We live in absurd times—what should be natural has become unusual and what was once taken for granted is touted as exceptional.
I’ve been aware of this trend for some time, but it came into clear focus recently when I read the words “Farm Raised” in bold print on the front of a carton of organic milk.
Having grown up in an era when the New England countryside had more dairy farms than shopping malls, my first thought was, “Where else?” But sadly I know enough about how the “food-industrial complex” works to understand that most of the milk in the dairy case comes from places that are a lot more like factories than farms.
Being overworked and prematurely terminated are not conditions exclusive to factory cows. Having to function in an environment that is foreign to the nature of who they are or are meant to become is a constant theme in the stories clients tell me.
It would be easy for me to go off on how cows are “intensively confined, continually impregnated, and bred for high milk production with little concern for their well-being” by this system, but my purpose here is not to talk about the manipulation of our food supply.
If the idea of cows on a hillside grazing contentedly on clover is a myth perpetuated by agribusiness for its own purposes, perhaps the same could be said for the professional contentment the stall-like offices and cubicles of corporations and institutions.
Being overworked and prematurely terminated are not conditions exclusive to factory cows. Having to function in an environment that is foreign to the nature of who they are or are meant to become is a constant theme in the stories clients tell me.
The lucky ones are aware that this condition isn’t sustainable. As one of my clients, a young woman who has advanced through the ranks of a big company as far as she can go, said to me, “It’s not that the work isn’t important, it’s just not important to me. Sitting in front of a screen hour after hour is soul-sucking.”
Her clarity in knowing she can’t continue to function as a cog in a corporate machine indefinitely puts her in difficult position, but it also helps to motivate her to seek out other pastures.
Others are not aware of how flat they’ve gone until I ask them to express the level of self-fulfillment they find in their current work as a percentage.
They’re often surprised to see themselves fall below 50%, but once they take ownership of this, they become open to looking for ways to improve it incrementally, in small steps, such as negotiating for an expansion of their responsibilities or scope of influence or asking for training in a topic of interest to them.
Even if these are just short-term measures put in place while they look for another position, the increase in energy they provide has a positive effect. It makes the job more bearable and changes how they carry themselves into their next role.
What’s dangerous is when someone is unaware of a slow leak. If he allows himself to get flatter and flatter and doesn’t attend to it, he could find himself in a professional cul-de-sac at mid-career, just the time in his life when he is under the greatest financial pressure.
It’s useful to ask yourself the question, how satisfied am I with my work? at least a few times a year. If you feel like you’re in a slump, talk about it with a trusted mentor, a colleague or career professional to find out if the dip is situational, related to current circumstances, or systemic, and then brainstorm what you might do about it.
This article was so spot on! After being a Human Resource Professional for over 25 years for a couple of large corporations in Lane County Oregon, it was a struggle to make myself go to work every day. You and I communicated and your first “exercise” that you had me do, made me realize it was time to get out of that profession. Two years ago (in September) I cashed in my retirement and went into business. This has been the hardest job I’ve ever had, and the lowest paying, but I leap out of bed each day to see what new challenge I will encounter. Yes, I’m dead tired each evening and will need to work longer before I retire but I’m definitely glad to be out of my office/cubicle – no longer being the company “bad guy” enforcing policies and procedures that I don’t believe in.
@Marilou, Thank you for sharing your challenging and rewarding choice to become more authentically yourself. Bev
Well said! The cow metaphor is perfect, and so the later one about deflation. Very powerful. Please keep writing.
@Sharon Teitelbaum, . Sometimes my metaphors seem a bit far a field (pun intended) so I’m am reassured by your appreciation for it and grateful for your encouragement to keep writing. Bev
Beverly, I cannot imagine a more eloquent way to describe this situation. I’ve read your articles for some time and have recently given up my cubicle and a six figure income. Now I happily jump into the car early for an 8 minute commute to a min wage job. My team makes a difference in people’s lives and we enjoy each other’s company. That’s all I really need but it was a long process to find it. Thank you, ~M
@Margaret, Not everyone has the courage to take leadership responsibility for matching their values (making a difference and enjoying yourself) to their professional life or the perseverance to stay in a long process when the others think you’re crazy! Well done, Bev
Bev,
I love, love, love your cow metaphor. It conjures up the notion so well that if it ever were time to escape the advertised bucolic pasture, it’s now. How long do we really want to be ‘overworked and prematurely terminated’ because of fear of other pastures. Cows can’t stand up for their well-being, but we can. Great suggestions also that are easily doable on a daily basis. Susan Cook
@Susan Cook, Standing up for our well being is hard work especially when our culture, media and family systems would have us follow the herd! Bev
I realize your newsletter is primarily geared to job holders & seekers, but your mention of the plight of dairy cows triggered this response.
Coincidentally, I just read “Gaining Ground” by Forrest Pritchard (link below),
the true story of one man’s efforts to save his family’s farm by returning to age-old, sustainable farming practices including raising grass-fed, humanely-treated cattle. I met Forrest at a farmer’s market, early in his efforts, and was impressed by his sincerity, hard work and dedication — not only to the farm & its animals, but to providing healthy food to consumers.
His well-written, entertaining book makes the case for supporting our community farmers who in turn support us with good food and sustainable practices that enhance the land we live on — and depend on.
Please read this book! And rejoice to learn that there is a growing number of farmers who are trying to “do the right thing” for us, and for the planet. Learn about what these farmers are doing and give them your support, especially those in your area.
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780762787258
@Andrea, Thank you for the resource, Andrea. It’s all interconnected. When we do the right thing one anyplace it benefits the whole (and vice versa). Bev