Study Background

For many years, I have worked very long hours and have become accustomed to living under constant stress. The past three quarters in C3 have illuminated this habit of living in crisis, allowed me to reflect on it, and supported me in adopting a new paradigm. I am changing my modus operandi and I am passionate about it.

At the same time, I have realized that I am not alone in this habit of stressful living. Many millions of others are feeling the damage that overwork does to their physical and emotional health. They too are experiencing the tremendous strain overwork places on the relationships that matter most. It is an individual problem, yes, but it is also systemic.

My area of interest, therefore, is to look at this problem and, more interestingly, at its solution(s). I want to know how to be well while working to contribute meaningfully in the world. The definition of "meaningfully" is obviously dependent on the person involved, but I use the word "contribution" because I am specifically talking about people who engage actively and work in the world. I am not as interested in the overwork issues faced by people who live in leisure! I am a consultant and so my specific focus will be how consultants stay well, energized and engaged with their work.

I want to find out if there is a social movement building or re-building in this regard—and early indications are that there is such a movement. I want to talk to people who do it well and to those who wish they did, and find out what motivates them either way. I want to find out what has been written about the subject and create a reading list for myself for Reflective Practicum 2. Finally, I want to be very conscious and deliberate in paying attention to my own work habits and the underlying mental models that reinforce them, especially because I am consciously working to change them. 
 

Learning Goals

• To find out what resources exist for further research on this topic and from them develop a sense of what being well while contributing meaningfully might look like.
• To begin to understand what motivates others to work long hours and/or to refuse to do so.
• To reflect on my motivations and habits around keeping busy and not being well while contributing to the world.