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The Nature of Work

Here's something interesting that I've realized about the nature of work. Work will always be there when you get back. Get back from what? From anything! A 10-minute break. A walk around a lake. A trip to the grocery store. Yoga class. A night out with friends. A good night's sleep. Even a multi-day vacation from work. Yep, it's still there patiently waiting for your attention again, not having the slightest bit of initiative to budge an inch on its own.

For this purpose, I'll define "work" as any responsible activity related to the status quo upkeep of one's life situation, including, but not limited to housework, money-making work (including creativity-related work), educational work, spouse-children-and-pet-caring work, self-care work, and everyday making-things-work work. Why yes, our lives are just filled with plenty of opportunities to engage in work!

Work is a crafty little thing always trying to find ways to trick us. It makes us believe that if we spend more time doing it, we can cross more tasks off of our growing to-do lists and get ahead in our cubical caves. Creativity-wise, it can make us think that our muse will desert us if we say "Shoo!" once in awhile (believe me, muses are much more resilient than that!) Above all, it makes us forget the UNIVERSAL LAW OF WORK* which states that, "Work perpetually grows in direct proportion to the effort put into doing it."

Yes, like a merry-go-round, work always comes full-circle tempting us to climb aboard white-knuckled for another ride — oftentimes after we've had enough for one day. A few more business e-mails. Another hour in the studio. Chasing more dust bunnies. Two more errands. It never ends! And if we're not careful it can have a dizzying effect upon our schedules and energy levels, not to mention having the power to make us purge other life-sustaining (or just plain pleasurable) activities that balance the life-situation equation.

What's the opposite of work? Some say "play" while others say "rest." Whichever it is, it surely is not MORE work! So what does this mean for you when it comes to your life situation? I think you can figure it out — if not, here's a hint: even with creative pursuits, all work and no play sucks the joy right out of your day. •

* Though I made that up, I find it to be true.

© 2006 Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com. All rights reserved. (11/13/06). Please do not duplicate this article elsewhere without my permission.

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is the author of the Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant and driving force behind the popular Creativity Portal Web site. She finds meaning as an artist, humorist, and creativity coach and channels her overactive imagination into multiple containers on display at ChrisDunmire.com.