Sometimes we do many different things just because we like them, and ultimately because we like to feel alive. Gosh, there’s a lot more behind that sentence than it seems – much more philosophy at least – but perhaps that’s material for a future post.
Anyway, I spend so much time in so many different hobbies – and even writing a blog about said hobbies – because I do like that they make me feel alive and they provide a sense of accomplishment. Those tiny things feel amazing sometimes.
I’ve heard hundreds of times that expression that goes something like “if you do what you like for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life” and, truth be told, I think it would be very difficult to find one single case in which said proverb is true. I DO like what I do for a living, but hell I have to work really hard and things don’t come easy to me.
Of course, doing something you like is much more enjoyable than having a crappy job you hate, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work for the results. And getting positive results after you have worked your ass off is wonderful.
Sometimes that feeling of accomplishment eludes you, no matter what you do. I always tell young people who are just entering the working market about an experience I had several years ago, with a very shitty job I had. The thing is that the job itself wasn’t shitty, and I was definitely not a lousy worker – I’ve never been one – but when my predecessor left the position open, she left no clear directions as to how to tackle any of her obligations, and the worst part was that whenever I asked other people for help, the answer was something like “oh, the girl who held the position before you could do it all and didn’t need any help” and I though “of course, she had been doing it for years. I’m new here and most definitely need directions to know what to do”.
So, something that was theoretically a piece of cake, became a nightmare for me, for the clients and for my employers. I was so stressed out I suffered at a physical level – I worked there for six months and I didn’t have my period for 3 out of those 6 months. My period came back on my last day on the job. I swear to god.
I’ve had many kinds of jobs – good, bad, excellent, relaxed, super stressful, creative, repetitive, social, extremely isolated – you name it, but every time I manage to impress someone with my abilities I invariably still get a high.
I was super lucky today because I got to re-live the feeling… you know, the butterflies in your stomach as you get ready for the pitch; the certainty that you have analyzed what you were required, and that you now have an interesting insight on the problem at hand… even a unique point of view nobody else had realized, thus increasing the value you can bring to the table; the feeling arising from believing you are able to see something someone else has missed, and the window to seize that opportunity, and finally the confirmation of that belief when you see the surprise in the face of others. You know they are thinking you are clever, they even question themselves ‘How did I miss that? Why didn’t I think so myself?” and you feel alive. You moved your pieces correctly and you are a move away from a check mate. For a second there you outsmarted everyone and you are the only one with a clear view of the strategy. You are definitely alive. And if your job can make you feel alive every now and then, you should consider yourself a very lucky person. I know I do.
So, it was a good day: a satisfying day at work and lunch with the family. Today it is Mother’s day in Mexico, so greetings to all of those whose mother is still with us, or to those who have children of their own. XOXO J
