The Real Work

personal development Nov 23, 2020
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What is "the real work?"  

Is it defined by the routines, roles, or responsibilities in your job, career, or vocation? Is it a measure of how well you conform, comply, check the boxes, and keep your head down?

I don't think so.

The real work is defined by your values, volition, and character. It's expressed through the emotional labor of empathy, care, consideration, and compassion.

The real work is human work.

Work done with and for others that seeks to make things better, that's the real work.

We enhance our lives most through efforts that serve and elevate others.

The Real Work

by Wendell Berry

It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,

and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.

The impeded stream is the one that sings.

The real work happens when we embrace uncertainty, when we are lost, when we are confused, and when we navigate adversity. The real work fosters the real and necessary human skills of humility, acceptance, patience, and resilience.

Where and with whom are you doing the real work today?


Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at  C reative on Purpose

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