Recently my editor sent me an email to explain the viral TikTok video called “Lazy Girl Jobs”. She wanted to make our team  aware of the work-related trend, but she also had commentary on it, so I asked her if I could share it. 

I realize I am late to the party. “Lazy Girl Jobs” was posted four months ago, which is a millennia ago in TikTok time! But since I’m well past 39 and not on TikTok, I just found it this week. The phrase “Lazy Girl Jobs” was created by a 26 year old female TikTok’er to help followers find jobs that do “not do that much work”, are remote, extremely flexible (no start or stop time required), “pretty comfortable salary”, do not risk your life or safety, and “truly exercise a work-life balance”. First, props to her for creating a catchy title that has gone viral and even caught the attention of the Wall Street Journal and Forbes! I admire her for that, and she openly admits in a HuffPost article the term “lazy” was used for marketing, but we need to go deeper in looking at this trend, like we always do at Always About People!

Evidently I have a Lazy Girl Job because I can check those boxes, but my work has more motivation for me than that short list. I work 10-20 hours most weeks (does that qualify as “not that much work”?). I am remote, with no start or stop time required. I am paid fairly, and the only safety risk I have is the blue light straining my eyes as I type on this Mac. But I can’t call my work lazy, even if it is just satire. I enjoy giving my best effort in what I do, and I have a lot of fun because I work within my strengths. I also have a boss who trusts me to get the work done, even if I am mostly asynchronous and 100% autonomous. That trust took years of building a good relationship, based on respect and honesty. I take my job seriously because I know the higher purpose behind it. I connect that purpose to what I do specifically, and it brings me a lot of personal meaning. So, what is compelling me to write about this work trend? Part of my job is researching the history and motivation of work, and writing about principles that help leaders create cultures where people thrive. I want to write a better story for the next generation of people who work. My work is always about people, and the language we use to communicate meaning is particularly paramount to people. I also adore alliteration, but I need to get to my concerns about the language of Lazy Girl…

There is no problem in looking for a job with those specifications, as long as people understand the list is only about a job, a j-o-b. It’s not about building a fulfilling career, nor is it about building great working relationships throughout your career. Actually, an employer could (rightfully) be irritated by employees describing their work as lazy, especially if they do not understand hashtags and irony.  When we look at the actual data of people who work, instead of TikTok, we see the true motivations behind work are intrinsic: play, purpose, and potential. Enjoying the work (not just completing a task), finding purpose in the work, and seeing potential in the work are the best motivators. Autonomy and competence are very important too, but they can take time to develop. We actually need some level of challenge in order to keep us motivated and not bored, and it is beautiful when we can reach that sweet spot of challenge in work without the overwhelm. Work can be very rewarding! I would encourage everyone to reach for that, while balancing and setting healthy boundaries. It is not easy. The greatest rewards never are. 

It is a good thing for TikTok to help people find work, but those qualities are not the primary motivations that sustain longevity in a career and build trusting relationships. They may even get someone through the door, but they cannot keep one content for very long.  IF readers find themselves drawn to wanting to know more about lazy jobs, they should ask WHY and be as honest and specific as possible in asking. Are there any other areas in life they need to consider?  Are they full of energy, eating and sleeping well, limiting screen time, laughing with friends, developing spiritual disciplines, spending time in nature, and finding higher purpose in life? Are they thriving? I encourage females to aim for a “Thriving Woman’s Job”, even if that job is done at home, for people who cannot appreciate the work until they are old enough to find their own jobs. Or better yet, how about we all find Thriving People Jobs?