The unsung hero in our work lives is the soul. Our physical and mental abilities and skills generally receive the bulk of the praise when we perform or jobs well. But neither the mind nor the body can generate the will or energy to do our jobs well. That bonus you received was more indebted to your soul’s ability to engage the mind and body in the tasks at hand.
Your employer does not hire hands to work or a mind to think. They employ a soul to share the employer’s passion for the work and to engage in working and furthering the employer’s goals. Otherwise, the work is poorly preformed regardless of the skills and knowledge of the employee. This is why merely managing human resources, the minds and bodies of the employers, will not yield good results. The good manager hires people with good skills and knowledge but then goes on to inspire the soul to engage in the work. The soul is just as important to our work lives as our ability to perform the duties of the job.
In 1949, Lee J. Cobb took the stage as Willie Loman in Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. Willie is a tragic figure who exemplifies the failure of the soul to help him through his life as a salesman. Willie was never a stellar performer on the road. But as he aged, he lost his ability to “charm” his clients into buying anything. This is more than mere failure to meet his goals. It is more than an economic failure. His soul fell into the abyss of self-doubt, meaninglessness, and hopeless despair. The play ends with Willie deciding that suicide is not only the only choice, but his best choice at finding what he had been seeking all of his life, meaning and self-determination. Willie has become an icon for the soul that succumbs to burnout, loss of self, and the defeat of the human spirit before the idol of employment success.
Too many of us base our value and worth on what our hands and mind can produce. Further, we allow the world to define us and place a value on us through how important we are in fulfilling its goals. Self-care of the soul demands that we take back our permission to let the world define us by finding our own self-worth and value.
This begins with growing into our joys. Do not simply find your passion, discover the things that truly bring you joy. If you are able to be employed by someone who pays you to do those things, then pour yourself into your work. But remember, it is the joy that is your real paycheck. Unfortunately, many of us are not able to find work that neatly matches our passion and joy. If that is the case, develop other opportunities to do that which brings you joy. Look upon your employment as a “day job” that allows you to do your “real” work. Do not forget that the reason you are working is to fill and fulfill your life, not to be enslaved to another’s needs or goals. As we grow into our joys, we will engage life. Willie Loman will be someone else’s story. Our story will not be easy, but it will bring us meaning, joy, and hope for a life well-lived.
Your employer does not hire hands to work or a mind to think. They employ a soul to share the employer’s passion for the work and to engage in working and furthering the employer’s goals. Otherwise, the work is poorly preformed regardless of the skills and knowledge of the employee. This is why merely managing human resources, the minds and bodies of the employers, will not yield good results. The good manager hires people with good skills and knowledge but then goes on to inspire the soul to engage in the work. The soul is just as important to our work lives as our ability to perform the duties of the job.
In 1949, Lee J. Cobb took the stage as Willie Loman in Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. Willie is a tragic figure who exemplifies the failure of the soul to help him through his life as a salesman. Willie was never a stellar performer on the road. But as he aged, he lost his ability to “charm” his clients into buying anything. This is more than mere failure to meet his goals. It is more than an economic failure. His soul fell into the abyss of self-doubt, meaninglessness, and hopeless despair. The play ends with Willie deciding that suicide is not only the only choice, but his best choice at finding what he had been seeking all of his life, meaning and self-determination. Willie has become an icon for the soul that succumbs to burnout, loss of self, and the defeat of the human spirit before the idol of employment success.
Too many of us base our value and worth on what our hands and mind can produce. Further, we allow the world to define us and place a value on us through how important we are in fulfilling its goals. Self-care of the soul demands that we take back our permission to let the world define us by finding our own self-worth and value.
This begins with growing into our joys. Do not simply find your passion, discover the things that truly bring you joy. If you are able to be employed by someone who pays you to do those things, then pour yourself into your work. But remember, it is the joy that is your real paycheck. Unfortunately, many of us are not able to find work that neatly matches our passion and joy. If that is the case, develop other opportunities to do that which brings you joy. Look upon your employment as a “day job” that allows you to do your “real” work. Do not forget that the reason you are working is to fill and fulfill your life, not to be enslaved to another’s needs or goals. As we grow into our joys, we will engage life. Willie Loman will be someone else’s story. Our story will not be easy, but it will bring us meaning, joy, and hope for a life well-lived.
TIP - Boundaries
The tip for self-Care of the Soul at work is very simple. Find the boundaries that promote joy in your work life.
This may mean making clear distinctions between work and non-work. Work is work! Home is home! Compartmentalize not only our hours you engage in each, but your expectations of each.
Allow work to be one of several ways you find joy and meaning in life. Cultivate a sense of value and purpose in your hobbies, social, and family life. Allow them to be part of the way that you define and measure your “success.” Dedicate yourself to becoming the person who feels good about their whole life and refuse to sacrifice a single moment on the altar of someone else’s goals and expectations.
Finally, establish a clear boundary about what you are willing to pay for that life well-lived. You alone can say what the price should be, and you alone should determine when the price is too high.
May your work life bring you the joy that sustains you and the hope that inspires you. If not, may you find ways that will fulfill your joy and hope and reframe your job and private life as ways to support these paths.
Blessings,
Bob
This may mean making clear distinctions between work and non-work. Work is work! Home is home! Compartmentalize not only our hours you engage in each, but your expectations of each.
Allow work to be one of several ways you find joy and meaning in life. Cultivate a sense of value and purpose in your hobbies, social, and family life. Allow them to be part of the way that you define and measure your “success.” Dedicate yourself to becoming the person who feels good about their whole life and refuse to sacrifice a single moment on the altar of someone else’s goals and expectations.
Finally, establish a clear boundary about what you are willing to pay for that life well-lived. You alone can say what the price should be, and you alone should determine when the price is too high.
May your work life bring you the joy that sustains you and the hope that inspires you. If not, may you find ways that will fulfill your joy and hope and reframe your job and private life as ways to support these paths.
Blessings,
Bob
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