Unsatisfactory nature of career achievement

[Prashanth]

Yeah, and some say the opposite. Saw DeGrasse Tyson explain this the other day and he’s in the expand forever team. I however care very little though I can imagine more than a few people losing sleep over the fate of everything ..[emoji1]

[emoji1374] Sat Today

...and the Universe doesn't care whether we think it expands or collapses or even know what it is and what it is not. [emoji1745][emoji2].

Gassho.

Sat.

Sent from my Lenovo TB-7305F using Tapatalk

[Bion]

...and the Universe doesn't care whether we think it expands or collapses or even know what it is and what it is not. [emoji1745][emoji2].

Gassho.

Sat.

Sent from my Lenovo TB-7305F using Tapatalk

Well, if IT expands, WE expand and if WE collapse, IT collapses[emoji1] No separation.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Prashanth]

Well, if IT expands, WE expand and if WE collapse, IT collapses[emoji1] No separation.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

Then I prefer IT SITS!! [emoji23]

Sent from my Lenovo TB-7305F using Tapatalk

[Koushi]

Like most here, I started my career 20 years ago (let alone personal dreams before that) with goals in mind that I thought would bring myself happiness. I've made a lot of money, I've lost a lot of money. I've had a lot of jobs, I've lost a lot of jobs. Like everything else around us, I.T. and corporate America has been a great teacher of impermanence and change.

Nowadays, I don't have much in the way of personal career goals. Instead, I show up to work with only the idea in mind that I'm going to help people today. If that means doing my job expertly, that's what I do. If that means helping customers, that's what I do. If that means training others and helping them achieve their dreams and goals—that's what I do. Then I clock out and continue looking for areas to help. Surprisingly, this attitude has led to raises, promotions, and seeing my teammates all grow and move to better things.

When I was focused solely on my own accomplishments and standing, I was perpetually unhappy, burnt out, and depressed. Being of help to others, however, keeps things steady. Is there a point to any of this? Perhaps not. But I think helping others along the way is just as sweet as anything else.

Sorry for running long,

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

[Kokuu]

Nowadays, I don't have much in the way of personal career goals. Instead, I show up to work with only the idea in mind that I'm going to help people today. If that means doing my job expertly, that's what I do. If that means helping customers, that's what I do. If that means training others and helping them achieve their dreams and goals—that's what I do. Then I clock out and continue looking for areas to help. Surprisingly, this attitude has led to raises, promotions, and seeing my teammates all grow and move to better things.

[Jundo]

Well, if IT expands, WE expand and if WE collapse, IT collapses[emoji1] No separation.

[emoji1374] Sat Today

In fact, the "Zen of Everything" episode Kirk and I are recording tonight is about extra-ordinary insights into the universe through Buddhism, who we are in the universe, and the consistency of such insights with science. Give it a listen on Friday. The universe may be listening to it with your ears.

Gassho, J

[Bion]

In fact, the "Zen of Everything" episode Kirk and I are recording tonight is about extra-ordinary insights into the universe through Buddhism, who we are in the universe, and the consistency of such insights with science. Give it a listen on Friday. The universe may be listening to it with your ears.

Gassho, J

Oooooh .. Sounds intriguing enough! I will do!

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Thomas M]

Hi,

Having fun, playing with ideas, it is essential to cultivate open inquiry and constructive disagreement, and to avoid being eaten by the publishing circus and the vanity fair of academia. Grothendieck raised some interesting points, but things are in the way they are. Have fun and do not take it too seriously, play with ideas and something useful may come out of it. Homo ludens by Johan Huizinga is an interesting book on playful human activity.

Gassho,
Thomas
Sat today

[Jundo]

I recently sent this to my son, who is choosing a college major. It seems to make sense:

As college graduates, you'll likely be joining a class of people who describe their work using words like "passion," "love" and "authenticity." And you may be tempted by companies inviting you to bring what they'll call your "whole self" to work.

As I learned in my study of Silicon Valley work culture, it starts with giving you a paycheck. Soon they will give you a community. They'll try to shape your identity and offer you a purpose, imbuing every day with the sense you are not working for a paycheck but to make the world a better place.

