After the Story - Choices Like Rivers - Episode 26
After the Story - Choices Like Rivers - Episode 26
This podcast discusses each chapter of Choices Like Rivers and each episode is posted directly after the book episode. This corresponds to Chapter 10 Section 1.
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Sharon’s hard work paid off. Bill noticed it, appreciated it and rewarded her for it. This is what I was talking about earlier. The amazing feeling of being rewarded for hard work.
Sharon had worked exceedingly hard but it wasn’t sustainable and both she and her boss Bill knew that. Rather than divide the job into two separate individual jobs, he was rewarding her by allowing her to structure the other position and then supervise the employee.
Sharon was over the moon and rose to the challenge. This kind of heady feeling of approval can be as addictive as any other good feeling.
If we become addicted to this type of approval and praise from overworking, we will find ourselves overworking repeatedly and neglecting other things in our lives. It becomes a drug to us and is just as damaging to our souls. We become workaholics, an addictive behavior of over working for a dopamine hit.
When the time comes that we don’t receive the praise for our over achievements then we very often crash and burn. Toxic competition and jealousy are always crouching at the door of this type of behavior.
Working hard and receiving accolades for that job well done is a good thing until it isn’t. We must learn to work for the intrinsic rewards that it provides and not just the external ones.
Personally I love the feeling that I have finished my tasks for the day. I love setting goals and seeing them achieved. Most will never know that I completed a goal, much less set one in the first place. My own personal satisfaction is more than enough for me.
I began to feel a little put off when I posted to social media after completing something. I initially liked to share my good news with my friends on social media.
But often it was met with not just congratulations, but then on to very well meaning comments glorifying me and my talent. They were honest heartfelt comments, but I didn’t want flattery and it felt wrong to post something knowing my comment feed would be filled with that.
I post because I just want to share the beauty of a painting to enhance others lives, or an article I’ve written to teach and encourage others, which is often met with crickets chirping.
Posting art or engaging articles enhance my own life and I love it when others do that. The beautiful art is so entertaining and uplifting to me. I try and thank them or give them a thumbs up.
I also love reading articles that enhance my life. So when I do the same, I only want to enhance a life. But all of the posting has caused me to question my motive for doing so.
Why do I post and what is it I hope to accomplish from it. I believe we all need to reevaluate our motives.
Whether it is overworking for the dopamine hit of praise, or posting for the same result, let’s all remember that we must work to keep our lives in balance and our motives pure.
Work will fade away some day and we will in all probability fail or get fired, or not get that promotion at one time or another. But people and memories will fill our lives forever if we nurture them.
Balance is the key. We will all do well to remember that.
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