and the right people can turn inspiration into something real.

Follow the Joy!

Not everything you do has to change the world. It’s enough to make you happy in this moment! 

What are the things you enjoy doing that make you happy and bring you joy?  Cooking a good meal? Painting a picture? Travel?  Playing golf? Binge watching TV on day off from the job?

This week, make time for at least one thing you do just because you love doing it. Joy is part of meaningful work too.

One Step at a Time

Choose one goal that matters to you this week and take a single, small, steady step toward it. Then another. That's how skill, confidence, and a meaningful life are made.

This Week's Practice

Write: Think of a time your work felt truly meaningful. What were you doing, who were you with, and how did it feel? Write about it for ten minutes.

Photograph: Take a picture of yourself, or your hands, doing work you love this week.

List: Write down one goal that matters to you, then list three small steps you could take toward it. Do the first one this week.