This was meaningful because all I see around me these days is a call to not care about work at all because capitalism is evil, etc etc. I find this to be silly because it totally disregards that ambition and discipline are valuable traits in themselves regardless of who your labor is serving. I want to do a good job so I can live up to my principles and because I inherently derive satisfaction from increasing level of mastery. It’s not the work I’m passionate about but it does bring me satisfaction like writing does. I also apply what you say to writing - I don’t feel like it much of the time but it’s so satisfying to have produced something with original ideas such that my work performance matters even less to me in terms of self worth. The labor of writing in itself helps me think better, which itself is also valuable because our society has stopped thinking or valuing it, at least. I also found that energy toward labor made me less depressed because it was something to derive satisfaction from and helped me build an identity as a disciplined person. Would love to see something in the future from you about the inherent value of work versus what is in the cultural water ;)
Firstly, thank you so much for this thorough and thoughtful comment. I appreciate you reading my ideas and sharing so many well-founded anecdotes and complementary points. I resonate with you on many of them.
Also, I didn’t even realize that I likely subconsciously wrote on the topic of work because of the growing culture of demonizing capitalism until you brought it up. I also find immense satisfaction in both work and writing, but in different ways. I’d love to explore more of these differences and write on them soon.
Lastly - thank you so much for the future suggestion! I likely won’t give my two cents on cultural/political views (at least not explicitly), but that’s why I read newsletters like yours which are much more informed in these areas than I! You’re a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.
Wise words I’m grateful to find this morning. I’m struggling to just write and let it flow. I KNOW we write our way to our ideas, and I’m still clenched. 😕 I appreciate Jen’s thoughtfully crafted posts so much. And now this from you. 😇
I’ve found that sometimes the flow is present and sometimes not. It’s a difficult thing to write 500 words and toss them out. But I’ve found that if something keeps coming up on my mind to explore, the words flow out easily. But, this comes from a practice of synthesizing things I read across disciplines as well. I don’t think the advice to “just write” is helpful, so maybe a thing to try is noticing the patterns in the ideas you contemplate?
That makes a lot of sense and explains what’s actually going on I’m my head. I’m anyways exposing myself to ideas and seeing connections. I am very much in synthesis mode.
As a retired teacher of 33years in Secondary education, mostly 8th grade, I didn't love the politics around my career, but I loved the students.
After three years of retirement, I find myself enjoying not having to do anything I don't want to do.
Want, desire, aspiration, etc. are what drives us. Being able to shift our focus, change our mindset, about where we are and digging deep for the root of any discontent is vital for our own self growth. Humans often walk away for the next new thing only to find the discontent still there eventually after the newness wears off.
Society as a whole needs a shift from driving humans towards "succes" in an unsustainable way, and focusing on giving everyone the skills to truly self evaluate and make meaningful personal growth, and provide access to mental health services when needed. Healthy happy humans tend to be more productive.
Kimberly, I love everything you have to say here. Personal development, mental health, following one’s aspirations, digging deep… this is the kind of stuff that drives me. I can’t get enough of it.
Also, congratulations on your retirement (even if it’s been awhile - it still deserves congrats!) and thank you for your 33 years of teaching the next generations. Our world is better off because of you. ♥️
“To not act upon ambition is to turn our backs on ourselves and our purpose for being. Without work, nothing prospers. But without ambition, nothing works.” Wow!
One of my favorite quotes is “Work is love made visible” by Khalil Gibran. In fact, I have it posted in multiple places of our inn/restaurant to remind myself, and our employees of the opportunity they have to bless their world! I am well aware that work is often not done in this spirit. But you lay out so well for us in this article of why it should be, and that it can be. Although my life is truly filled with so many opportunities to do the things I love as work this was a great reminder to delve in a bit more to the connection of ambition and mastery. As always a worthwhile read! Thanks, Jen!
Wayne, you just reminded me that I need to reread The Prophet. I am so grateful you shared this wise quote and thoughtful comment. It’s people like you who give me hope. (And you sound like an incredible boss, too). Thank you, thank you, thank you. 🙏
1. Find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
This couldn't be further from the truth. If I love doing something, you bet I'm going to work my butt off to do anything to make it succeed. Yet what determines that success? That's where the mind trap exists, the balance between perceived success and work.
