The MW Newsletter is a long-form resource whose aim is to bring substance and insight to your work and life. You can subscribe below or join the conversation in our dedicated LinkedIn group. Dr Todd Mei Editor & Founder of Philosophy2u |
|
|
Content for May 2024 Our focus this month is the Joy of Work. What is Joy? Practice: Embracing the Joy of Missing Out Ideation: Vocation as Joy The Serious Business of Fun at Work by Jane Piper (Career Coach & Organizational Psychologist)
~ “Was the last time I was allowed to have fun as a teenager? Do I have to wait until I retire to find time to have fun again? That is a depressing thought to imagine. I have not had fun for 20 years because I’ve been too busy seriously working and there are at least 10 more years to come.” |
|
|
What Is Joy? “'Tis so much joy! 'Tis so much joy!”
Emily Dickinson * * * * *
Joy is the affirmation of life in spite of its uncertainty.
It is a powerful emotion whose experience is not only momentary (or “in the moment”), but it can also be momentous by orienting how we live. The momentary dimension of joy is important because it is pleasurable, and it helps to form our emotional intelligence. Joy can teach us not only how to appreciate meaning but also how to share it with others. The momentous dimension of joy is important because it can shape our outlook and character. Think of it as grounding and rooting how we dwell. A “joyful” outlook might not necessarily be optimistic or overly positive; it can be calm, patient, and attentive to everything around you. Think of those moments where “taking it all in” is accompanied by a sense of bliss or contentment. It would be tempting to try and re-create moments of joy as we go through life, and this is why it's important to remember the momentous nature of joy. To be grounded in a joyful outlook is a way of taking things in as opposed to seeking experiences that make you happy. But how? We’ll explore a range of tips and strategies in the Practice, Ideation, and Guest Column sections of this month’s Newsletter to get an idea about ways to ground oneself in the momentous (and not simply the moment). |
|
|
Practice: Embracing the Joy of Missing Out This month, we’re diving into a concept that’s especially relevant in our social media-driven world: the fear of missing out, or FOMO. FOMO is a pervasive feeling many experience when we see others sharing their highlights on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter (or X). We constantly compare our lives to these curated glimpses of success, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and the belief that we must work harder and sacrifice more to keep up.
The Impact of FOMO
FOMO can significantly impact our mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction. When we scroll through social media feeds filled with people’s best moments—promotions, vacations, new homes, and social gatherings—we can’t help but compare our own lives to these seemingly perfect narratives. This comparison often leads to a sense of exclusion, making us feel like we’re on the outside looking in.
The psychological toll of FOMO is not to be underestimated. It creates a never-ending cycle of trying to measure up to an ever-moving standard. The pressure to constantly be part of something exciting or significant can erode our self-esteem and overall well-being. It’s a modern dilemma that demands a mindful approach to overcome. Introducing JOMO
Recently, I stumbled upon an enlightening concept: the joy of missing out, or JOMO. JOMO is about finding happiness in what you choose not to do, rather than what you might be missing. It’s the antithesis of FOMO, encouraging us to find contentment in our own choices and to relish the peace that comes from opting out.
The Essence of JOMO
JOMO is rooted in the idea that true happiness comes from within and not from external validation. It’s about understanding and embracing your own needs and desires, rather than constantly striving to meet societal expectations or keep up with others. |
|
|
For instance, choosing to stay in for a quiet night instead of attending a social event can bring immense joy and satisfaction. It’s about valuing your own time and peace of mind over the fear of not being part of the crowd.
Why JOMO Matters in 2024
Reflecting on the past few years, we’ve seen significant shifts in how we live and interact. The COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 forced us into isolation, 2022 saw the world gradually opening up, and 2023 brought a semblance of normalcy. As 2024 continues to unfold, we stand at a crossroads where we can redefine how we approach life. This year can be about embracing self-care, kindness, compassion, and psychological well-being over the relentless pursuit of external achievements.
