I’ve been really busy with work lately. I have a big contract that keeps me busy, and some miscellaneous and interesting projects have come in over the transom. I’m working at least 50 hours a week right now, and you know what? I don’t hate it.
Because: the only thing that I have ever felt 100% certain about in my life is if I get up and go to work, somehow things will work out. This world seems deeply unsettled to me, and if I am busy working, then I am not doomscrolling. It’s a great privilege to have plentiful and interesting work, and I am grateful for it. In addition, it’s nice to have extra money to donate at a time when food banks and community organizations really need it.
I’m not a workaholic, and an online quiz offered by Psychology Today proves it. I joke that successful freelancers need children or dogs to keep them on a schedule. I have neither at home right now, but I acquired the habit of shutting down for the day before suppertime years ago. I work my eight to ten hours, then get on with whatever else is going on.
Anyway, as part of my work, I get a lot of emails from different organizations that have lots of ideas on how you can do your work better. Here goes:
McKinsey Publishing Guides: The consulting firm has packaged some if its research into free newsletter courses to help people with their management and leadership skills.
Bloom Anywhere: Freelance writer and Inc. contributor Gwen Moran has a newsletter about work and life. Check it out!
Harvard University: Harvard has a bunch of free online courses on subjects ranging from computer science to theology. Finally, my chance to learn Python!
And if you think you are veering into workaholism, the Harvard Business Review has some advice.
What are your thoughts on work and overwork? Share them in the comments.
Some other posts on work:
I took the test just to see where I rate -- no workaholism here! One really good thing working as nurse early in my career taught/underscored for me is that work really doesn't matter: At the end of life, all you really have left are the relationships you've established and nurtured. (Yes, you can leave behind a legacy w your work & I'm proud of the work I've done that may outlive me, but none of that matches up to the legacy I'll leave via connections) I'm glad you have plenty of interesting work right now!