Path To Serenity

Chase after money and security

and your heart will never unclench.

Care about people’s approval

and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.

The only path to serenity.

Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1993). A dark side of the American dream: Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 410–422.
Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1996). Further Examining the American Dream: Differential Correlates of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22(3), 280–87.

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Photos: Too Old for Prison? | Mother Jones

A touching story and an honest insight into one’s passion for the work.

I’m not even sure how to answer when they ask whether the project is helping me, at least. When I say I’m not getting paid for this work, they think I’m crazy. But that doesn’t matter much. After all, I’m working on a project I love with the person I love. Photography just happens to be a part of the process. I’ve gotten to the point where I want to work for only three people: myself, those I love, and my subjects. – ,

via Photos: Too Old for Prison? | Mother Jones.

Being busy as a status of importance

When a colleague at work justified working long hours for days in a row with a better pay, this came to mind. The question of working long hours versus being effective is long winded, so here are instead some questions that might move the discussion forward:

What if we could learn more about technology to make our work life easier and faster? Are there any things that might help besides learning to Ctrl+C & Ctrl+V?

Is it that easy to leave your personal baggage outside the company? Will a tired, unfit and chronically disapointed ‘out-of-office’ Jim* become energized and engaged once he/ she** passes through the office door?

Does being part of a corporate health plan compesante for having a poor health?

Is coffee really all that it takes to perform at work?

Can a person engaged in work 12 hours a day, for days in a row, come up with solutions that will make the company thrive?

As I’m asking these questions to myself, I already know what works for me. Work, friends, health and other aspects of my life always intermingle and influence one another. A structure sport schedule teaches me about goals and this reflects in my work. A productive day at work gives me energy to move on in the evening and not disappoint my friends with complains. The energy we take from one activity varies and changes the way we perform the rest of the day, week, month… Think about this when you say that you’re too busy and this automatically makes you the better employee.

* a name randomly generated in the writing flow.

** Jim can also be a she, I respect your choice! 🙂