I'm going to be successful after I write my first book, publish my podcast, etc. Those statements make people miss the journey in the endeavor the love. They tend working more and more to meet the next attainable goal, that then becomes a job and it's not ambition but work. That's why people burnout and go to the next shiny object.
2. Your ambition and passion won't pay the bills.
This one hits home for me as a kid who wanted to be an archeologist. I love history and wanted nothing more to be the next Indiana Jones. Sadly, one must realize that in order to survive you have to do something that puts food on the table or pays the bills.
It's a tightrope walk when realizing that sometimes we must place happiness or ambition on hold in order to survive. Granted most people don't end up becoming who they said they'd be on their 6th grade career day. That's because it's drilled into our heads that an honest days work is more valuable than chasing that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
My thought is this. Ambition is something we chase when we're not working. Once ambition gets us there, it's up to us to make sure it doesn't feel like work.
Joe, these are such excellent points and I’m better off because you shared them. There’s a lot to be said about the responsibility we hold for making sure our work doesn’t feel like work. I’ll be pondering on this for a bit. Thank you 🙏
Too many equate work with a job. A job is not necessarily your work. Your work is what you care about most, what you are passionate about. A job is often what you have to do in order to e abe to get to do your work. I would add this to the Bill Bradley quote. Perseverance is the action that keeps you going in spite of difficulties while persisting. Bill is a contemporary of mine (7 years younger) and I am a big fan of his. For some in-depth insight into Bill Bradley's life, and the road to mastery, take the time to watch this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1xmroPgznI
Jen, I look forward to your writing so much. Each time it arrives, I schedule a slot for myself to take it all in with the privilege of full attention.
Saved and restacked! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning as I’m feeling great resistance to my life’s work and have been trying to figure out why. I’ll revisit your words regularly. Thank you, Jen!
Taking voice lessons was a hobby of mine but in the last six months voice has become a passion. I never imagined I could find it so richly fulfilling and pleasurable, and there is music in my head all through the day--some of it me singing songs I'm working on. And I've published two essays about it already with a third just accepted.
Absolutely loved this read. Each point hit home! The journey to fulfilling work feels messy and overwhelming at times. I'll absolutely be revisiting this post for encouragement as I persist through grad school while balancing my entrepreneurial ambition ... thank you for sharing :)
It's all about the perspective, Jen, and you explained it so beautifully here. We often end up complaining about lack of fulfilment because we constantly seek what someone very ahead of us in the journey has. I truly believe that every step we take is leading us to a life that we desire and everything that happens truly has a purpose for us in life. We have to keep showing up with gratitude. This has encouraged me to not give up and look for positives in the work I do instead of constantly wanting what others have.
This was meaningful because all I see around me these days is a call to not care about work at all because capitalism is evil, etc etc. I find this to be silly because it totally disregards that ambition and discipline are valuable traits in themselves regardless of who your labor is serving. I want to do a good job so I can live up to my principles and because I inherently derive satisfaction from increasing level of mastery. It’s not the work I’m passionate about but it does bring me satisfaction like writing does. I also apply what you say to writing - I don’t feel like it much of the time but it’s so satisfying to have produced something with original ideas such that my work performance matters even less to me in terms of self worth. The labor of writing in itself helps me think better, which itself is also valuable because our society has stopped thinking or valuing it, at least. I also found that energy toward labor made me less depressed because it was something to derive satisfaction from and helped me build an identity as a disciplined person. Would love to see something in the future from you about the inherent value of work versus what is in the cultural water ;)
Anuradha,
Firstly, thank you so much for this thorough and thoughtful comment. I appreciate you reading my ideas and sharing so many well-founded anecdotes and complementary points. I resonate with you on many of them.
Also, I didn’t even realize that I likely subconsciously wrote on the topic of work because of the growing culture of demonizing capitalism until you brought it up. I also find immense satisfaction in both work and writing, but in different ways. I’d love to explore more of these differences and write on them soon.
