New perspectives

Someone made me stop and think yesterday. Actually someone a good friend introduced me to on Facebook. We've been chatting away on email, and last week he asked me about my job.

I gave him a quick overview of what I do, together with the comments you will have heard me make before relating to the things I like about it. Being able to make a difference to people, being interested in what makes people tick, getting to see different places, getting to be nosy about other people's companies and jobs.

I also commented on the things I'm less keen on. Constant travel playing havoc with my social life. Sometimes feeling isolated, miles away from home with just room service for company. Needing to take on less so I don't let work take over totally (I know, I know - self-inflicted).

Yesterday, he mailed me back to tell me some more about his own work and made his own comments on mine.  His job sounded pretty hard to me. He totally believes in it and is obviously very talented. But it doesn't sound the easiest path to choose.  And his comment on what I do? 'It sounds like one of those dream jobs.'

It stopped me in my tracks. It also made me think back to those times I've heard similar comments from friends over the years. Being on a train to Edinburgh and feeling shattered ... then getting a text from a friend saying 'I wish I got to do something other than come into the same place every day'.  Getting exasperated with a conference supplier and stressing about how I could get myself to the video editing suite I'd double-booked a meeting with, and later having a friend say 'wow! Editing videos! And what an amazing sounding conference-  you're so lucky!' The kind of things I take for granted but, when I think about it, are actually pretty good. And not the kind of combination you'd find in most jobs.

Since I got that mail yesterday I've found myself comparing what I do to quite a few other friends' jobs, and feeling a combination of a bit guilty for the times when I let it drive me mad, and a lot lucky for the things I get to do.  I have quite literally - as I've been typing this - just got the link through for a short course in positive psychology I've signed up for. I read a book about it recently and found it pretty interesting - it's all about what makes people feel fulfilled and positive. One of the things I remember from the book is that spending some time every day reflecting on the things you have to feel good about goes a long way towards making you feel more happy, more of the time.

It's funny how it sometimes it just takes an odd comment to stop you in your tracks, isn't it. But that one did. I'm off on holiday for a few days tomorrow and will be writing myself a list of all the things I love about what I do. Then I'll stick it on my noticeboard for those times when I forget.

Sue