Work and perspective
I’m currently working on the new Quadro module on „Work Organisation“. What I wrote in one of the introductory chapters really struck a chord with me, so I’d like to share it with you in advance.
Three stonemasons working on a building site were asked by a passer-by: „What are you doing there?“ The first replied: „I’m cutting stone.“ The second replied, „I’m working on an archway.„ The third replied, “I’m helping the famous architect Christopher Wren to build a cathedral.” You can imagine who derived more meaning and satisfaction from their work.
Every person – unless they happen to be a drug dealer – contributes through their job to enriching the lives of others. They help, so to speak, the great architect of life to feed, clothe, educate and transport people, and much more besides.
You have the choice of saying: „I manufacture screws“ or „I sell clothes“ or „I help people to fasten things together.“ Or „Thanks to my job, other people can dress themselves and express their personality.“
The broader the perspective, the more fulfilling the work feels – even when it involves monotonous tasks such as changing nappies („I’m helping a little person to live a healthy life“) or filing paperwork („I’m helping others to find their way“). Whether you’re programming computers or selling bread rolls – it’s deeply satisfying to remember how your work enriches the lives of others. And you can tell others too: „What you do enriches my life.“
Just think: How do other people’s jobs enrich your life? How does your job contribute to theirs?
Go ahead: For 10 activities that you don’t particularly enjoy, write down specifically how they enrich your life or the lives of others.
I know the version of the story in which a little boy sees the almost-finished lion in the sculptor’s workshop and asks the master: „How did you know the lion was in there?“
For me, there’s another important aspect to this: vision – the ability to foresee the potential that lies within the stone.