Lastly - thank you so much for the future suggestion! I likely won’t give my two cents on cultural/political views (at least not explicitly), but that’s why I read newsletters like yours which are much more informed in these areas than I! You’re a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.
That's so kind of you; I find you a fountain of wisdom :-D
Likewise!
Wise words I’m grateful to find this morning. I’m struggling to just write and let it flow. I KNOW we write our way to our ideas, and I’m still clenched. 😕 I appreciate Jen’s thoughtfully crafted posts so much. And now this from you. 😇
I’ve found that sometimes the flow is present and sometimes not. It’s a difficult thing to write 500 words and toss them out. But I’ve found that if something keeps coming up on my mind to explore, the words flow out easily. But, this comes from a practice of synthesizing things I read across disciplines as well. I don’t think the advice to “just write” is helpful, so maybe a thing to try is noticing the patterns in the ideas you contemplate?
That makes a lot of sense and explains what’s actually going on I’m my head. I’m anyways exposing myself to ideas and seeing connections. I am very much in synthesis mode.
Jen, another piece I'll be returning to, thank you. Your words are gentle but firm, they make me stop and ponder what you have written.
Thank you so much, Nicole ♥️
Your encouragement means so much
Without labor, nothing prospers. This is so beautiful.
Truely! Good things take work <3
♥️
Thank you, Senetta!
As a retired teacher of 33years in Secondary education, mostly 8th grade, I didn't love the politics around my career, but I loved the students.
After three years of retirement, I find myself enjoying not having to do anything I don't want to do.
Want, desire, aspiration, etc. are what drives us. Being able to shift our focus, change our mindset, about where we are and digging deep for the root of any discontent is vital for our own self growth. Humans often walk away for the next new thing only to find the discontent still there eventually after the newness wears off.
Society as a whole needs a shift from driving humans towards "succes" in an unsustainable way, and focusing on giving everyone the skills to truly self evaluate and make meaningful personal growth, and provide access to mental health services when needed. Healthy happy humans tend to be more productive.
Kimberly, I love everything you have to say here. Personal development, mental health, following one’s aspirations, digging deep… this is the kind of stuff that drives me. I can’t get enough of it.
Also, congratulations on your retirement (even if it’s been awhile - it still deserves congrats!) and thank you for your 33 years of teaching the next generations. Our world is better off because of you. ♥️
Love the “digging deep for the root of any discontent.” An examined life! I find educators are good seekers. Our facility and joy is in learning!
“To not act upon ambition is to turn our backs on ourselves and our purpose for being. Without work, nothing prospers. But without ambition, nothing works.” Wow!
Thank you, Joanna! ♥️
One of my favorite quotes is “Work is love made visible” by Khalil Gibran. In fact, I have it posted in multiple places of our inn/restaurant to remind myself, and our employees of the opportunity they have to bless their world! I am well aware that work is often not done in this spirit. But you lay out so well for us in this article of why it should be, and that it can be. Although my life is truly filled with so many opportunities to do the things I love as work this was a great reminder to delve in a bit more to the connection of ambition and mastery. As always a worthwhile read! Thanks, Jen!
Wayne, you just reminded me that I need to reread The Prophet. I am so grateful you shared this wise quote and thoughtful comment. It’s people like you who give me hope. (And you sound like an incredible boss, too). Thank you, thank you, thank you. 🙏
Thank you for your kind words! Many blessings as your work continues to encourage humanity on a journey upward!
That's the dream! But it won't be an individual endeavor. We need countless people - like you and (hopefully) I - to uplift humanity.
Thank you so much, Wayne Stoner ❤️
You are so correct! But together, many people, as one. We can!❤️ deeply honored to be counted in the number!
I'm reminded of two sayings after reading this.
1. Find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
This couldn't be further from the truth. If I love doing something, you bet I'm going to work my butt off to do anything to make it succeed. Yet what determines that success? That's where the mind trap exists, the balance between perceived success and work.
I'm going to be successful after I write my first book, publish my podcast, etc. Those statements make people miss the journey in the endeavor the love. They tend working more and more to meet the next attainable goal, that then becomes a job and it's not ambition but work. That's why people burnout and go to the next shiny object.
