Dignified Work

Jobs. They sure are not what I thought they were growing up. Swimming was my first job. Dream job! I remember bitching about practice and Matt drilling sense into my noggin: "You do realize we're working out for a living." Swimming is all about self-improvement. Long ago Phelps understood he was immensely talented. He knew he was making jaws drop and competitors cry. I do not believe Michael hungered for improvement because he loved the crowd's reaction or the fear of his competitors. I think the truly exceptional swimmers are addicted to improvement for improvement's sake. Phelps has a gift and a hunger to see that raw material chiseled into a masterpiece. The same goes for Matty. Hunger is the catalyst that launches talent to the next level. How about those who are hungry and not especially gifted? "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" is plastered on a wall in the U of A weight room. It's a powerful mantra, but is it true? I think it depends on what level of talent we're working with. I trained partially for the 50 free my senior year and I got faster, but not top-8-in-the-US fast. I could train only for the 50 free, but there are still girls out there who could beat me with less training and their super fast-twitch muscle fibers. I recognized breaststroke as my gift when I was seven years old. I guess I do not know what it's like to have a gift and not care. Flushing my found talent down the pooper never occurred to me because it was so thrilling to discover I was naturally good at something. By design, I was good at positioning my ankles and knees at totally unnatural angles. Why do they bend that way? I felt a responsibility to hone my craft.

Now, pop out of the swimming bubble. Enter real world. No cushion of water around us and time of focused meditation each day. Rude awakening for most swimmers. We hear our entire lives that skills from sport translate directly across into the work force. But most employers do not opt for the candidate boasting discipline, commitment, and a hard work ethic over the guy with five years of experience in the field. I spent valuable hours of my life filling out online applications that were never read. I once submitted an application and simultaneously received an email stating "this position has been filled." If I owned a small business, I would be old school and have applicants hand deliver their application, or set up a Skype date if they're far away. People skills are not perceived in a resume, even with an extensive list of extracurricular activities. The gist of my rant is: employment is not as cookie cutter as it seems in elementary school. "What will you be, little Annie?" Either a dentist or a dog barber (aka groomer, that was my dream job in Kindergarten). Apparently my objectives were blurred in the next two decades. I chose print journalism as my major, to which Papa Chandler responded, "Really? I just don't picture you a Lois Lane." Haha. Now I can laugh about that. I loved my education, but finding an occupation to exercise my verbiage is challenging. I freelance for a local lifestyle mag, which is what brought me back to pounding these keys. I think I can write well at times, but I also know I can be better. I'm hungry to be better. That does not come about often and when it does, it feels like a divine tug.

Not everyone does what they love. Forty seven percent of Americans were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, according to this survey of 5,000 households. So it's fair to say over half of employed Americans hate their jobs or just hate working. I've seen work suck the life out of people. I had a job that made me into a miserable person. Worth it for the money? No way.

I've been a Dr. Timothy Keller addict lately. Today on the treadmill, I listened to Our Work and Our Character. The scripture behind the message is:

7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord. 

Ephesians 6:7-8

It's really hard to formulate a summation of any of Dr. Keller's messages because he's bright, speaks quickly, and covers the gamut of topics. The standout point in the sermon for me was laboring for the Lord. Work diligently, knowing the way in which you do your work is noted by the One who created you and bestowed gifts upon you. Don't like your boss? Hating your boss will not make your work better, but striving to make an eternal impression with your character will.

Another broadening highlight in Keller's message: "All work is dignity. All workers have dignity. All work is the calling of God." Everyone is needed. We had a cleaning lady come to our house today. We never have our house cleaned, but this gal came with a rave recommendation from my neighbor. Does anyone else feel really awkward when someone is cleaning their home? I feel guilty. I started trying to lend a hand, even though I know it's her job. It's her job and she is needed. For someone physically unable to clean (not me, I have no valid excuse), a bacteria-infested kitchen counter could become a nasty killer. No doubt maids have saved many lives from bacterial infection. Everyone has a role. Some titles sound more prestigious than others, and the thought that those people matter more eventually creeps into our minds. It's in our nature to want to justify our self before others. I'm guilty. When you apply for a job, it's typically because it sounds cool. You envision yourself saying "I'm VP of Marketing" or whatever badge of honor your company gives you. When people ask me what I do now I say "I'm just your run-of-the-mill sales associate." I insult myself as I say what I do because I want to make fun of myself before anyone else does. Bad! That's bad! Because of this job I will never turn my nose up at anyone's title. If you're ashamed of your job, do not fear the haughty eyes of Annie. I work with a bunch of highly-educated girls at Anthropologie and I thoroughly enjoy their company. Do we want to work there forever? Naw. But we're building our wardrobe with our marvelous discount and (hopefully) making other people's days brighter. Your response to your job and to your coworkers can enliven the workplace. If you struggle with your title as I have, you have got to go listen to Dr. Keller. My ears were searching for a way to bleach out my human struggle for approval and these words were restorative.