The Conflict Between Work & Purpose
We all have basic needs—to make a living, to feel secure, to survive. But we also have a deep human need to contribute by doing work that matters and that aligns with our values. Yet, the world we live in makes it hard to meet both needs at the same time.
Jobs that pay the bills often require us to compromise our values, while the work that inspires us can leave us struggling to make ends meet. It’s a system that pulls us in opposing directions, leaving many feeling isolated, unsupported, and undervalued. I experience that push-pull conundrum in my work, and I know I’m not alone.
This conflict is at the heart of why we have developed Holistic Systems Cooperative.
We believe it doesn’t have to be this way.
Why This Problem Exists
The problem isn’t that there’s a shortage of resources or opportunities; it’s the way these resources are controlled and distributed. Instead of tapping into our collective potential, we live in a system that divides us, pushing us into competition rather than collaboration.
Economic structures have long prioritized profit over people, rewarding businesses that maximize efficiency and minimize costs—often at the expense of workers, communities, and long-term sustainability. The traditional model views human labor as a cost to minimize rather than an investment to nurture.
We are constantly told that opportunity is everywhere, that if we just work hard enough, develop the right skills, or start our own venture, we can carve out a successful and fulfilling career. But when we look closer, it becomes clear that opportunity isn’t evenly distributed—it’s concentrated in the hands of those with capital, connections, and access to existing wealth.
Traditional employment offers stability at the cost of autonomy, often requiring people to suppress their creativity, ignore their deeper purpose, or engage in work that does little to create meaningful change. On the other hand, gig work, freelancing, and entrepreneurship promise freedom but come with financial insecurity, market saturation, and an exhausting need for constant self-promotion just to stay afloat.
Even within the freelance and entrepreneurial world, competition still dominates. The pressure to differentiate, market yourself, and chase clients makes it difficult to focus on deep, meaningful work. Instead of allowing us to fully contribute our talents to society, these models force us into a scarcity mindset—constantly hustling to secure enough income to survive, rather than building something sustainable and regenerative.
The things that truly make us valuable—our creativity, our ideas, our desire to make a meaningful impact—are often overlooked unless they serve the bottom line. The existing system limits our potential, forcing us to prioritize survival over purpose, and leaving the deeper value we can bring to the world untapped.
The Holistic Systems Cooperative Approach
At Holistic Systems Cooperative, we’re challenging the limitations of the current system by harnessing collaboration and collective empowerment. We’ve joined together as a community of professionals, creators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to develop a supportive ecosystem where value is exchanged without the limitations of traditional, money-centered systems.
This approach flips the script on how we work together. Instead of being locked in competition—where success often comes at the expense of others—we embrace a collaborative model that acknowledges the abundance of resources, skills, and knowledge that already exist within our communities.
Here, we value all forms of contribution—whether it’s expertise, time, community support or building relationships—and we leverage these contributions to create real, meaningful change in both our personal livelihoods and the world around us.
By participating in our value exchange and resource pooling collective, members are empowered to build their careers, develop new skills, and support each other in real, practical ways. Holistic Systems Cooperative provides support and opportunities to grow, create, and make the impact we’ve always dreamed of.
What Makes HSC Different
The unique aspect of what we’re developing is this pooling and exchanging of value. So, in addition to connecting members, we’re creating a contribution-based ecosystem where people can exchange services and goods without the need for fiat money, where we can all add-in the many complex types of value we each hold to a growing pool that supports all involved.
At HSC, we acknowledge and reward multiple forms of capital, including:
- Social Capital: Reputation, exposure, referrals, cross-promotion, and community support.
- Intellectual Capital: Systems, templates, knowledge, and professional development pathways.
- Experiential Capital: The exchange of services, consulting, and knowledge-sharing.
- Financial Capital: Direct payments, operational roles, and community-driven investment.
- Cultural & Spiritual Capital: Meaning and purpose exploration, cultural development, and connection with self and others.
By broadening the definition of value, we unlock resources that are already present in our community but have been underutilized. At the same time, we’re able to experiment with developing novel economic systems based on innovative concepts such as mutual credit and community-driven valuation.
This is how we turn isolated efforts into collective strength, ensuring that everyone has what they need to contribute, grow, and thrive.
Success is More Than Just Survival
Success isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving in a way that aligns with your values. We’re creating a space where earning a living & making a difference are no longer in conflict. We know we can get there, we just need to do it together.
