It’s been a week of compu-hell. There I said it. And I know I’m not alone. And as much as I tried to breathe through one technical issue after the next, it was hard to get past the moment and onto other business concerns. Sometimes we get so caught up in one problem and our inability to "fix it" instead of just giving it – and ourselves – a break. And then we think our conundrum is worse than our workplace colleagues.
Obviously, it’s all relative. If someone tells you they are having a rough day you can’t really compare your worklife chaos to someone elses. Take for example an audio technician named Larry who I met this past weekend. I REALLY felt for this guy. Check out his daily worklife scenario.
A WorkLife That’s Tough on the Ears
Excited about the purchase of some new audio equipment for my newly designed podcast (it’s on the way!) I enthusiastically headed into Sam Ash last week, a music and audio professional supply store. Who knew I’d get a lesson in worklife balance & serenity. In the store for only moments here’s what I encountered along with Larry, the nice gentleman who was helping me with my new equipment:
- Two joyful pre-teens circling and sampling various keyboards while their parents checked out a new speaker system from which sprang low notes that quaked through the body.
- A jazz musician who was checking out a new guitar ripping with non-stop licks that made your stomach feel as if it was on a roller coaster.
- A patient soul behind the counter who showed me how to use my new toy while juggling phone calls and other customer needs.
That’s a taste of Larry’s worklife. Asprin is a staple in that workplace. Larry peaks on occasion with a sigh to release a bubble of anxiety, but he gets right back to work. Larry loves his work, he loves music and he’s very good with people. So while his eardrums and patience get a daily beating, he sticks it out.
We all encounter chaos and stress on the job. From the Wall Street broker to the office techie who spends 12 hours at a time fixing other people’s computer problems.I thought working in a TV newsroom trumped just about anything as far as chaotic working environments; but then I thought, hmmmm…
- What about those who work within health care or emergency positions tackling disasters like the raging fires in Southern California.
- And the Harlem elementary school teacher who fears for her well-being just commuting to work in the morning.
- Or donning a police uniform on a beat in South Central LA.
Again, it’s all relative. We must all weigh the angst of our working conditions with our passion for our work. When is the stress too much? What are we willing to sacrifice to do what we love? When do we hit the tipping point when our work is not fulfilling enough to keep up a good front?
STAY TUNED: As promised there will be more stories and podcasts from the worklife experts at the International Spirit at Work Awards.
