What is work?

My Grandma J. has a habit of dropping off what my brother and I refer to as "Gameday Goodies" before heading to the Bill Snyder Family Stadium to cheer on the 'Cats at home football games. These typically consisted of home-made cookies and various fruit. During my last semester, she dropped off what will remain the greatest Gameday Goodie ever -- a home-made pumpkin pie. So, I called her that week to thank her and tell her how my roommates and I enjoyed it. That conversation, as all other conversations I have now, became about what I want to do with my life. My grandmother urged me to take the first job I could find. In her mind, a job is like any other job, and that is what I needed. I told my grandma that I didn't want only a job but a career. 


I always had a cram-packed schedule during college -- a demanding course load;  extracurricular activities with multiple weekly meetings, office hours, and more; and research work. While I am thankful for all of the opportunities for learning and growth I had through my extracurricular activities and research work, I felt as though I didn't have time to reflect upon what all of this learning and growth meant. I had lost focus on the long-run. I arrived at college with a solid 12-year plan involving undergraduate school, medical school, and a specialty fellowship. My interests expanded during college, though, and I was no longer certain I wanted to go to medical school. In addition to that life-altering realization, I had so many interests that I couldn't even tell my grandma a specific career path I wanted to follow. 


After two years of studying pre-physical therapy, my grandmother quit college when she married my grandfather. Years later, after raising three children, she returned to K-State to get a degree in Education. Since she hadn't realized what she truly wanted to do with her life until after raising a family, she thinks it is normal and completely acceptable to not realize your calling until you are in your 40s. While I am aware that is the case for many people and it may become the case for me, I don't want to start in that frame of mind because I don't want that for my life. I don't want to get just a job. I want to find a job that will be my first step towards a career. I wanted to take the time reflect upon everything I learned, decide what I enjoyed doing the most, and focus my interests. I didn't have the words to help my grandmother understand why. The conversation ended in a few tears of frustration and, still a teacher after retiring, my grandma saying she knew of a book that she was going to order from Amazon and have sent to my college address. 


The book my grandmother sent me is 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. I am working my way through it, and it is proving itself helpful. It has given me the words I was looking for when trying to explain to my grandmother why I didn't want just a job. The quote below, found in 48 Days, phrases my thoughts quite nicely.


“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both.” –James Michener


This is what work should be. This is what I wish for my life, and what I wish for every person's life. 


Today, I have more focused interests, but not because of 48 Days. Truly believing in life-long learning, I continued to study after graduating college. I have probably bought nearly the same number of books since graduating college as I bought during my four and a half years of college. I am well on my way to securing the first job of my career. 

I am certain I will be writing more about 48 Days. I recommend the book. However, true to my Grandma J., it talks about God's role in our work. So, if you aren't religious, then I would recommend finding a different career-guidance book. There is a pretty comprehensive suggested reading list in the back of 48 Days, so you could find it in a book store or library to take a look at those recommendations.