Our Interior Life and Our Work

By now, it should be eminently clear that time spent on our spiritual life not only helps us move closer to God, but provides practical benefits in our work life and our personal life. The key to understanding this entails understanding the fundamental value of peace and stability in our lives.

While I suspect most of us would nod our assent in recognition of the critical importance of peace and stability in our spiritual lives, maybe you're not sold on its importance in our work lives. For example, I know folks who wind themselves up at the beginning of the work day and whirl about their workspace like the Tasmanian Devil (Looney Tunes fans click HERE for a reminder). I should know, having been one who relied on such nervous energy for long stretches of time when it came to my work. 

I've had bosses who primed and primped themselves such that they always appeared upbeat, positive, with boundless energy. Their carefully honed image was, I suppose, intended to both motivate their "troops," as well as project an "I'm always at the top of my game" statement day in and day out. Others weren't so primped, but simply had a constant edge, making themselves unpleasant to be around. (How that was supposed to motivate was always beyond me.)

How does any of this produce good work, or, more accurately, a good product? It doesn't. Indeed, those who actually produce something besides an carefully crafted image generally need to be the opposite. Consider a craftsman, a draftsman, an engineer, a scientist, a serious musician or artist, most professions, etc. - the list could go on. 

In time, even I had to recognize that the adrenalin-laced nervous energy that pushed me along really didn't produce better work. So slowly but surely I found a better way to get things done well and on time without all the drama. If you're still playing the Tasmanian Devil, I recommend you consider a better way too - one built on peace and stability.

As we saw last time, that great book on the Interior Life, The Soul of the Apostolate, at one point recommends what some may find unusual, especially if our work life typically presses in on us and keeps us on our toes.

It's important that we understand that it's basic intention is to allow us to pursue the duties of our state of life without squelching or marginalizing our spiritual lives. But equally important, you can rest assured it will not adversely affect your producing good work and getting it done on time. It may take some adjustment of your usual routines - maybe even some radical adjustment. I've found this to be the case. But, so far, it's been worth the effort.

I only learned about this a month or so ago. Since then I've attempted to incorporate it into my work life. Here's the recommendation again, presented in its 2 parts:

1. I will always take more time than is necessary to do everything. This is the way to avoid being in a hurry and getting excited.

2. Since I will invariably have more things to do than time in which to do them, and this prospect preoccupies me and gets me all worked up, I will cease to think about all I have to do, and only consider the time I have at my disposal. I will make use of that time, without losing a moment of it, beginning with the most important duties; and as regards those that may or may not get done, I shall not worry about them.

Maybe you can see how, without understanding the context and the purpose of this recommendation, it might come across as a bit too laid back for some of us. Block out too much time for our work? Block out time and do what we can in that allotted time - then move on?

In the past, I would not only block out huge blocks of time for my work, but would also continue hammering away until I got everything done. In those "start-up" 24/7 days recently referenced I would never feel satisfied until I practically collapsed from exhaustion at the end of the day. Now, I'm not saying that, in the circumstance of starting up a business, you can totally avoid long days. You do what you gotta do if you want to get things moving. That's especially true if you need a certain flow of revenue to simply feed your family. But it's rare that that situation persists forever.

As a business owner, at a certain point it should sink in that you don't need to be a Tasmanian Devil, or primed and primped, or grim and on edge. to get the work done and/or to lead and manage your employees. If you're in that situation and it hasn't sunk in, it may be time to step back and make an assessment of the business you're in: whether it's really able to provide the living you require (and your requirements should be modest, not extravagant); or whether you're simply addicted to your work (a so-called "workaholic"). Based on that assessment, a change may be in order.

The same applies to being an employee. Sure, you'll have less control than a business owner (at least theoretically). You may be pressed to put in extraordinary hours either out of necessity (a special push or project that's got an urgent deadline), or simply because the "culture" of your workplace expects and breeds extreme hours and effort. But you get to a point where, if you're serious about your spiritual life, something has to give. Again, a change may be in order.

So unless you're wedded to established habits, it may be time to consider this two-part recommendation. Next time we'll dive in and see why I've been finding this recommendation so helpful - so far.