Today is Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Happiness Through Chaos, or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love The Daily Grind

I oftentimes find myself in work situations where I’m juggling so many balls that I nearly fall off the deep end – this week (so far) has been one of those situations. Traveling, meetings, e-mail, phone calls, dinners, more meetings, interviews, crisis management, more e-mail – you get the idea.

Only when I can quiet the cacophony down and take what I call a “100,000 foot” view (like now while I write this on a plane) do I realize that the very thing that puts me near this precipice also makes me happy.

How can this be? Am I some kind of strange thrill seeker that can only enjoy life if all heck is breaking loose and I’m in the middle of it? Am I incapable of taking satisfaction of the “still spaces” in our lives?

This used to really gnaw at me when I was younger, because of the preconceptions I had of what constituted “happy”. I didn’t think work could ever equate to happy. It was a barrier to get around, or crash through. It was only a means to an end (i.e. I need to make a living so I could have the capacity to be happy outside of my work).

Now I realize that happiness can be found in many, many places. I can experience a blissful state as I hike in a pretty and peaceful mountain valley, my mind clear and my heart soaring. But I also can get it in a conference room when my heart is racing and my mind is going through its paces at a mile a minute. Or in an airport as I’m sprinting to catch my next plane.

The key is to be in a workplace that matters to you and draws on your core talents and abilities – if you are not, then yes, the happiness part isn’t going to work I’ve been in that situation before. When you can thrive on any chaos, and actually enjoy it, then you know you’ve found the right place. If it truly is a grind, then get out!

If I can offer any useful advice through these self described “ramblings”, it is exactly this – if you aren’t happy with your work life, take whatever steps you can to change, and keep trying until you too can stop worrying and love the “daily grind”. While I know it’s easy to feel “locked in” and be afraid to take a chance and make a change – I’ve been there – the rewards are well worth the effort.

James Michener spoke much more eloquently about the “happy place” I’m talking about in this famous quote:

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both”

While I’m no master yet, that’s what I’m shooting for. Now it’s back to the chaos – have a great rest of the week!

There Are 7 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Bob on 29 March 2007:

Starbucker, I think you captured the nub of the gist quite well here. I’ve always said that if you aren’t happy with your work, NO amount of money can make it worthwhile (at least over the long term - I think - maybe - I’d be happy to do almost anything for a million dollars an hour, for one hour).

That’s what I like about my current job - I truly enjoy doing it - and it contributes to the overall feeling of satisfaction I have in my life.

Great observation, there, Bud!
Comment by (Happy) Hilda on 30 March 2007:

I completely agree Starbucker. If you think you can settle for happiness outside of work, you’re kidding yourself. In the long term, being unhappy at work is going to erode your inner strength and start spilling into your personal life.

So really, your happiness outside of work is dependent on being happy in work. Besides, given that most of us spend half our waking lives at work, aren’t we entitled to be happy there too?
Comment by Andrew B. Clark on 30 March 2007:

Boy, you really hit the nail on the head…

Out of a 24-hour day, (and who breaks their lives up in 24-hour segments?) you work at least eight hours a day… you probably spend at least one hour driving to and from your “job”… and if you’re lucky enough to sleep six hours, then you have nine hours (37%) of your daily life to find truly, fulfilling happiness.

Now, split that between family, friends and yourself (never forget yourself). Do you give each 10% of your happiness? Or do you rob Peter to pay Paul. Any way you look at it, someone gets robbed…

Make happiness a priority and create a life (work, family, etc.) as rewarding as possible - otherwise you’re glass is only 10% full… or less!

How can you make “the grind” less of a grind? How can you make the time you spend with family and friends more rewarding?

Frank Sinatra says “That’s Life.” Ain’t it a gas!

Keep Cooking!
Andrew
Comment by starbucker on 30 March 2007:

Hey Bob, Hilda and Andrew - thanks for your comments.

Bob, I love “nub of the gist” - can I steal that?

Hilda, thanks for your link to this on your blog, and you bet we’re entitled to be happy at work!

Andrew, I loved that you quoted from a Sinatra song - I love Frank and his music. Touchdown!

All the best to you all.
Comment by Valeria Maltoni on 1 April 2007:

Happiness is an attitude and a choice, no matter what we do. Our work gives us a chance to be love made visible, what it requires of us is the ability to show up and make it great (it feels borrowed from Phil;-). It sounds simple, right?

We are often ready to give up on ourselves so easily. Let’s not.
Comment by Neo on 2 April 2007:

inspiring…especially since yesterday i happen to c the will smith starring ” The pursuit of Happyness”
Comment by starbucker on 3 April 2007:

Hi Valeria and Neo - thanks for your comments.

Valeria, it’s very apt that you quote our good friend Phil - he certainly has made the choice to be happy. I won’t give up if you won’t!

Neo, I haven’t seen that movie yet, but in the wake of this post and your comment I certainly will. I’m glad my post was inspiring for you.

All the best to you both.