Coming up on three years in my present job, I recently took inventory of my accomplishments of the past 3 years. This was not an easy or pleasant process but I found it insightful and encouraging once done. It occurred to me that I need to do this more often and possible more in real time than periodically. The fact is that we do our work too much in a mindless, for granted mode. This leads to our losing touch with it's purpose and effect in the world which can lead to feelings of disconnection, ennui, frustration, and waste. I know because I struggle with this, but also because I see this so often in my coaching, and particularly when I am asking about work histories as a part of the resume development and interview preparation process.
Too many are unfamiliar with, and unappreciative of, their work even as they do it. I say that work consumes entirely too much of one's life to justify this type disconnection and mindlessness. I think methods of mindfulness, appreciative inquiry and reflective writing can stand us in good stead in this practice of watching our work. These methods that help us to be present, curious and accountable in our work.
As I watch my work, it occurs to me that all my work can be nicely divided into 4 categories: tasks, relationships, collaborations and results. Tasks are what I do, relationships are who I know, collaboration synergizes the first two, and results are what the first 3 produce. These categories are useful as a framework for watching one's work, and even for planning improvement in my work from moment to moment, whether in my paid work, non-paid volunteer work, housework, family work or self work for that matter.
I mean to suggest here that we can 1) derive more meaning and enjoyment from our work, 2) a greater ability to articulate the process and results of our work and 3) purposeful development in our work if we were more mindful and appreciatively curious about our work and what we wanted it to produce in the world.
I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to watch your work. And, yes, please share how it benefits you.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Watching our Work!
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2 comments:
Very interesting post. As a pharmaceutical copywriter, I often to struggle to find meaning in what I do (let's face it: writing detail aids is not that significant!), but I do think I have productive relationships at my job. We collaborate well, and produce good results. I just need to work on the "task" part - seeing it as more than just something to be done quickly and correctly. Thanks for making me think.
Anonymous, surely you see that detail aids play a significant role in the education of doctors as well as the proper administration of drugs, no?
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