Reframing 'Work': Finding Excitement in What We Do Every Day

Let’s talk about the word work. I don’t know about you, but whenever I say, “I’ve got work to do,” it feels a little, well… blah. Maybe because the word work often has the word hard right in front of it. You know what I mean: “Hard work pays off,” “Work hard and you’ll succeed.”  I get it, but let’s be real—saying the word “work” feels more draining than motivating.

There’s something about the way we’ve come to use the word work that feels heavy, like a chore. I’ve realized that as an entrepreneur, what I do is so much more than just “work.” It’s building, creating, growing, learning—and yes, sometimes it’s hard, but it’s also energizing and exciting. So why does it still sound like something I have to drag myself through?

It hit me that when I say, “I have to go to work,” it just sounds… negative. And, honestly, the energy that comes with that phrase feels draining. Like I’m about to embark on something long and grueling, even if it’s something I actually love to do.

Here’s what I’m going to try instead: I’m going to change how I talk about it. From now on, it’s not “I have to go to work”—no, that sounds like I’m headed to the coal mines. Instead, I’m going to say things like:

• "I get to go to the office and build something amazing today."
• "I’m heading to the studio to create."
• "Today, I get to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses."
• "I’m heading out to serve my clients and inspire my team."

See how that feels different? It doesn’t sound like “hard work” anymore, does it? It feels more like progress, growth, and something worth getting excited about.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not swearing off the word work forever. I know that some days, work will be, well… hard. And I’ll still call it what it is. But my goal is to stop letting that word bring a weight with it. I’m going to focus on what I’m building, creating, and achieving instead.

At the end of the day, as entrepreneurs, what we do might be challenging, but it’s always more than just work. It’s about the passion and purpose behind it. And when you shift your mindset, suddenly, even the tough stuff doesn’t feel so draining—it feels like progress. And who doesn’t love progress?

So, what about you? How do you think about the work you do every day? Maybe try swapping out work for something that gets you energized—create, build, help, grow. You might just find yourself a little more excited to get out of bed in the morning and head to the office to create, build, and empower. 

Let’s take back the word work and make it something we can all feel great about.