The way we're working isn't working. But how did we get into this mess in the first place?

The answer lies in what it means "to work" and what it means to be a worker.

"What it is to be a worker has changed."

Lynda Gratton (London Business School) describe the social changes (such as role of gender, technology and the lengthening of life) has on the future of work.

"100 years ago, almost no one on earth had a job."

What are we looking for instead?

When it comes to most mainstream careers, crucial ingredients are missing. These ingredients may not have mattered to someone building a career in the 20th century; in the 21s century, they're imperative.

There are six characteristics that make up what we believe to be a happy and fulfilling 21st Century Career: Security, Mastery, Impact, Purpose, Autonomy and overall Wellbeing.

It's one thing to know what's making us dissatisfied; quite another to do something about it and know where and how to start.

Now that we've dissected what's missing – how do we go about achieving additional ingredients such as Passion, Impact, Autonomy and Wellbeing?

The first step is understanding how we got into this mess in the first place. Why do we feel so stuck? To answer this question, it helps to turn to science and human psychology to help us diagnose our "stuckness," use it to get us unstuck, and propel us forward into more meaningful and fulfilling work.

In the next couple modules we'll learn about the science of stuckness from our favourite career psychologist. But before that, let's first discuss: what is the purpose of work?

What is work exactly? And why do we do it? Why do you do it?

What do you believe to be the purpose of work?