Practical Steps to Embrace JOMO
Self-Awareness: The first step to embracing JOMO is recognizing when FOMO strikes. Pay attention to moments when you feel anxious or inadequate because of others' posts or stories. Acknowledge these feelings without judgment. Mindful Decision-Making: Make conscious choices about how you spend your time. Prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, even if they don’t align with societal expectations or what everyone else is doing. Set Boundaries: Establish boundaries with social media and other sources of FOMO. Limit your exposure to these platforms if they trigger negative emotions. Consider scheduling specific times for social media use instead of constant, mindless scrolling. Focus on Self-Validation: Shift your focus from seeking external validation to internal validation. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Recognize your own worth and accomplishments without needing others’ approval. Embrace Solitude: Find joy in spending time alone. Use this time for self-reflection, hobbies, or simply relaxing. Embracing solitude can be incredibly rejuvenating and help you reconnect with yourself.
Personal Reflections on JOMO
For me, JOMO often means choosing to spend quality time with my family or enjoying a quiet evening alone over attending social events. I’ve found immense joy and peace in these moments. It’s about saying “no” to external pressures and yes to what genuinely brings me happiness.
Looking Ahead
As you consider your goals for the second half of 2024, consider incorporating JOMO into your life. Reflect on what truly brings you joy and what you’re willing to miss out on to achieve that joy. Rather than letting the fear of missing out drive your actions, let the joy of missing out guide you towards a more fulfilling and contented life.
I hope you found this discussion on FOMO and JOMO insightful. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to reach out to me!
Joseph Smart OD&D Consultant, Smart Joseph Consulting joe@smartjoseph.com |
|
|
Ideation:Joy as Vocation The concept of vocation is rich in historical meaning. With religious roots in the Christian tradition, the term did not gain prominence until the Reformation (16th century), when Martin Luther and John Calvin sought ways to confirm one might be living in good faith without the need for the Church. One of the defining features of Reformation theology was putting matters of salvation more squarely in the hands of each individual. A key component of this radical change was the idea that a vocation was God's calling to an individual to pursue a certain path of life through work. Living in good faith could be done simply by pursuing one's vocation. Fast forward to the modern era, the idea of vocation still retains notions of calling, but the term is used more in relation to a specific line of work that involves practice, skill, and expert knowledge (e.g. nursing, teaching, plumbing, law, etc.). A large part of my PhD research was on vocation, and since then I have been thinking about the way vocation can be meaningful in a practical context. I want to revive the idea of a calling that speaks to an individual's specific gifts, preferences, and desires. That is to say, vocation can and should be a source of joy. Of course, for most of us, figuring out this calling may be a bit late in the game (but never too late!). So, in this column, I'll focus on assessing to what extent your current job or role is vocational (or joyful). |
|
|
A vocation is where a job or career is inherently meaningful for the individual. It fulfills the individual in a more holistic and complete manner since it addresses areas such as intellectual, emotional, and personal development. Here are three ways of thinking about vocation: Vocation is not just about a career, but a professional or skilled role in which one is under perpetual apprenticeship. Vocation is not just about making a living, but about self-development through the practice of work. Vocation is not just about self-development, but doing so by means of helping others as a form of perpetual service.
If you want to know more, have a look at these related articles: The easiest practical way to perform a self-assessment is to think of work as divided into three categories: Vocational work (per above) Relational work Conditional work
Relational work is where meaningfulness comes not from the work itself but from the relations formed while doing your job. Example: You might not like being a rideshare driver, but you enjoy speaking to customers as you take them where you want to go. You enjoy the freedom of not being in the office, and being on the road. Conditional work is that which lacks inherent meaningfulness (vocation) and relation meaningfulness and must therefore have meaningfulness imposed from "the outside". Example: Nothing about your job is stimulating, but the employer provides perks, a flexible schedule, or a generous wage or salary to compensate. The key is that conditional work is only “meaningful” if something else compensates for the time and effort of doing that job. Of course, these categories are heuristic. Jobs and careers often do not fit neatly into any one category; in fact, they may shift between the categories depending on context, season, or one's life development. The takeaway? The three categories will help to get you thinking about where you are and where you want to go. Where does your current job fit? If you don't like your company but like your co-workers, chances are your occupation is relational. If your only bright spot in the workday is a perk that your job presents, then chances are your occupation is conditional. If you love what you do because it is personally fulfilling, then you are in that lucky minority to have found your calling. Of course, this does not necessarily mean everything is perfect. A poor work culture or a low salary could be corrosively eating away at what you love.
