Work Like Watching a Movie
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"Team X said their delivery will be late by another 3 weeks!" a team lead stormed into my office, "I can't believe this. This is the second time they miss their deadline. They have no idea what they are doing!" "Yeah." I nodded, "... you look so drained by this project. How are you doing?" "I feel stressed and unsatisfied by their incompetence, naturally.", the team lead said. "Do you like watching movies", I asked. "Yeah, sure." "There are three ways to watch a movie. 1. The Bystander Way: You're distanced, analytical, and never really invested. You dissect camera angles, dialogue delivery, and plot structure but never get into the heart of the story. 2. The Emotional Way: You're not just watching; you're living the movie. Every high and low tugs at your heartstrings, leaving you emotionally drained. 3. The Mindful Way: You're immersed, yet detached. You experience the film, but a small voice inside keeps you from losing yourself completely." The team lead was lost, "How is this related to our work?" "If you choose the bystander way, being overly detached at work, you are just a critic that care about nothing. Yes, you might make objective judgments, but you lack passion and commitment. You are the one rolling your eyes at team-building activities or dismissing attempts to build a strong culture. You won't have fun at work and you won't do well. If you get into the emotional way, everything's personal. A code review comment feels like an attack; a missed deadline by a co-worker turns into a disater. You're consumed by every project, every interaction. The result? Burnout, strained relationships, and a corrosive work environment. Choosing the mindful way, you're engaged but not entangled. You care about the quality of your work and your relationships with colleagues, yet you don't let the highs and lows control your emotional state. You can appreciate good work, give constructive criticism, and navigate stressful situations with poise. "That sounds interesting.", the team lead said, "So, how do we stay the mindful way at work?" "Well, 1. Self-awareness: Before reacting, take a breath. Step back and assess the situation as if you're watching it on a screen. 2. Perspective Shift: A code review is not an attack; it's an opportunity for improvement. A delay is not a disaster; it's a hiccup in the process. Change the narrative. 3. Be Present but Not Consumed: Invest your skills and talents in your tasks but detach your ego from the outcomes. 4. Seek Balance: It's essential to have a long-term vision but also to not lose sight of the present. Aim for a state of 'flow' where you're fully engaged now but not emotionally depleted. Remember, at work, just like in a movie, we all have to leave at the end. 'All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely Players; They have their exits and their entrances' Enjoy the show!"