The hustle-first work culture and un-checked capitalism are full of promise of financial and career success. If I’m not careful, I can let those promises push me to in-humane levels of productivity and burn out.
But what’s the alternative?
I’m not advocating quitting projects, closing down all social connections, becoming a monk, or churning my own butter…though I have nothing against those that decide to go off-grid. I get the rationale!
I’m talking about operating in a different mental gear altogether. To start, I try to step back and evaluate my project goals. Why am I overloaded? How do I make my work sustainable? How do I create more satisfaction in my work? How do I provide well for me and those depending on me to do so?
For those with a Bible background, here’s what Ecclesiastes says: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” To me this includes single tasking, time blocking, and stepping away when a project…both at work and at home…is complete. It means enjoying my work, trying new things, and keeping a loose hold of the results.
My job title and my projects are irrelevant to the satisfaction I get from my work. It is possible, too, that the only choice in the work that I have to do may be my attitude and how I show up every day.
Let’s give ourselves grace and be kind to ourselves. We are not machines, we are organisms that are growing and changing by the minute. Work is good! But work done well, at a sustainable pace, is even more rewarding.
The work that we love to do is needed for the long game.