Work. It doesn't fill me with a sense of accomplishment or pride. I don't work because I love it. My accomplishment is daily. When that little boy runs full speed into my waiting arms, that's accomplishment. That's fulfillment. When my daughter's face lights up because she hasn't seen me all day, and the happiness on my wife's face watching the whole process? Well that's accomplishment, fulfillment.
Work is making sure that when those wrinkles have gatheredon our face 30 years from now, they are wrinkles caused by smiling. Work is when my son says 'Daddy we go buy my new video?' and I buy it or don't buy it based on something other than can I afford it. Work is interesting, but it is far from everything. It has this little box in my life where I like to store it. And nearly every other box in my life is bigger than the work box.
Some may see this attitude as an issue with my work ethic. I believe my efforts and results prove otherwise. What I want to limit is the amount of stress, distraction, and loss work causes in my life. I don't ever want to wake up thinking about work. If work has become my main passion, then something is missing in my life. Don't misunderstand me, I enjoy what I do. But if I were to win 100 million dollars tomorrow, I'd only be doing what I do for two more weeks.
Many folks have at one time or another made comments about my work ethic. Not necessarily negative comments but more in the line of curiousity. I rarely show stress at work. Nor do I ever seem too busy (until recently) to speak to someone who's stopped by my desk because they needed a break. Co-workers have seen this and don't know what to make of it. It's really very simple. Work is work but it is not me. I try to reduce it's effect on my mood and more importantly on my dealings with others (especially those not involved in any way with my work). Lastly, we spend most of our day at work, the very least I can do is enjoy the people I work with.
I'll never be a CEO. And I don't want to be one. I like the position that work plays in my life right now. Maybe down the road, money will be less important and having a fulfilling vocation will matter more to me. But I don't see the exit for that road yet so in the words of Smokey and the Bandit -- East bound and down, loaded up and trucking!
1 comment:
Well said, X. I am the total opposite and trying to develop more of a work ethic that you have. I think that when you are single with no kids, it is inevitable that you drown yourself in your work.
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