It is important to do a good job. I take my job seriously. I want the respect of my coworkers, and it is important that they can rely on me to complete my tasks. Like many, I often encounter frustrating situations that are outside of my control. We’ve seen a lot of those at work recently and someone complimented me on my poise and calm in the face of yet another scene straight out of Dilbert. I realized that part of my poise can be attributed to my personality, which I don’t take credit for. The other part of it I do take credit for, my perspective.
Let’s say, purely as an example, that I spend a few days working on a task, and then the requirements for that task change. Essentially, the work I put into it was wasted and I have to start over from scratch. Yes, if that were to ever happen, I could see how it would be annoying. I sit on conference calls where much of the time is spent bemoaning the process, and “admiring the problem,” as my boss likes to say. We spend 40+ hours every week at our jobs, and when milestones aren’t met, despite our best efforts, it is frustrating. Despite that frustration, I choose not to let it bother me.
I’ve decided that I’m not a soldier, stuck on the front lines carrying out orders with no concept of the larger goal. Instead, I’m the general of my life, with a view of the entire battlefield and an understanding of the ultimate objective. The vision for my life is much bigger than the soldier sitting in front of a computer writing SQL. The soldier is important, but he is just a small part of the larger whole.
The truth is, that like many Americans, my job is a means to an end. It’s a way for me to make money and provide for my family. It isn’t an end itself. The real goal is to have children who grow up to be good, decent people. The real goal is to have friends and family members who love you and who help each other through difficult times. The real goal is to share God’s love with a dying world. The real goal is to take a 20 minute walk with your 10 year old and let him tell you about his day. It is a cliche, but THAT is the stuff that really matters.
So, when another department drops the ball and causes me to miss a deadline, I have a hard time fuming and getting riled up. In the grand scheme of the battle, of my purpose and objective, it isn’t a big deal. I do the best I can do, and I stay calm. It’s just a job.