The day I realized that I not only loved my life + life’s work, but it also loved me back, was one of the greatest days of my life!! It’s been a labor of love ever since.
Here are 3 things you can do to begin a mutually loving relationship with your life’s work:
1. Define it. All of us have our own definition of “work”.
What I’ve discovered in one of my favorite books…the dictionary…is that the definition relies heavily on whether it’s defined as a noun or a verb.
If you view your work as a “job”, it’s likely that you define it as a noun. If you view it as I do, “creative energy and expression”, then you’re definitely in the verb camp.
Take a look at the difference between the two. Which definition do you choose?
Noun: 1. activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result; “he was tired after a day’s work in the fields”.
synonyms: labor, toil, slog, drudgery, exertion, effort, industry, service; informal grind, sweat, elbow grease; literary travail; “a day’s work in the fields”.
2. mental or physical activity as a means of earning income; employment.
“I’m still looking for work”.
Verb: 1. be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one’s job; do work; “an engineer who had been working on a design for a more efficient wing”.
- produce (an article or design) using a specified material or sewing stitch
- set to or keep at work
- cultivate (land) or extract materials from (a mine or quarry)
- solve (a puzzle or mathematical problem)
- practice one’s occupation or operate in or at (a particular place)
- make efforts to achieve something; campaign
synonyms: be employed, earn one’s living, do business
2. (of a machine or system) operate or function, especially properly or effectively; “his car was working perfectly”.
synonyms: function, go, run, operate; informal behave
As I said, my personal definition of work is creative energy and expression. I view my work as my life’s work (purpose, mission, calling, gift), and my body of work is a creation of loving my life + life’s work well. When you relate to your work this way…it loves you back!
What matters most for you and your life is your definition. How do you define it?
2. Engage with it. As with any relationship, full engagement and commitment are essential for a life long love affair. The relationship we have with our work is one of the most important relationships we will ever engage in.
If you feel as though it’s not the love you expected, then it’s time to make a decision. Be faithful to the one you choose, and watch what happens.
3. Make love with it. Become one with your work, and produce offspring that represent your definition of work, engagement, love, and success. Give birth to your dreams and deliver your desires.
Fully engaging and making love with your life’s work will create not only work that loves you back, but a life that LOVES YOU WELL!!
If you desire to love your life + life’s work well, H.E.A.L. … Hope, Energy, Awareness, Love it well!!
My hope is that on this particular Labor Day, you’re more inspired than ever to get your hope’s up; be energized to fully engage; be aware of your definitions, beliefs, and desires; make a commitment to be in LOVE with YOU, YOUR LIFE + LIFE’S WORK!!
To learn more about YOU, your life’s work, and level of ENGAGEMENT in your life, discover your eRATING here.
Happy Labor Day!
xo Dr. Shannon (doctorshannon.com)