It’s an old saying: “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” But, based on what you commonly see and hear today, it’s all but forgotten. We often emphasize the importance of not working too hard to find a work-life balance. Some bust their tails early in their careers with the hopes of retiring early, stacking up either government benefits or a flush retirement account, so they never have to work again. This, they say, will help bring happiness.

Finance guru, thinker and author David Bahnsen disagrees. He wants to redirect our thinking about work with his new book: Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life. Bahnsen argues our purpose is to pursue productive work. “Purpose reverses a life where things are done for us, to a life where we do things for others.”

The book touches on the topics of work, life, loneliness, achievement, greed, wealth and retirement. It eschews self-help books about “finding balance” by doing less but also isn’t just pushing for people to work more or harder. Whether you’re the boss or an entry-level employee, white collar or blue, happy in your job or just punching the clock, “Full-Time” has ideas for you on how to improve your work and your life, bringing more meaning and fulfillment to both.

Joseph G. Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center, will provide an update on the freedom movement in Michigan and introduce our guest speaker. The first 50 event participants will receive a complimentary copy of Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life.