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ENOW as a path to meaningful work: A positive psychology 2.0 approach to youth caree
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Citation
Yip, C. Y. (25 Jun 2025). ENOW as a path to meaningful work: A positive psychology 2.0 approach to youth caree. Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025), Tung Wah College, Hong Kong.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
This paper aims to illuminate the transformative potential of the Expanded Notion of Work (ENOW) within Positive Psychology 2.0 (PP2.0) frameworks. Conventional career guidance models often emphasize gainful employment and academic advancement as the main indicators of success, neglecting the deeper psychological and spiritual aspects of life-career development. PP2.0 challenges this approach, advocating for the importance of meaningful engagement, i.e., a focus on purpose, and self-transcendence. ENOW enriches this paradigm by broadening the concept of life-career development to include unpaid yet meaningful activities, such as volunteering and serious leisure, as vital elements of personal growth and well-being (Wong & Yip, 2018).
This paper explores ENOW as a transformative pathway to self-transcendence (i.e., from self to others, and from materialism to values) under PP2.0 principles. By redefining work as a meaningful journey toward purpose, growth, and flourishing, ENOW highlights how unpaid work fosters intrinsic motivation, cherished values and attitudes, equipping youth with knowledge and skills (VASK) that go beyond monetary rewards. Drawing on the concept of selftranscendence, the paper emphasizes spirituality as a crucial aspect of career exploration which encourages reflection. The ENOW approach inspires young people to align career aspirations with personal goals while contributing to societal well-being.
Case studies in published literature from China and other global contexts reveal some organizations have adopted this "broadened" concept of work in youth development. These examples demonstrate how fostering unpaid work promotes meaning-seeking, and human flourishing. The paper concludes by advocating for ENOW as a pivotal model for reshaping research and practice in positive psychology and career education, encouraging integration into life-career development through evidence-based strategies like strengths-based empowerment, and serious leisure pursuits. ENOW’s alignment with PP2.0 makes it an innovative career development framework for enhancing meaning, purpose, and societal contributions.
This paper explores ENOW as a transformative pathway to self-transcendence (i.e., from self to others, and from materialism to values) under PP2.0 principles. By redefining work as a meaningful journey toward purpose, growth, and flourishing, ENOW highlights how unpaid work fosters intrinsic motivation, cherished values and attitudes, equipping youth with knowledge and skills (VASK) that go beyond monetary rewards. Drawing on the concept of selftranscendence, the paper emphasizes spirituality as a crucial aspect of career exploration which encourages reflection. The ENOW approach inspires young people to align career aspirations with personal goals while contributing to societal well-being.
Case studies in published literature from China and other global contexts reveal some organizations have adopted this "broadened" concept of work in youth development. These examples demonstrate how fostering unpaid work promotes meaning-seeking, and human flourishing. The paper concludes by advocating for ENOW as a pivotal model for reshaping research and practice in positive psychology and career education, encouraging integration into life-career development through evidence-based strategies like strengths-based empowerment, and serious leisure pursuits. ENOW’s alignment with PP2.0 makes it an innovative career development framework for enhancing meaning, purpose, and societal contributions.
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