First, to help you focus mindfully on the work you do, a few questions about you--for your own journal or discussion:
1. Who am I? As someone who works at what I do, what is my
identity?
2. What am I accomplishing at work? What do I want to accomplish in my life through this work?
3. How was my work good or challenging yesterday? How might
that impact my efforts or the efforts of others today?
4. What’s the most important lesson I’ve been learning in my
work as a/an _____________ (insert occupation or role)? This lesson is
important because...
5. Why am I grateful? What am I looking forward to in my work and in my life?
For creatives and non-creatives alike, attending to the
meaningful experience of the present moment, even at work, can result in many benefits, including:
better decision making, calmer more focused discussions, empathetic awareness, and a broader sense of perspective, not only for solving problems creatively, but for dealing with others in truly effective ways. This can benefit you and others beyond the cubicle, office, work bench, kitchen, classroom, vehicle or field where you work.
When complications, problems, or disagreements arise, as
they inevitably do, a practice of mindful reflection helps us to keep our
emotions in check. As a result, we can approach conflict with calmness and even a sense of
curiosity. “Hmm, I wonder why that happens? I wonder why he feels that way
about it? I wonder how I or we can improve this situation?”
There’s a world in every mind and a universe in every heart,
including the minds and hearts of our customers, whoever they may be.
I think a little self-awareness goes a long way and affects the lives of others more significantly than we imagine, often. A thoughtful and thought-inspiring post, Diane. I like the multi-storey car park-type pic - a great visual metaphor. Our paths will intersect; it's good to look over the crash barrier now and then.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and visiting! I'm just getting back to blogging again and feel behind in so many ways.
I really like your philosophy about making creating a way of life. I couldn't agree more. Anytime I'm away from it for a while, I feel restless, lethargic, uninspired, and even depressed. Have you ever read, "The Creative Call"? Its my favorite book in the world!
Jill
People would be more appreciative of their jobs and their place in life and in the world if they meditated on questions like these and made an effort to make their lives better. Coasting blindly and mindlessly through life can cause us to fall and sometimes hit a metaphorical wall.. I wouldn't mind having a job that I truly loved, but I can also be appreciative of my job that I do on my own in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteLee
Have you ever tried compiling a life soundtrack?
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Thank you, Rachel. Great insight. That's from "Metropolis." It was on display at LACMA recently--it may still be there. If not, it's probably on tour elsewhere. Fascinating. A worker, dressed as a mechanic, actually maintains the entire exhibit, making sure the cars stay on track, and is part of it. After she flips a switch, that carries rows of cars up a conveyor to the top, the cars whip around the entire exhibit on gravity. You have me thinking: wouldn't it be something, to be able to trace the impacts in a lifetime on other lives? ...to be able to see it visually, with colored strings, or overlapping (and intersecting) beams of light, something like Metropolis.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the creativity at your blog, Jill. I'll have to get "The Creative Call." You may enjoy "The Art Spirit," by Robert Henri. Thank you for the affirming words. What you experience, when you're away from creating, will probably resonate with others who are serious about their craft. I think as creatives, making art is a lot like breathing. It's our way of experiencing the world. Not to create for us is a lot like not breathing, or only living a sort of half-life. I'm always curious to see how it feels for other writers, musicians, visual artists when they're away from their art.
ReplyDeleteLee, you've really got it. Being mindful, and being appreciative of the work we have, of what is ours to do while we're doing it. If we're lucky enough to love our jobs, that's great. And having a job, doing what we can there, hopefully to positively impact others, is important and good. I think most people see it that way. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteA life soundtrack? You have my attention, Lee. I used to make "mix-tapes" for periods of time in my life or the lives of my friends. But a life soundtrack, wow. Do you know of blogs where we can listen to samplings? Do you have snippets at your blog? I'm imagining the possibilities...
The links to my "life soundtracks" are on my current post at my memoir blog Wrote By Rote. I went back to them and saw that the music clips were no longer there, but the songs are listed with the commentaries. We actually did a small blogfest with the idea with a few others participating. It's a fun exercise.
DeleteLee
Have you ever tried compiling a life soundtrack?
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Thanks, Lee. That will be great to see. It would be a good classroom exercise at so many levels. I'd be keen to know how different folks would adapt it for different settings/uses. I have given CDs as gifts. Let the recipients listen on their own. Then send them the commentaries. Same with mix-tapes. They would send me their insights as well. In a classroom, there's no end to what we can do with music and writing. Music allows us to connect with emotions and memories so readily. Your idea of using it in a life soundtrack is super.
ReplyDeleteThis is good, especially right now when I've got frustration just building up inside of me when it comes to "work." The worst part? It's volunteer work. I'm not getting paid to be this aggravated!
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Oh dear, that must be frustrating, Shannon. I will be very interested to know how this turns out, if you get a minute to follow up here sometime. It certainly presents an opportunity to practice mindfulness. Thank you for adding this real life situation to the conversation here. I hope the beneficiaries of your help, whether several or just one, are impacted by it, whether they are aware of it or not, in ways that make the effort worthwhile for you. I'm sure you're weighing that out. I imagine other readers here have been in situations like this. It would be good to know how they worked through it.
ReplyDeleteBeing mindful of others in your daily life is something we should all strive to achieve. In our work lives, we impact so many others, and they impact us.
ReplyDeleteYou said it, PPW. Wouldn't it be something to see the brilliant web we weave in a day or a week or a year, with colored light-threads connecting us to all the people (and animals too)affected by our lives, and vice versa? Thank you for stopping by. I think I'll go have a look at your writers blog now. Peace and all good,
ReplyDeleteDiane