A Student Again: Changing One Thing Can Change Everything

The longer I explore the relationship between the work people do for a living and the work they do for love, the more I'm convinced that having a passion or practicing an art revitalizes every area of life. This seems to be true even when a life area such as the day job or a certain relationship is causing an unhealthy level of stress. I've noticed whenever I'm deeply involved in a group or project such as the class I'm currently taking, it's easier to handle stress all around. Why is this?

Maybe it's partly because having deep connections with people and activities outside work means that all your eggs aren't in one basket. Losing your job would create serious financial issues but you wouldn't lose all your friends or social support. I've noticed that friends who have serious off-hours pursuits don't tend to keep a death grip on the job or be thrown into a spin by small setbacks. In a sense, being involved in several non-work activities is like getting booster shots; you're more resistant to the effects of workaholism, office drama, or the fear that accompanies hard times and downsizing.

Perhaps it's also because mastering a skill in something you love gives you the confidence you need to tackle less pleasant or more difficult tasks at work. Sometimes just practicing the self-discipline necessary to reach a skill level where you can do the fun stuff (like playing dance tunes as opposed to scales and exercises!) gives you a greater tolerance for routine but necessary work.

As a student 30 years ago I worked in an electronics testing plant one summer. The assembly line work was repetitive and often boring. I dreamed of the day I'd graduate and become a hotshot reporter or publicist; I'd never have a dull moment as I chased the latest story or big account. To pass the time I chatted up some of my coworkers.

It turned out that one of them, a recently arrived refugee, had been a violin maker and repairman back in Poland. As I watched him I noticed that he didn't seem frustrated or bored even though factory work was well below his abilities. He tested batteries and assembled boards with the same focused attention that he would have used when polishing his instruments. Several years later I heard from a former coworker that this man had eventually opened his own stringed instrument repair shop. Maybe one reason for his success was the patience and attention to detail he'd practiced during his time at the electronics plant.

When you're immersed in hard times at work it can be tempting to pull back on pleasurable pursuits and focus only on keeping your head above water at work. However, if you resist the pressure to give up your passions, you'll be happier and healthier in the long run.