25 Things I Love About Work
This morning before I sat down to write, I was feeling stressed out because I got off to a late start and don't have as much time to write as I normally do. "What will I write about in such little time?!," I wondered. "I have to get this done ASAP so I can make those website updates today!," I thought.
Then, a sweet little ping of inspiration hit me: I can have fun with this.
I can have fun with this constraint, this lack of time.
It doesn't have to be hard and anxiety-ridden, which is something I'm trying to remember more and more in every part of my life.
So, instead of trying to plan out a dense, wordy post for you, I decided I'd give myself five minutes to celebrate what I love about work. I set a timer and wrote down as many of my favorite aspects of work as I could.
I focused on what brings me joy and tried to have fun with this instead, and it turned out to be an illuminating exercise! I'll tell you what I learned after I share the list.
25 things I love about work:
Collaborations with cool people
Shaping ideas
Getting paid
Coffee dates
Opening up shop (meaning: starting early)
Starting late when I want to
Learning new things about my clients' lives
Breakfast meetings
The first email check of the day
Building presentations and curriculum
Learning about different company cultures and wondering what makes organizations tick
Having rhythm throughout the day: work, break, work, break, stretch, work...
Opportunities to express gratitude, which are everywhere
Sharing that knowing look with a colleague in the hallway, like "We got this."
Getting in the zone
Dreaming about what could be...
Dry erase boards
Having a workspace that's mine and full of inspiration
Color-coded calendars
Excel formula magic (up to a point)
The fact that we always get to choose how we show up in our work
When I looked back over my list, I realized that I really want more of two things:
A dry erase board, and...
More connections/collaborations/partnerships with other people doing soulful work in the world.
I knew my desire to collaborate has been getting mulled over in the back of my mind, but it came out so clearly on my list that it surprised me a little.
Isn't that what it's all about for most of us, anyway? Finding connection and meaning in our work? Partnering with others to build something we care about and that serves others?
Work gets a bad rap a lot of the time because, well, it's complicated. But we can celebrate work - it can be fun and life-giving and meaningful.
What do you love about "work"?
If you're interested, time yourself for 5 minutes or less and jot down as many things you love about work as you can. What does your list say? And how can you get more of what's on there into your day to day life?