Thinking About Work

Will you spend more time thinking about work today, or tomorrow?

I will probably invest time and energy in work today, particularly because I am trying do five days of work in four. I have a three-day weekend, especially one dedicated to independence, right in front of me, drawing me toward it. I will clear space on my virtual desk.

Today will probably not be much of a day for reflecting about work. There will not be much in the way of long-term planning. This will be more of a mental to-do list checking day.

Tomorrow is a holiday where I live. Not just any holiday, our great national holiday which we celebrate with fireworks and festivities. Tomorrow there will be more time to relax and contemplate profound truths, time to take walks and breathe deeply.

It is ironic that my desire to find meaning and purpose today, in the midst of my checklist, will be gone by tomorrow. Today, surrounded by things to do, I wish I could spend time reflecting. Tomorrow, on holiday without my usual structure, my mind will fill with things I need to do next week.

My mind is excellent at doing some things, like solving problems. When I do not have a specific problem on my mind, my mind tends to view that as a problem, which it tries to solve.

Tomorrow, when I intend to reflect, my mind will see the openness and look for new problems to solve. I remember the phone calls I should have made, the work I should have started, the projects I should have completed.

It is almost as if I am working against myself, seeking a balance of work and reflection.

Are you thinking about work today?

How will you reflect on work tomorrow?

[Image by Gisela Giardino]