Work is essential. Rest is only meaningful if there is work. Only rest makes your muscles go weak. But overworking can lead to burnout. And burnout is real. I once nearly burnt myself out. I was drinking 8 cups of coffee and working over 12 hours. My wrists began to pain. And there was tingling in my fingertips. I was not sleeping well, thanks to all the caffeine. A crash was imminent but then came good Friday and I escaped to Patnem.
Ever since I have tried to strike a balance. But this begs the question – why work at all? There are many philosophical ideas behind work. But I have come to know that showing up and earning your living is honourable. Of course, being engaged in an ethical line of work makes all the difference to how one feels about work too.
Secondly working is about making an impact. An impact on the lives of others as well as your own. A positive impact on the lives of others achieved through your work can create meaning and motivation to show up everyday. Thirdly, to meet your needs. Good work can be rewarding and can allow you to lead a good quality of life. Now what defines and qualifies as good varies from person to person.
Sometimes, I also think working and work has been romanticised beyond a point. The old concept of working for the sake of working is still applicable. My father went to his desk job for over 35 years. No work from home, no great benefits, no pay and no travel. Work gave meaning to other aspects of his life.
But to him showing up was important. No matter what happened the night before. Taking the same train everyday and presenting oneself at work without complaining is a remarkable feat. Now, spoilt for choice and variety – we tend to give so much more credit and mindshare to work and working. I try to emulate this in my work-life. Showing up is important.
What you do for a living becomes a part of your identity, this is true. But there are some who don’t allow this to become their entire personality. They have so much more interest in things beyond work. Perhaps those are the folks who never burn out. Or do they?