Making a Living Can be Confusing
Because it’s easy to forget about why you started doing what you do.
If you’re like me, you started a job because you wanted to have enough money to pay the bills and to take care of yourself. It’s pretty simple really.
But Something Happens Along the Way
Other motives begin to surface.
And you may find yourself doing strange things. You might start vying for a position that is twice the work yet not much more pay. Why would you do such a thing? Or you start spending time on things that make you look good, instead of things that make you more money.
Your motivation switches from just making a living to looking good, or to proving yourself to your family, or to winning, or to being number one, or to being the one who’s in control, or to being the one that everyone likes.
Suddenly, you’re caught in a different game. And making a simple living in a reasonable amount of time gets overshadowed.
Until You Get Your Paycheck
And you see that all that extra work was for nothing. You think, “I’m working so hard – going overboard actually – and my pay is the same. It’s not fair.”
But it’s fair.
No one said I had to go the extra mile. That was me wanting something more. Wanting praise. Or a raise. And hoping someone might notice. That’s me being a victim, powerless and frustrated.
I Invite you to Notice Your Motives
Why do you go to work? Who are you trying to please? What are you trying to prove? Why are you trying to be the one who wins?
Your answers to these questions can be questioned. Write down your distracting motives and question them with the four questions and turnarounds of The Work.
If you find, for example, that it’s not really your true desire to be the one in the corner office, it could affect your whole approach at work. And you might end up being able to leave the office on time more often. It might even allow you to see other opportunities for income when you’re not focused on being #1.
Have a great week,
Todd
“You are your own boss. Even if you have the most menial job in the world, you are your boss. And if you don’t like your job, welcome to The Work.” — Byron Katie, Question Your Thinking, Change The World, p. 145.
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