2. Your ambition and passion won't pay the bills.
This one hits home for me as a kid who wanted to be an archeologist. I love history and wanted nothing more to be the next Indiana Jones. Sadly, one must realize that in order to survive you have to do something that puts food on the table or pays the bills.
It's a tightrope walk when realizing that sometimes we must place happiness or ambition on hold in order to survive. Granted most people don't end up becoming who they said they'd be on their 6th grade career day. That's because it's drilled into our heads that an honest days work is more valuable than chasing that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
My thought is this. Ambition is something we chase when we're not working. Once ambition gets us there, it's up to us to make sure it doesn't feel like work.
Joe, these are such excellent points and I’m better off because you shared them. There’s a lot to be said about the responsibility we hold for making sure our work doesn’t feel like work. I’ll be pondering on this for a bit. Thank you 🙏
Too many equate work with a job. A job is not necessarily your work. Your work is what you care about most, what you are passionate about. A job is often what you have to do in order to e abe to get to do your work. I would add this to the Bill Bradley quote. Perseverance is the action that keeps you going in spite of difficulties while persisting. Bill is a contemporary of mine (7 years younger) and I am a big fan of his. For some in-depth insight into Bill Bradley's life, and the road to mastery, take the time to watch this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1xmroPgznI
Love this! Thank you, Gary!
Wonderful piece, as per usual, Jen! This reminds me of some stuff I've read and written, too:
On Unromanticizing Passion by Ria Tagulinao on Skinny Deep: https://open.substack.com/pub/riatagulinao/p/28-on-unromanticizing-passion?r=aowli&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
What happens after you find your place in the sun: https://buhaycopywriter.substack.com/p/what-happens-after-you-find-your
I especially love how you tied in other concepts like privilege and being willing to aim higher & persist.
Cheers!
And my recent piece about whether you should make your hobby/passion your livelihood: https://buhaycopywriter.substack.com/p/should-you-make-your-hobby-your-main
Incredible! Thank you, Regina!
This post is a great reminder to embrace the privilege of work and approach each day with gratitude and a willingness to grow.
Absolutely! Thank you Lord James!
Jones, but I appreciate it! 😊
AH! Sorry Lord Jones - thank you for the correction!
Jen, I look forward to your writing so much. Each time it arrives, I schedule a slot for myself to take it all in with the privilege of full attention.
Thanks for sharing your ambition.
I’m so grateful for you, Graeme. Thank you for your kind words and for financially supporting me on this journey. I see you.
🙏
Saved and restacked! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning as I’m feeling great resistance to my life’s work and have been trying to figure out why. I’ll revisit your words regularly. Thank you, Jen!
Thank you so much, Katie! I’m so grateful for you!
Taking voice lessons was a hobby of mine but in the last six months voice has become a passion. I never imagined I could find it so richly fulfilling and pleasurable, and there is music in my head all through the day--some of it me singing songs I'm working on. And I've published two essays about it already with a third just accepted.
This is lovely, Lev!
Thank you. Every lesson becomes a new source of delight and feels like a journey of discovery. This is where I began publishing about it: https://www.levraphael.com/healthyaging-levraphael.pdf
Absolutely loved this read. Each point hit home! The journey to fulfilling work feels messy and overwhelming at times. I'll absolutely be revisiting this post for encouragement as I persist through grad school while balancing my entrepreneurial ambition ... thank you for sharing :)
Thank you so much, Mackenzie!
It's all about the perspective, Jen, and you explained it so beautifully here. We often end up complaining about lack of fulfilment because we constantly seek what someone very ahead of us in the journey has. I truly believe that every step we take is leading us to a life that we desire and everything that happens truly has a purpose for us in life. We have to keep showing up with gratitude. This has encouraged me to not give up and look for positives in the work I do instead of constantly wanting what others have.
Absolutely, Mansi! Thank you so much. I couldn’t agree more ♥️
Wonderful!
Thank you so much, Howard! I am so grateful for you and your support. Your kindness and generosity do not escape me 🙏♥️