I have only met a few people who enjoy working out on the treadmill. It is tedious, monotonous, and usually not too enjoyable. Most of my time on a treadmill is spent looking at a timer with a towel covering it as if it would make the time go faster! Sometimes, something or someone might catch your eye when on the treadmill, and just for a moment, you stumble, lose your way, or even fall off entirely, which can hurt.
For many people, work is like a treadmill.
We don’t use it because we want to, but just because we have to. We are always looking for ways to shorten the work day and finally end it.
As I describe in the five stages model, this stumble off of life’s treadmill can be a relationship breakout, a job layoff, a financial crisis, an unexpected illness, or just a slight depression as you lie in bed at night wondering if there is all there is. But remember, these are also opportunities for positive change.
I call this the trigger stage. When this stage occurs, it is essential to take an hour, a day, a month, or a year to reflect on what is most important to you and why, and start moving towards what you want most in your life, especially your work. This reflection is your power, your control over your life. If reflection doesn’t occur during these difficult moments, you will move back to the treadmill of life. Reflection will enable you to move to change, stage 3, and if you listen to your inner voice, to stage 4 and a new beginning. A new beginning will bring new possibilities, new opportunities, and, most important, new happiness.
So, when you find yourself on the treadmill of life, seize the opportunity during your next trigger event to move toward a new beginning and new possibilities.
Remember, I’m here, cheering you on as you go. You’re not alone in this journey.
The last days of this summer
Summer is nearing the end, and kids are back to school; summer vacations are over, people are back in the office, and new programs and processes are competing again for our attention.
Those early summer daydreams of change, new work, and new possibilities are replaced by a sudden shift in momentum and focus.
But it doesn’t have to be this way NOW.
As the summer ends, the fall looms close by; what exciting shifts can you make in your life now and why? What new priorities can bring a fresh perspective to your life now and why?
Now, more than ever, it’s urgent to make new decisions and take immediate action. This is the time to move closer to what YOU want in your work and life and farther away from what you DON’T wish to do. The clock is ticking; the sooner you act, the sooner you’ll see results.
As summer draws to a close, remember that it’s not an end, but a fresh start. A NEW chapter in your life can now be started, filled with potential and possibilities.
The Bookstore Test
The most exhilarating path to Joyful Work is to align your abilities (and what you are motivated to do) with your deepest interests. This alignment is not just about work, it’s about finding joy in what you do.
Imagine yourself in a large physical bookstore today for two hours. What part of the store would you find yourself drawn to the most? This simple exercise, which I call the bookstore test, can be a fascinating journey of self-discovery, revealing your deep interests.
The path to joyful work might be the hardest work of all, but it is also the best path to an authentic life.
What is an authentic life?
This is a topic I always discuss with my students.
The most essential goal is to achieve happiness, a sense of peace and contentment in our lives, and a sense of purpose.
Many throw this word around but rarely discuss what it actually means.
In my own life, the pursuit of authenticity has been a lifelong journey. It hasn’t been easy, but in hindsight, it has been the most rewarding journey, filled with moments of joy and fulfillment, even though I didn’t always realize it at the time.
Living an authentic life means deeply understanding yourself. It means aligning what is most important to you (your values) with consistent daily behaviors. For instance, if you value honesty, you might make it a habit to always speak the truth, even when it’s difficult.
Living an authentic life means having integrity. This means always striving to be honest and transparent with myself and others, holding myself to a high standard in my behavior, and communicating with others. The most challenging part of living an authentic life is finally learning to accept yourself, including your unique qualities and those with flaws. Learning to live with your flaws and not trying to be perfect will be the most significant challenge to living an authentic life, but it will also be the one that empowers you and brings you peace of mind.
I like to tell my students to become experts at one thing rather than just average at many. Focus on strengths, not weaknesses, unless, of course, there are areas in your life that you are motivated to improve.
True acceptance of yourself will bring both personal growth and inner peace. Finally, finding joyful work that you can do forever is an outcome of living an authentic life. Equally important are the relationships that make you feel whole, as they play a significant role in your journey towards authenticity, making you feel connected and understood.
When I was a little boy and even older :), my grandma, who I called Gam, used to ask me, Bagel (that is what she called me ), if I was happy.
When I was younger, I never had a straight answer for her.
But if she were here today, I would say, yes, Gam, I am happy!
The path to an authentic life is not easy, but it should be the central focus of your life journey.