We all are characters in a "divine work drama", in which scientists wanted to become painters and doctors wanted to become actors!!
At some point of your career, you might have thought that this was not the career you had actually wished for. What happens in most of the cases is that, instead of we choose a career, most of us (of course including me) fell victim to a career!! Our necessity for earning money makes us accept whatever comes in our way. Later on when we realize there are certain things in life which are more important than money (unfortunately this we realize after we earn a threshold level of money!!), the frustration starts ringing its bell. This article is an attempt to understand the dynamics behind the job frustration, through the prism of my own experience.
Many times I felt that I am wasting my life wrestling with the keyboard and the content of the papers on my table, demanding different requirements for the equipments installed to serve the process industry. I think that this is due in large part to the fact that I stare at a computer every day performing menial tasks that I feel trivial. On top of that, my brain is not the only thing that is hurting -- my heart is not doing well either because as I sit here and think back to what I thought I would do with my life, I can't help but get depressed.
Two Types of Approaches Towards Work
1. The Beck Theory of Working
I have sought outside comfort and advice from friends, family and some experts I know to try and give me perspective on this issue. One day, while discussing with one of my friends, he told me about the life of a musician called “Beck”. Beck's life goal was to play music -- so much so that during the day he would work any odd job he could find so that he could have enough money to live. This would leave his evenings, and any other free time he had available for his real passion: music. This approach is what I would like to call the “Beck Theory of Working”
The Beck Theory of Working considers our job only as a support mechanism for the higher purposes in life and hence we should not worry about the job. It insists you go to work even though you don’t like it, so that you can earn money to live and utilize any “spare time” available for holier purposes. It’s a good idea to get rid of job frustration, isn’t it? But the problem is that I will have a nervous breakdown in the due course if I subscribe to “Beck Theory of Working”
2. The Brick Theory of Working
The "Brick Theory of Working," is based on a parable I read elsewhere. A wealthy and idiosyncratic king hired a poor farmer to do his bidding for him, for which he paid him handsomely. The work assigned to the farmer was to move piles of brick from one end of the field to another, and then back again -- all day long, and without reason!! At first the farmer was appreciative because he was poor and was finding it difficult to make ends meet on his farm. However, in time, he began to resent the work. Despite the fact that the farmer was being paid handsomely, within a few weeks, he quit. The incredulous king asked why, especially in light of his salary. The farmer responded, "I don't care how much you pay me. All I do is move piles of brick back and forth for no reason. I can't live with myself because I don't accomplish anything useful."
The Brick Theory of Working explains that human beings will not be happy with professions that simply require them to move bricks without reason, or other similar professions because at our deepest level, we are creative beings. One of the goals of life is to strive to be "like God" and just as God is creative (He is the ultimate Creator -- after all, He created the universe), we too must create in some way, and we will never feel fulfilled in our professions until we are able to unleash that creative energy.
It's probably no surprise to learn that I have come up with at least one answer in my search: I ascribe to the Brick Theory of Working. The advantage of this school of thought is that I don't have to accept the idea of spending a lifetime in an unfulfilling career. The disadvantage is that I have to come to terms with my present job and the fact that it will discourage me to see any alternative career avenues in the short term anyway.
Although I continue to struggle to understand my place in the working world, I take solace in my belief that everything ultimately happens for a reason (believe me dude, no one will pay you for no reason!!). Even though I cannot see the value of what I am doing now (apart from sitting idle and writing mails!!), there is certainly some purpose in it. And when I finally find the career path that I am destined for, I know that what I have learned over the past few years will make me better in whatever I do.
In the interim, seems like I have no choice but to continue to move piles of bricks. Hopefully, soon I'll be able to take those piles of bricks and build a beautiful castle (may be a 100 storey building!!), who knows?? I am waiting for the right time to come. At this moment I can only say “Que Sera Sera” (Whatever will be will be).
