The Pushmi-Pullyu of Perfection - The Perfect Job (Part Deux)

The Pushmi-Pullyu of Perfection - The Perfect Job (Part Deux)

TO TAME MY pushmi-pullyu at work, I transformed my old pushmi-pullyu thinking into more constructive thinking:

The Pushmi-Pullyu Thought:

My work must be purposeful and, in the grand scheme of life, make a difference.

Constructive Thinking:

It’s not likely that marketing technology products will change the course of anyone’s life, but my profession allows me the flexibility to fulfill my purpose, which is to encourage my girlfriends. My hobby, not my work, fulfills my passion and allows me to contribute to something greater than myself.

The Pushmi-Pullyu Thought:

I am not fairly compensated for my contributions to the organization.

Constructive Thinking:

Compared to people who really do make a difference—teachers, clergy, social workers, police officers—I’m grossly overpaid for what I contribute. Rethinking this, now I’m embarrassed by what I earn compared to those who have given their lives to careers that I wouldn’t do for all the tea in China.

The Pushmi-Pullyu Thought:

I am bored with this work—I think I have outgrown the organization.

Constructive Thinking:

Since I can complete my tasks more efficiently than others, I can further contribute by helping my coworkers with their workload. Aha, maybe I can contribute to mankind and work here after all!

The Pushmi-Pullyu Thought:

I’m sick of my peers and their terrible attitudes.

Constructive Thinking:

I love my iPod, and these new headphones are great! Praise God for those engineers at Apple!

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die. (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

If you work in a job that you have chosen, if you serve in a role where you’re competent, if you provide a service to employees or customers, and if you feel good because you’ve done an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, that’s about as perfect as it gets. Congratulations.