Do What You Love
Something was missing in my work. My typical schedule is up at 5:00 a.m. and leisurely read two chapters of Psalms, one chapter of Proverbs (matches the day of the month) and one chapter somewhere else in the Bible. A little prayer time... on to email to see if there is anything urgent... take a breakfast break... and then the day goes non-stop.
I love my work, but I have not found time to write. I am not the best writer, but when I have a topic that really interests me it is a deep passion that gives me great joy.
So this week I changed two things:
I get up at 4:30 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m. (I am going to bed 30 minutes earlier too.)
After the study/prayer time, I spend one hour writing. Then I move faster through the rest of my morning so the net result is a loss of 15 minutes of less of my day, BUT I was able to write for one hour!
What is your passion about your work? Are other requirements crowding out your passion? If the answer is "yes," then I recommend you build Sanctuary time into your days (plural) to pursue your passion. (No outside communication or interruptions. Just focus on a meaningful activity.) This morning I got up earlier after a poor night's sleep, BUT I was wide awake all day - particularly as I was writing early in the morning!
Do not let your life get so busy that you leave out the best, whether your best is time with your family, a hike to see the waterfalls this time of year or maybe a project that you have delayed two years (like my writing)!
OVERWORKED / UNDERJOYED is about making certain at least part of your work is doing what you love the most. This not only makes work more fulfilling, but will make you more productive throughout your day.
Here are some ideas for discussion during your next staff meeting to consider how to be more overjoyed than overworked?
If you could be doing any type of work today, what would it be?
Why would that work be meaningful to you?
How could this work benefit our company?
What work activities are you doing that do not significantly contribute to your achieving the desired results you have set with your boss and/or team?
Can you stop doing that work, or delegate it to someone else with your boss' permission?
How much time each day would you need to do this work? Can it be done by working more effectively for the same or less hours than you do today?
What needs to happen so we can try a pilot for one week, then one month and then one quarter to try you pursuing this passion and then evaluate how it is affecting your overall performance?
