The recent tragedy in Haiti has caused many to question their place in the world. What am I doing with my life? Do I make a difference? Should I be doing more to help others?

And this is a good thing. It’s always good to question ourselves, no matter what the reason. And wanting to help others is certainly honorable.

But I have noticed that many of those who work in advertising struggle to find any sense of pride in what they do. In fact, many look upon what we do with disdain.

I don’t.

No, we are not curing cancer. Or providing necessary disaster relief, for that matter. But the fact is, not everyone can do these things.

What we can do is do our jobs with integrity. And with passion. And with a genuine concern for the people we work with.

How does this jibe with working in an industry that helps companies sell stuff people may not need? It might not, but that’s for you to decide. That’s where your integrity needs to kick in. If what you do sincerely bothers you, then don’t do it. By all means, please go out and find some other way to earn a living that better fits your personal values.

But you may also decide that helping companies sell stuff is an important part of making our economy grow, which in turn helps create jobs, allows our government to provide more services and makes life a little more comfortable for a lot of people. Or you may decide that you can help companies sell stuff in a more sustainable manner or in a more honest way.

Once you’ve determined that you’re in the right place. Put all of your energy and passion into your work. Make your momma proud. And yourself too. A hard day’s work should leave you both exhausted and exhilarated.

Lastly, never underestimate the importance of good co-workers. You will likely be spending more than a third of your weekdays (and some weekends) with these people. Those hours go by a lot quicker when you actually enjoy the people you are in the trenches with. A miserable project can become fun. A boring day can be filled with laughter. And you’re a lot more productive when you actually care about those around you.

So, next time you’re getting down on yourself for not changing the world, take a second to take stock of what you have. If you are working with integrity, passion and great people, you are doing better than most. And that’s something for which you should be thankful. And maybe, a little bit proud as well.

- TJ Bennett