I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don’t feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life.” This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work”. What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.
What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.
What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, “Oh, I hope this brings joy to others’ lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.
Don’t look down on your work. It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, “I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people’s lives”. Tony said, “You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!” Don’t underestimate the value you provide.
Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take.
【小题1】. What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?

I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don’t feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life.” This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work”. What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.

What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.

What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, “Oh, I hope this brings joy to others’ lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.

Don’t look down on your work. It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, “I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people’s lives”. Tony said, “You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!” Don’t underestimate the value you provide.

Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take.

1.. What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?

2.. When you downplay the value of your work, you tend to think it is ______.

3..According to the passage, what meaningful job does the writer advise us to take?

4.. The article is intended to ________.

I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don’t feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life.” This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work”. What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.
What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.
What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, “Oh, I hope this brings joy to others’ lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.
Don’t look down on your work. It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, “I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people’s lives”. Tony said, “You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!” Don’t underestimate the value you provide.
Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take.

1. 1.

   . What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?

   1. A.
      Famous people are selfish to start work for themselves.
   2. B.
      Doing meaningful work requires our interest in it.
   3. C.
      Interest is the best teacher in learning.
   4. D.
      Honesty makes for the greatest people.
2. 2.

   . When you downplay the value of your work, you tend to think it is ______.

   1. A.
      quite different
   2. B.
      very successful
   3. C.
      not meaningful
   4. D.
      less important
3. 3.

   .According to the passage, what meaningful job does the writer advise us to take?

   1. A.
      The one which is popular in society.
   2. B.
      The one which brings you profits.
   3. C.
      The one which wins you fame.
   4. D.
      The one which interests you.
4. 4.

   . The article is intended to ________.

   1. A.
      explain what is the most important in changing one’s job
   2. B.
      advise taking an immediate action to find meaningful work
   3. C.
      suggest we should show confidence and talent in work
   4. D.
      tell us the problem that the author’s client met

I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, “I just wish I had meaningful work. I don’t feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life.” This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile. All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining “meaningful work.” What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.

What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.

It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted, he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking. “Oh I hope this brings joy to others’ lives.” He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.

It is easy to downplay the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, “I wish I could do what you do because it makes such a difference in people’s lives.” Tony said, “You’ve got to be kidding! Look at what a difference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands of people! ” Don’t underestimate the value you provide.

Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and joyful. Honor your preferences because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take.

1．Which should come first to see whether you are doing something meaningful?

       A．What is meaningful work to you?

       B．Where can you find meaningful work?

       C．How do you wish to contribute to the world?

       D．How can you make a difference in your work?

2．What does the writer mean by mentioning the famous people?

       A．Famous people are selfish to start work for themselves.

       B．Doing meaningful work requires our interest in it.

       C．Interest is the best teacher in learning.

       D．Honesty makes for the greatest people.

3．When you downplay the value of your work, you tend to think it is          .

       A．quite different                                      B．very successful

       C．not meaningful                                    D．less important

4．According to the passage, what meaningful job does the writer advise us to take?

       A．The one which is popular in society.      B．The one which brings you profits.

       C．The one which wins you fame.             D．The one which interests you.

5．The article is intended to             .

       A．explain the most important aspect in changing one’s career

       B．advise taking a preferable action to find meaningful work

       C．suggest we should show confidence and talent in work

       D．show as how to give our greatest gift to society

He says the problem with teachers is, “What will a kid learn from someone who chose to become a teacher?” He reminds the other dinner guests that it’s true what they say about teachers: Those who can , do; those who can’t teach.

　 I decide to bite my tongue instead of biting his and stop myself from reminding the other dinner guests that it’s also true what they say about lawyers—that they make money from the misfortune of others.

　 “I mean, you’re a teacher, Taylor,” he says to me. “Be honest. What do you make?”

　 I wish he hadn’t asked me to be honest, because now I have to teach him a lesson.

　 You want to know what I make?

　 I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

　 I can make a C⁺ feel like a great achievement

　 and an A^－ feel like a failure.

　 How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best?

　 I make parents tremble in fear when I call them:

　 I hope I haven’t called at a bad time,

　 I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today.

　 Billy said, “Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don’t you?”

　 And it was the bravest act I have ever seen.

　 I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be.

　 You want to know what I make?

　 I make kids wonder.

　 I make them question.

　 I make them criticise.

　 I make them think.

　 I make them apologies and mean it.

　 I make them write, write, write.

　 And then I make them read.

　 I teach them to solve math problems

　 that they once thought impossible.

　 I make them understand that if you have brains then you follow your heart

　 and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you teach them a lesson.

　 Let me make this simple for you, so you know what I say is true;

　 I make a great difference! What about you?

1．What do we know about the man that the author is speaking to?

　 A．He is respectful to teachers.　　　　　　　 B．He is in the author’s home.

　 C．He is actually a lawyer.　　 D．He dislikes lawyers.

2．The underlined phrase “bite my tongue” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to　　 .

　 A．say something which is wrong B．speak out honestly but carelessly

　 C．keep silent about myself　　 D．stop myself saying what I really think

3．The author called Billy’s parents to　　 .

　 A．let them tremble in fear　　 B．ask why Billy cried that day

　 C．praise what Billy did that day　　　　　　 D．advise them to leave Billy alone

4．What is the tone of the passage?

　 A．Angry and proud.　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B．Upset and disappointed.

　 C．Humourous and light-hearted. D．Cheerful and positive.

5．What’s the best title of this passage?

　 A．An Argument between Two Guests　　　　　　 B．What Teachers Make

　 C．Requirements of a Good Teacher　　　　　　 D．A Dinner Conversation