If you'd like to continue this conversation, please reach out! Dr Todd Mei Founder and Consultant for Philosophy2u tsmei@philosophy2u.com |
|
|
The Serious Business of Fun at Work __________________ Jane Piper Career Coach and Organisational Psychologist Mid-Career Crisis _____________________________ What’s the opposite of Work? Rest Play Fun Life All of the above
Are you having any fun at work? Rest, play, fun, and life, are things that we confine to our non-work time. If work felt like fun, then we’d enjoy it. It would feel less of a chore, an obligation, or a burden. As the saying goes, Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. More fun at work would mean it would feel less like work. The Serious Business of Business For most of us, fun feels childish and should not be mixed with serious business. I caught up with Antero, a former colleague who recently retired. He got me thinking about whether I was having any fun at work. He’d rediscovered slot car racing, which he’d played as a teenager. With a group of mates of similar early retirement age, he was having a lot of fun racing against a bunch of teenagers. He didn't care too much about the outcome (though they are amused when they beat a team of teenagers), enjoying getting into the flow and meeting up with his mates. |
|
|
Over Christmas, I had a few days with my teenage nieces on a boat. We messed around in the water swimming and snorkeling, and played old-fashioned board games and cards in the evening. There was a joy and light-heartedness in not taking anything too seriously. Was the last time I was allowed to have fun as a teenager? Do I have to wait until I retire to find time to have fun again? That is a depressing thought to imagine. I have not had fun for 20 years because I’ve been too busy seriously working, and there are at least 10 more years to come! The Serious Business of Fun I may seem a killjoy by defining fun; but to be clear, I’m not talking about the pre-packaged fun of going to Disneyland to ride a giant rollercoaster or watch a comedy show. This is entertainment. Reading a book or watching a movie (not binge-watching) is relaxing but not active enough to be playful. With fun, you feel alive, exhilarated, and light-hearted. Time has passed by because you are in the flow. Everyone’s fun activities are different. Slot car racing is not my idea of fun (sorry, Antero). Skiing and cycling are fun to me IF (a big bold “if”) I don’t spend too much time self-optimising. By self-optimising, I mean that I want to do it faster, better, and longer than previously. The constant self-comparison kills the fun. If you adopt too much of the performance improvement corporate mindset, then it is easy to get too focused on the sport and lose the fun. |
|
|
How to have more fun at work? Fun is organised in companies: a celebratory shout after work, the annual Christmas party, and other social club events. For many people, this is forced fun. They do their duty, grab a drink and a handful of cholesterol-laden nibbles, have a quick word with the required people, and slip out the back early. According to Catherine Price (a fun researcher), we need three things to have fun Playfulness Connection Flow
So how can we use this to have more fun in our work? Playfulness – experimenting, trying new things without great expectations being less attached to a perfect outcome. Connection – working more with people you like on projects, developing ideas, and solving problems. Flow – doing things that you find intrinsically enjoyable and that you want to get better at but not stressing.
Finding fun work is not easy, but it is worth the effort. We can’t leave it until only the evenings and weekends for the rest of our working careers. ~ Jane Piper is a Career Coach and Organisational Psychologist helping mid-career professionals to achieve success in work while enjoying life. She is the bestselling author of Focus in the Age of Distraction – a book looking at the impact of digital technology on our wellbeing. After two decades in corporate HR roles, she now shares her expertise through coaching, workshops, consulting, and speaking. Jane is from New Zealand and has lived last 20 years in Switzerland bringing a unique combination of Swiss efficiency and Kiwi creativity to reimagine work and careers. If you liked this, then sign up for the Work Like a Human weekly blog here. For more info check out LinkedIn or her website. |
|
|
Subscribe, Stay on Top of Meaningfulness! Check out free and paid resources on P2U and Thinkific! Or try our philosophical AI chatbot Dio. |
|
|
Logo Artwork by Dattura Disclaimers This newsletter is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information given to the user is with the understanding that neither the authors nor contributors are engaged in rendering any legal, business or financial advice to the subscriber or to the general public. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Philosophy2u. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion, and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. Although we make strong efforts to make sure our information is accurate, Philosophy2u cannot guarantee that all the information contained in the newsletter is always correct, complete, or up-to-date. |
|
|
|
|
