Being "Absorbed" in Work

"Work is something you have to endure."
"Since you're getting paid, it's natural for it to be somewhat painful."
"I have to prioritize what I can do over what I want to do."

There was a time when I thought that way, too.

But after becoming a remote worker, I've come to think that
work is not something to be endured, but something to be enjoyed.

And perhaps it's possible to shape the work you currently have into something you can get absorbed in, without changing it entirely.
I learned about an article that made me think that way from my colleague, Rii-san.

Working Between Anxiety, Boredom, and Absorption

In the article I read this time, it captured the state of being at work through the lens of
"anxiety," "boredom," and "absorption."
When a task is too difficult for your skill level, you feel "anxiety," and conversely, when it is too easy, you feel "boredom." It introduced the state of being "absorbed"—where you can be fully immersed—as being right in between those two.

I think this is very applicable to remote work and freelancing.

When you work from home, there is no one to design or guide your work for you.
What to do, how much to do, and in what form to provide value.
You have to choose and adjust most of that yourself.

That is precisely why, if you just handle the work that comes in front of you, you may find yourself leaning toward either "anxiety" or "boredom" before you know it.

Feeling anxious that you might not be able to do it, and staying tense all the time.
Doing only familiar work, and feeling your heart stop moving.
Feeling unfulfilled even though you are busy.
Falling into those feelings is the same even in remote work.

Trying to Let Go of "Salary as Compensation for Endurance"

Another impressive message from the article was
"unlearning the idea that 'salary is compensation for endurance.'"

I used to think that way too...

Furthermore, as a hint for increasing job satisfaction, it showed the importance of being conscious of where
"what I want to do," "what I'm good at," and "what is appreciated by others"
overlap.

Looking at this, I felt that it's not just a simple matter of "let's only do what I like," but rather...

what you want to do
what you can naturally demonstrate your strengths in
what can be useful to someone

I felt that it is important to gradually cultivate the place where these three things overlap.

This is my own theory, but when you are thanked by someone, instead of just accepting it humbly, you should get carried away. Getting carried away doesn't mean resting on your laurels; it means recognizing that you were helpful, taking pride in that, and engaging in your work more proactively.

When you are thanked for your work, do you ever let it slide, thinking that anyone could do that much?
Instead of that, are you only looking at your failures, the times you caused trouble, and the things you can't do?

A work style that suits you is something you cultivate little by little.

Women's work styles, in particular, change significantly depending on their life stage.
Child-rearing, housework, family schedules, available working hours, and mental bandwidth.
Because it is not possible to work under the same conditions every day,
there is a limit to a "work style of just pushing through with sheer willpower."

That is why I believe that
working hard by wearing yourself outis far less important than
finding and cultivating a work style that suits you.I believe this is much more important.

This is not about the hours you work or the content of your tasks, but about your mindset.

Work that you can get absorbed in is not something that is just lying around in a finished form from the start;
it is something that becomes visible as you try things, notice discomfort, make adjustments, and try again.

"I might like this a little bit."
"Maybe people will be happy if I do this."
"Maybe it would be easier to do it this way."

I believe that gathering these small sensations
leads, as a result, to a work style that is uniquely your own.

Not for endurance, but to get closer to being absorbed

If you are currently feeling conflicted about your work,
or if you are working hard but don't feel fulfilled,
or if phrases like "turn what you love into your job" sound like empty platitudes to you.

I don't think you need to force yourself to be positive.
But, I think it is important to ask yourself if you are currently
working in anxiety,
working in boredom,
or if there is any room to get even a little closer to being absorbed.

I think it is important to look back and reflect in that way.

And one more thing.

Within the work you are doing now,
is there a seed where "what you want to do," "what you are good at," and "what makes others happy" overlap?
If there is, you might be able to cultivate it further.

Work is not a testament to your endurance.
It is a means to be useful to someone while making the most of yourself.

When you can think of it that way,
working might become a little kinder and a little freer.

I am still on that journey myself.
That is precisely why I want to continue thinking together
about work styles that allow each person to get closer to being "absorbed" rather than just "enduring."