I learned a couple of work illusion early on in my life.
I worked with my dad painting and remodeling for 9 years. One observation I made during that time was the reaction customers had when we got the job done quickly. (What do you expect with an energized teen and a boss with more than 30 years experience?) We worked so many jobs to be able to do quality work in a short period of time…but that came with consequences.
Queue the labor illusion.
When work gets judged, we might say the speed of completion matters, but what really matters is that we’ve seen that you worked your butt off for us.
Speed and easiness on your end makes the customer, the client, maybe even the boss, feel cheated. Think about it. Most people view the amount of investment they’re willing to make by evaluating the time and effort they’re saving. If you make it seem quick and easy, they feel cheated.
Moreover, no one likes to feel like they could have done it themselves and saved money and humiliation in the fact they hired or asked someone to do something (that appears!) easy to do.
Another work illusion I’ve learned is the effort trap.
I’ve worked 16 hour days, 70 hour weeks. I’ve skipped meals, gatherings, events. I’ve given up a lot in the attempt to feel, and (admittedly egotistically) say I’ve worked hard.
Our work culture is exhaustive. Literally meaning we convince ourselves that we ought to judge our work by our tiredness, even though every artist ever will say a handful of hours of focusing on one single project is more fulfilling and lucrative then working two different jobs, cramming four different projects and plowing through all your emails.
Now comes how to rid these illusions.
You know how when you have a gift for someone, it feels good knowing you’re going to give it to them when you see them? You go your entire day knowing and feeling that you’re about to make someone’s day.
Think of your work as a gift. (I hope you already do.) Don’t work hard to create something and give it away right away. Hang onto it. Make it special. Give it to your boss, your client, your coworker when it will mean the most to you both. (Hint: now is not always the time to give a gift)
As for the effort trap. Completing the toughest tasks of the day first remains the best option.
If you still care about working hard, work hard to do these two things rather than filling your day with busywork.
Stay Positive & Do The Right Things, Not just Lots Of Things
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