I was tired, chronically running on E, and sleep didn’t matter. It was a draining experience. All the life seeped out of me before the workday ended. By close of work, it was all I could do to get home and crash.

It was more like slide, really. All the energy I once had to go to the store or run other errands after work was gone. In fact, I was too whatever to sleep. I would just lie across my bed sometimes for hours, until I found the strength to shower, eat, and go to bed.

What was sapping the life out of me was work. It turned out I was doing the wrong work, or it was a negative work situation. And, when work is a problem, it can easily spiral into life. It took me a while to figure this out, and then to acknowledge it.

The first problem: I have what I call “The Chameleon Syndrome.” Whatever people want from me, I want to deliver—whenever I can. The second problem: I’m very sensitive to being out of harmony with myself. The wrong work created such negative dissonance as to cause physical, adverse reactions, certainly mental and emotional glitches.

These two problems caused me a great deal trouble. The second problem caused me to be deeply unhappy and dissatisfied. The first problem kept me returning for more. I learned this had been my pattern for many years. Only as I got older, the physical and mental reactions intensified.

I was sad—actually sad. And much of the time, nothing helped easily. Tears came easily. My work was tapping me, even my reserve, and giving nothing back. I wasn’t sure why. It was easy stuff for me. And yet I made horrible, egregious mistakes. It was as if my subconscious mind was yelling at me and I was too deaf to hear. So it acted: If I wasn’t aware enough to quit, it was going to get me fired.

Hard to believe, right? I know. I didn’t want to see it for what it was either. Lucky me, I know this to be true. (That was sarcasm.) You don’t have to take my word for it. The problems are real. And the solutions are attainable. Look around. Ask around. Read up.

In fact work—W-O-R-K—is the 4 letter word that is taking on a new positive connotation. It is the case that the face of WORK is changing, and so is the feeling toward it.

Why the New Attitude toward Work?

Let’s face it, most of us have little problem with the idea of working. And that’s good because people have more external pressures to work now, than ever. We just want a little peace on the job, right? Right now, many of us are feeling the pinch of not being able to find work we love. Interestingly enough, we’re less inclined to settle for passable jobs in less-than-optimal work environments.

More and more people are coming to understand that it is important and feasible to be happy in their jobs. In fact, being happy in your work goes beyond reasonable, it’s actually common sense. So, with increasing frequency, people are discovering that the key is to find their passion and have that be their work. It’s reminiscent of Neo and the others waking from The Matrix, isn’t it? Very cool! You can wake too.

Check Yourself and Your Workplace

It’s a far cry from the times when people were forced to abandon family traditions to pursue their dreams. Still, the idea of uprooting yourself, redressing your life situation is big, without a doubt. It’s important, then, to know that you’re making the right choice. If you’re anything like me, you look to yourself as possibly the problem, and you try to figure out what you’re doing wrong. But what if there’s more than you who’s a problem?

Adria Richards posted a video at AskAdria.com called 10 Signs Your Boss Sucks¹. She discusses indicators on the job that may mean you need to leave. Gossip and disrespect can really make your work life a misery. These are 2 of the issues mentioned. Watch her video and see if any points sound similar to your work situation.

Gretchen Rubin has listed 12 questions to as yourself during your review of your job situation². She suggests you take a look at your interactions in the workplace, with your boss and peers. Consider whether or not you know what’s expected of you. Then ask, do you have the tools you need? Her questions present a good frame to review your work situation.

And if you need to, change yourself to suit your work. You know how I said I have to check myself first? The reason is so that I can be as sure as possible that I’m making the right choices. If it’s the work I chose, I’m going to try to love what you do, like it or not. It may be only a minor attitude adjustment is needed. However, it may turn out that you need a new boss or a new line of work.

Ultimately, no change will matter if you don’t know what motivates the change. See how important it is to know what you are passionate about?

This new, possible work environment is looming before us, there for the taking. It’s almost a nebulous, ethereal goal when looking out from the throes of discontent. Still, people are moving toward this new work plan en masse, to earn their livelihood in an equitable and peaceful environment.

How to Find Your Passion

You don’t only check yourself to see if your in the right frame of mind. You have to look within for another reason. Remember I mentioned my chameleon syndrome? You may have that too. You need to ask: Are you doing what you’re passionate about? Or is it what everyone expects of you? Determining whether or not you’re doing what your passionate about, is an integral part of your peaceful work experience.

The barrier that must be torn down is one borne of conditioning. Whether it’s being groomed for the family business, the family hopes, or what teachers told us; we learned to behave as expected. (I did, anyway.) Many people know they want something new, different from what they’ve done for years. But, they can’t quite hear their heart-song any more. The first thing that must be done is to find your passion, which brings me to my final resource.

In the picture above my niece and nephew proclaimed they were conducting an experiment with the last of their bubbles liquid on the patio table.

When I think of doing the work I really enjoy, I’m reminded of doing work that feels like child’s play. Once I get started, the hours might pass like minutes. Sometimes I get a twinge in my stomach when I have to stop. You know that poke that makes you want to keep going when it’s time to put your toys work away? That twinge is what I’m referring to.

The final resource I want to point you to is Four Steps for Living Your Flame³, by Kirk Byron Jones. In it, he presents inspirational and faith based reasons for pursuing our passions as well as steps to help find purpose, to find what burns within. Read his message and try the four steps to help you find your passion.

Please take a moment to complete my poll, in the sidebar. Are you doing the job that keeps you inspired?

Are you getting the message from your body that your life needs to change? Get passed your blocks of getting by and pleasing others, and hear from yourself.

Remember the child’s play stuff you like to do. I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment, link back from your blog, or email me at sharils@blogaboutwriting.com.

Resources:

1. 10 Signs Your Boss Sucks, from the video archives at AskAdria.com
2. Are You Happy at Work? 12 Questions to Ask Yourself, by Gretchen Rubin
3. Four Steps for Living Your Flame, by Kirk Byron Jones

Related posts:

• love what you do…like it or not
• getting to the sweet spot of writing work
• balance: have your cake and eat it too

I have been keeping a journal for may years. It is a wonderful thing for clarity and focus renewal. But there is an added benefit that I have to bring up.

Big Benefit

It calms me down. Recently, I was so wound up and put out over something not in my control, until I couldn’t focus on writing. Seriously. It demanded attention, if nothing else, to complain since I couldn’t make the situation right.

When I put it on the page, it helps—every time and without fail. From there, I can meditate and get centered. From this calm space I can get to work. Because, I didn’t just write out problem, I actually write it out of the way. So, it’s easy to let in the work writing ideas.

Like Talking to a Friend

If you have a situation that pops up and throws you all out of whack, try writing it out. It’s your journal so if you feel the need, you may include expletives. It’s even alright to say what you really feel about that last gift from your boss. This is not the place to censor yourself. Quite the contrary, it’s where you free yourself.

Say it how you feel it. If you get it right, you’ll find that you have a better handle on what gave you fits in the first place. You may find that it wasn’t all that serious. And, you may even find that a solution has presented itself.

Ultimately, you will find release in that you have the best sounding board ever. That’s what happens for me. You see, my journal is my unconditional, ever-present, non-judgmental audience. And who doesn’t need that?

Next time you have a problem that threatens to steal your focus, try writing it out. And if you care to, come back and tell me if it worked.

Related entries:

• healthy habits: mind, spirit and body
• 5 benefits of keeping a personal journal
• gaining perspective the write way