Do what you love should be more than a slogan or meme. It should be the preoccupation of every workspace. Finding love is not just about finding a romantic partner; rather, it is the discovering, celebrating and practicing of all the things that bring you joy. This is different than keeping everyone happy. When you find that person, that action, the sight or feel of something you love, you will do the hard work to make it better.
Can you describe your work as your passion? Do you get paid to have at least some components of your work be described as something you love. Do you love what you do for a living? And to expand that question out a little farther, do you love the place that you work, do you love the culture of your work?
These questions should be our preoccupation and it is not all about the money. I am constantly amazed by the incredible skillset and talent that exists in public schools. Why are they there when they can be making twice as much under better conditions somewhere else?
Do what you love should be more than a slogan or meme. It should be the preoccupation of every workspace. Finding love is not just about finding a romantic partner; rather, it is the discovering, celebrating and practicing of all the things that bring you joy. This is different than keeping everyone happy. When you find that person, that action, the sight or feel of something you love, you will do the hard work to make it better.
Do what you love and fostering this value in the workplace has multiple benefits. When we do things that bring us joy, we nourish our nervous system, we feed our mental health and resilience.
You don't need a visioning workshop or an immediate goal. Set up boards where staff can build lists or ideas. The first step is helping workplace communities become aware and practice noticing what brings them joy.
Here are a few suggestions you can work with in your workplace communities:
Name Three Things You Love to Do. What are the activities that give you more energy? What do you do that brings a smile to your face?
Name Three Sounds You Love. What is the music that puts a smile on your face, or familiar sounds or welcoming noises?
Name Three Things You Love to See. What brings you joy when you look at it? It could be photos of places you have been that bring up good memories, or photos of people or pets you love, or a video of something you admire or appreciate.
Make a list of 5 things that you can do that remind you of the people, the activities, the memories, or the experiences you love.
Then make time to practice these ideas. Incorporate them into your workplace, especially if that workplace happens to be your home. Short, repeated interventions are the ways in which we develop a strong resilient brain, and they are also the way we can foster or destroy communities.
Find what you love and see where it points you both at work and at home.