To be sure, if you follow this path, you'll soon be in love with your work; body, mind, heart and soul. No other social institution will work so hard to earn your love as your workplace. And if you don't love your work, or believe in it, many of those around you will do or say things to make you feel like a loser.

But Gen Zers, don't believe the hype. Let the Millennials wallow (or degenerate) in their love-work fest. You've got to learn to love smarter. Because even though your workplace may be promising to develop your whole self, its goal isn't to help you. It's to optimize your personality, so you give everything inside you to expanding its profits.

So, ignore those exhortations to do what you love. It was fresh advice 20 years ago. Today, professionals' problems come not from failing to love work, but from loving work too much.
https://us.cnn.com/2022/06/04/opinio...hen/index.html

Gassho, J

STLah

[Jundo]

I recently sent this to my son, who is choosing a college major. It seems to make sense:

As college graduates, you'll likely be joining a class of people who describe their work using words like "passion," "love" and "authenticity." And you may be tempted by companies inviting you to bring what they'll call your "whole self" to work.

As I learned in my study of Silicon Valley work culture, it starts with giving you a paycheck. Soon they will give you a community. They'll try to shape your identity and offer you a purpose, imbuing every day with the sense you are not working for a paycheck but to make the world a better place.

To be sure, if you follow this path, you'll soon be in love with your work; body, mind, heart and soul. No other social institution will work so hard to earn your love as your workplace. And if you don't love your work, or believe in it, many of those around you will do or say things to make you feel like a loser.

But Gen Zers, don't believe the hype. Let the Millennials wallow (or degenerate) in their love-work fest. You've got to learn to love smarter. Because even though your workplace may be promising to develop your whole self, its goal isn't to help you. It's to optimize your personality, so you give everything inside you to expanding its profits.

So, ignore those exhortations to do what you love. It was fresh advice 20 years ago. Today, professionals' problems come not from failing to love work, but from loving work too much.
https://us.cnn.com/2022/06/04/opinio...hen/index.html

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shinshou]

I recently sent this to my son, who is choosing a college major. It seems to make sense:



Gassho, J

STLah

That's great advice. Here was my father's sobering advice when I had career day in high school:

"Dan, they're going to tell you to start with what you're good at, and that's a mistake. They're also going to tell you to start with what you love, and that's a mistake. Instead, think about things that you can get up early in the morning, day after day, five days a week, and do until you retire or die, because that's what work is. It doesn't matter how good you are or how much you love it, if you can't do it day in and day out, it shouldn't be a career. Use your career to do the things you love to do and are good at. It's a tool."
I think about that often.

Shinshou (Daniel)
Sat Today

[Onrin]

Great advice for Leon, and in general an interesting piece, thanks for posting Jundo.
That strikes a bit different in Japan as I know many who live separately from their family for work, and some seem to not mind, which gives me pause as to the health of society.
But as bad a Japan's work culture is, I think US corporate culture is even worse in different ways, demanding 24/7, no possibility of real time away ever.
On that happy note...
Gassho,
Chris

[Risho]

I think US corporate culture is even worse in different ways, demanding 24/7, no possibility of real time away ever.

I don't know much about Japanese work culture, but this is an overgeneralization; I'm sure it is like that at places, but I know of many good places to work. If this is the case where you or anyone work, you need to work for another company. Do not put up with that.

I agree with a lot of what's posted here - I tend to identify with things -- to try to box myself in and create this concrete notion of self with many things including work. But we know that we are way more than what we think we are.

That being said - when it comes to corporations, there are toxic cultures, but you need to leave them if you can; I know that's not always possible. In a good work culture, managers are like tenzo's imho; they should take care of their teams, and I mean really care for them like they are family. They should give away credit, they should take the blame. They should clearly set priorities and make their team feel safe. I know I'm going off topic, but this idea of a healthy work/corporate culture is something that "I" am passionate about; an unhealthy work environment is extremely detrimental.

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[noz]

Thank you all for your kind words! It is comforting to hear how others have lived through these similar neurological weather events. I got a few good nights of sleep as well, so that helps. (I have a one year old, so this was a nice surprise!).

With gratitude for you all,
Gassho
SatToday/LAH

[Tokan]

Universe expands,
Haiku such a waste of time:
Rain marks the season.

++++++++++

Interesting reading, thank you one and all

Gassho, Tokan (satlah)