I'm finally at the point where it looks like I'm working incredibly hard, but it feels surprisingly easy. Light work as my kids say! It goes beyond flow state, and maybe more like 'natural state' - some might say I'm a natural at this (recruiting) but it has taken a decade or more to get here.
I struggle with this myself, that I am actually working very hard but it does not feel so, so I don't derive the same satisfaction from willful struggle that I would otherwise. Now I come to terms with hard work doesn't need to be hard.
@Jean this is exactly the headspace I'm in. I find building with today's tools so fun, playful, flow state, nearly effortless. I find getting into that same headspace *at work* amidst so many personalities much more challenging. Finding the middle between "help people find work that feels easy for them" and "deliver on business needs for 10 cross-functional stakeholders" is more elusive.... but I think it's a worthwhile pursuit.
(And - the TJs snack builder is so fun!! Love it. 🫡)
I think even knowing that it is a headspace to be in and something that is possible (and could be on a spectrum) is very useful! Very different from a sacrifice and suffering hard work mindset I think is all too common.
I am behind in my newsletters - and lo and behold, here I am! :) Thanks for the generous shout out, Jean (and for coming along, of course!). I'm so glad these points landed. You've always struck me as someone who has very little performative gap between your work self and true self. xx
The way that you've described finding hard work that is frictionless is so clear. It is something that I've been struggling to concisely describe to others on what I've been looking for. My description has been, "I don't want to dread Mondays".
I find that there is a massive space of "I don't know what I don't know", when it comes to types of work, along with an equally massive space of "I think I'd enjoy this, but I don't have firsthand experience to truly know". And lastly, after finding a role that I believe could be fulfilling for me, but may be a bit of a career pivot, convincing the company that a leap of faith on a candidate is worth a shot is it's own undertaking.
Love the article! It elicited these thoughts from me.
I'm finally at the point where it looks like I'm working incredibly hard, but it feels surprisingly easy. Light work as my kids say! It goes beyond flow state, and maybe more like 'natural state' - some might say I'm a natural at this (recruiting) but it has taken a decade or more to get here.
Love it! I think of flow state as like within working sessions, natural state feels a bit more big picture than that.
You're right! I just recorded a rambling video about it this morning.
Speaking from a zen perspective: doing hard work is just what you do, and it doesn't get easier, you just get stronger.
Act Without Doing, Work Without Effort - Lao Tzu
I struggle with this myself, that I am actually working very hard but it does not feel so, so I don't derive the same satisfaction from willful struggle that I would otherwise. Now I come to terms with hard work doesn't need to be hard.
@Jean this is exactly the headspace I'm in. I find building with today's tools so fun, playful, flow state, nearly effortless. I find getting into that same headspace *at work* amidst so many personalities much more challenging. Finding the middle between "help people find work that feels easy for them" and "deliver on business needs for 10 cross-functional stakeholders" is more elusive.... but I think it's a worthwhile pursuit.
(And - the TJs snack builder is so fun!! Love it. 🫡)
I think even knowing that it is a headspace to be in and something that is possible (and could be on a spectrum) is very useful! Very different from a sacrifice and suffering hard work mindset I think is all too common.
I am behind in my newsletters - and lo and behold, here I am! :) Thanks for the generous shout out, Jean (and for coming along, of course!). I'm so glad these points landed. You've always struck me as someone who has very little performative gap between your work self and true self. xx
The way that you've described finding hard work that is frictionless is so clear. It is something that I've been struggling to concisely describe to others on what I've been looking for. My description has been, "I don't want to dread Mondays".
I find that there is a massive space of "I don't know what I don't know", when it comes to types of work, along with an equally massive space of "I think I'd enjoy this, but I don't have firsthand experience to truly know". And lastly, after finding a role that I believe could be fulfilling for me, but may be a bit of a career pivot, convincing the company that a leap of faith on a candidate is worth a shot is it's own undertaking.
Love the article! It elicited these thoughts from me.