Work changes us.
Yes, this may seem like a bold claim, but it appears to be one we are feeling. So, why do we fail to name and address it?
Many of don’t know where to start and question if it’s worth the effort. Between limited bandwidth and our desire for a quick fix, it seems easier to simply kick the can than address the power of work.
It’s because of the power of work that I believe whether you are an owner, VP or new hire that it’s worth asking (and addressing) these 3 questions:
1) How does the time spent at work change us?
2) How does what we do at work change us?
3) How does the culture at our work change us?
However, prior to offering some considerations, it’s important to first address a couple of fallacies that hinder us from consider how work affects us.
The first is that work is simply a means to an end. Certainly, there is something to be said about work and its connection to compensation. Yet, we all know that work consists of more than tasks and wages. Work is not merely a transaction; it has its own externalities. Both the benefits and burdens of work transcend the hours we spend in it.
This leads to the second, we can have a work and life self.
I (and the rest of the world) have never been able to segment my life too cleanly. Our work and life selves blend into one another; it’s just the activities that change. Science around neural plasticity insists that our brain physiologically changes based on our repeated behavior; it’s in the habits that we often feel the subtle creep of the imperceptible effects of work. Yet, the more physiological effects of sore muscles or anxious that may seem more obvious. Others may find the emotions evoked by work spill over once the workday is finished. We have somehow developed this illusion that we (and others) are productivity machines that can be turned on and off based on whether or not we’re “clocked-in.” Yet, our own experience insists this isn’t true.
So, if work has its externalities and those effects permeate into our lives, don’t you think we ought to do something about it?
To be fair, it is important to recognize the power we have to effect how our work changes us (and those around us). But we should not trivialize the circles of influence that we have and the agency we have within them. I find Hidden Brain’s “You 2.0: Dream Jobs” about job crafting is a great example about how this can play out in real life.
So, that being said, let’s address how work changes us:
Time: Here, I believe it’s important to think both of quality and quantity of hours spent. For the former I’m reminded of high school when my friends all went away for a beach weekend while I was stuck at work. Are the hours you’re working affecting the way you’re able to participate in other important activities? Alongside this are the quantity of hours you’re working detrimental to you and your relationships. Leaders should take this seriously because both invite job dissatisfaction and burn-out. As a person, you should take them seriously because it affects your quality of life.
Tip: If you have to work “beyond hours” or “odd hours” try to coordinate them with the schedules of those around you to increase the opportunities for you to connect.
Activities: Consider how what you’re doing at work effects your mind, body and spirit. Depending on the kind of work, one may seem more obvious than the others. Physically, workplace injuries, sedentary work and the effect of repetitive motions often come to mind. Mentally, both what and when we engage in activities changes us, as does our opportunity to grow in our capacity to think in new and different ways. Lastly, it is important to remember that our work can inspire and deplete us depending on the level of fulfillment we gain from performing it. This spiritual aspect of work is important for employees, because it connects with joy in work and for employers because it effects their capacity to retain employees. Ultimately, it is important to remember that these are all interrelated and inform on another.
Tip: There is often a lot of freedom within your activities for when and/or how you go about performing them. Try to find ways to bring joy to your activities both by reimagining the why behind them or how you go about performing them.
Culture: A workplace culture can be one of the most difficult things to change. It’s rarely something that shifts overnight. Yet, it is often the effects of our work culture that change how we show up within and outside of work. I’ll let you imagine how your friend’s terse boss and irritated co-workers might shift your lunch conversation from laughing about your last trip to complaining about work.
Tip: It is difficult to shift the culture at work, but this is why it is important to think about your own circle of influence. Leverage your transitions before, during and after work, to see the big picture, gain perspective and focus your areas of influence.
Obviously, this is just the start to a bigger conversation. Let’s start asking how work changes us, if we’re okay with those changes and what to do next. Let’s intentionally develop the kind of work that brings health to ourselves and our community.
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