Is this statement relevant today, when during the crisis many were left without work at all or were forced to change their field of activity? In order not to write the expression into the category of «obsolete», we propose to consider it from a different angle.
«Work in the USSR is a matter of honor, glory, valor and heroism»1 — several generations in our country lived under this slogan. Then the pendulum of public opinion swung in the opposite direction.
A guide to action was the aphorism “Choose a job you love, and you won’t have to work a single day,” the authorship of which is attributed to Confucius, Mark Twain and Bill Gates at the same time. Young job seekers often say that work should be fun. But here, too, not everything is clear.
According to a survey about what is our dream job2, for the majority of compatriots (79%) the main thing is a high salary. Almost the same number (78%) indicate stability among the desired qualities, 69% — a pleasant team.
Curiously, these data line up with the bottom three levels of basic needs in Abraham Maslow’s pyramid: food and shelter, security, and a sense of belonging.
To experience interest and excitement, to be in the flow — this is a feature of the psyche, the ability of a particular person
Due to the recent crisis, many have lost their usual jobs. Designers and managers, photographers and executives have turned into couriers or taxi drivers. Some have found that the new activity pleases them as much, if not more than the previous one.
But this is more the exception than the rule. Just when you need to pay bills, feed children and help parents, we are ready to take on any business.
And even outside the crisis, those who enjoy the work process are a minority. Why? It’s just that what we think is a property of the work actually belongs to us. But not all, but only some.
“To feel interest and excitement, to be in the flow is a feature of the psyche, the ability of a particular person,” emphasizes business psychologist Anastasia Zagryadskaya. Much depends on the circumstances surrounding the work.
“Some people don’t like the regime or it’s difficult to interact with clients,” the psychologist continues. “Inside work, there are complex processes and factors that influence the enjoyment of it.” You can isolate them and try to do something about it: for example, talk about a better schedule or attend a communication training.
It also matters what we focus on. Even if the work process is not exciting in itself, we can be proud of the achieved result, enjoy the respect of colleagues, appreciate benefits, a good social package, an early retirement…
One way or another, there is something that brought us to this place and keeps us here, says Anastasia Zagryadskaya. Perhaps you should remind yourself of this? And — to gain positive emotions in the field of creative activity, hobbies and communication that are not controlled by anyone.
“It is quite possible to do art in your free time from your main job. So I wrote three whole books — and, if not for the freak success of Eat, Pray, Love, I would still be doing it, ”writes Elizabeth Gilbert3.
1 Phrase from the Political Report of the Central Committee to the 1930th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks. XNUMX
2 Rabota.ru service survey dated 16.03.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX.
3 E. Gilbert “Big magic. Creativity without fear” (Ripol classic, 2017).