How do you feel about work? Do you talk about work in your journal writing?
Everyone will develop an attitude towards work, sooner or later. What’s yours?
Often, work has negative connotations: “That sounds too much like work!” we’ll say if labor of some kind is required.
Do you appreciate the opportunity to work and do you go about it with a positive attitude? Or do you dream of a life of leisure? Or somewhere in between: do you stay frustrated with the work you’re doing, wishing for something better?
Most of us must work to earn a living. But even if we’re “independently wealthy,” work will usually be a factor in some areas of life. You might work at being a homemaker, a student, a parent; you might work on your physique, your health, your golf swing.
Labor seems difficult and demeaning, something to be avoided. Work, though, can be enjoyable in some instances. Probably there are some things you like to work on and others you don’t.
So you could journal around the simple idea of work, to discover what your individual response is to it. As you dig up memories, stories, and feelings connected to work in your life, you’ll start to recognize patterns.
- If work of any kind seems an imposition to you, journal about that feeling. And then write about your ideal life, the work-free existence you imagine. Be as specific about the details as you can.
- If you love to work in your garden, but despise your office job, do a comparison of the two in your journal. What makes you love one kind of work and dislike the other?
- If you love your job and find it hard to tear yourself away from work, journal (sitting at your office desk, if you must!) about the rewards you get or hope to get from working so hard. Be fiercely honest with yourself!
Sometimes we run into work problems. Maybe it’s time for a job change; maybe you hit a wall in your skill-building; maybe you’re afraid to take on some necessary work.
Time to get out the journaling power tools.
- Start by getting totally clear with yourself about your attitude towards work. (See all the above.) Know that some kinds of work are highly enjoyable: the trick is to find which kind works that way for you.
- Write out the work issue as you see it, in gory detail. This could take several journaling sessions; be patient. You are addressing the problem even as you write it.
- Imagine the work-related problem is resolved. What does that look like? Journal a description of your world without this work trouble.
- Compare the present work issue with what you imagine a resolution would look like. What small part of the resolution could you implement in real time today? For example: you hate your job because you get no respect. Your resolution is to have a job you enjoy because you are respected. When you compare reality and your dream, one thing from your dream that you can carry over to your reality now is the sweet African violet that sits on your desk in your imaginary future job. Do not assume such a seemingly inconsequential detail is powerless; just keep journaling intentions in this way.
I think it’s fair to say that most of us spend most of our waking hours involved in work of some kind or another. Work is an important topic to examine in your journal because feeling great about the work you do is an important goal in life!
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The 27 Days Journaling Challenge starts September 1st. Is it time for you to manifest a healthier, happier You? Join us!