Some Lightbulb Reflections on Work

I have been thinking a ton about “work” lately. I feel like I’ve defined myself by my work for as long as I can remember. I got a chemistry set in second grade (eek!!) and viewed myself a chemist until the end of third grade when I won a little third grade contest, drawing my “ideal” career aspiration. The only art contest I ever excelled at.

But now that I can see a finite end to my current work, it really has me thinking. What is work? What is this thing that defines who I am as a human being? How would I explain “my work” to an alien from an advanced civilization? I’m not just talking about what I do or what I attempt to accomplish. I’m thinking bigger than that. Or maybe smaller and more granular.

Work (as I have mulled this around in my brain) is probably composed of these things, and more…

• A place I go
• The tools I use
• The skills I possess and those I am trying to develop
• My customers, stakeholders, students, etc.
• My co-workers -- including my formal co-workers in my unit and those with whom I connect in the process of doing my work
• The infrastructure that supports me, pays me, and provides me with benefits, physical space, and other important resources
• My boss, their boss, etc.
• The organization, its culture, values, norms, and “ways of working”
• The expectations--those I place on myself and those placed upon me

I have about 20 more, but this should suffice. Obviously, I am leaving out “purpose.” But, defining my purpose has never really been difficult for me.

An important realization in my thinking. This is alot of stuff. AND, it’s silly to expect all this stuff will always be ideal, fully aligned, and consistent with MY expectations and desires.

I am also a “grass is always greener” person. I’ve known other much, much more so than me, but I am always looking over the fence. I’ve wanted in the past to jump from a university to private industry. Or to a federal agency. Or from faculty to administrative leadership. Or from administration BACK to faculty. Right now, I now I am not seeing the “retirement” grass as greener, and perhaps that’s about reasons in the first paragraph and the desire to feel the purpose I deeply feel.

Back on alignment, I am not alone. I look at a farmer who might (from afar) appear 100% content and happy in their work--but if I think my context is complex (the bullets above), I cannot even imagine. And, much of their context and ability to align “work” elements is far beyond their immediate control.

There is no major “finding” from all my mulling while lying in bed in the morning or walking my dog. Sorry if you read this far and expected it. I am working on acceptance, gratitude (oh my god, I have so much to be grateful for!!), and self-compassion. I attended a mental health summit this week as part of my efforts to support farmers and rural communities. One session was on self compassion where we learned of models to “practice” skills.

Check out https://self-compassion.org/? It’s pretty awesome. In the meantime, I need to be more accepting, humble, understanding, and patient; I am not my work. I want these attributes to be my “brand.” It’s what people will know and remember about me. If I can get 50% of my work-definition “bullets” to align, I probably am better off than 80% of the world!?