I had it when I started my first job. After a decade of self-employment, I felt anchored. The job is meaningful, engaging, and I’m passionate about doing good work—but it’s also “just” a job. I realize I might not have this role forever, and everything else I’ve got going on my life makes it easy to close the laptop and care about other projects with equal enthusiasm, if not more.
Still, it’s easy to lose yourself in the day to day. The more deadlines and crises hit, the more often you hear it’s “urgent, urgent, urgent!” the more chances you have to fall into the trap. I’ve probably done so a few times already. But even on the few occasions I worked late so far, it was more of an acquiescent, “alright, let’s roll up the sleeves and get this thing done” kind of attitude than outright panic.
The zen formula. What is it? I’m not sure. But whatever its exact components, you can parse any topic or issue through it in order to feel calm when approaching the challenge. It’s less mathematical than emotional. That much I know. Reason and logic only go so far in quieting our nerves. Yet, it can still be a reliable formula. A piece of code you can rely on again and again—as long as you remember it.
Zen stories help. Meditation helps. Quitting coffee helps. But perhaps most helpful of all is lived experience.
Don’t let the world rattle you more than it should. Time solves any crisis—especially those at work—be it with or without our support. Work on your zen formula.
