The By-Product of Work

At this stage in development (working diligently towards the first private beta of a new product) it is easy to get anxious.  A ton of things have been accomplished.  A huge pile of work remains.  Excitement is growing.  Life is in fast-forward at the same time as time is ticking painfully slow to the next milestone.   The finished product is on our minds, while the activity on a daily basis is…daily.

I ran across a quote today that might shed some light on a different approach:

Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness.
  – Robertson Davies

Just like happiness is not a goal, not something you find as a direct result of effort, so is contentment or peace.  You can’t demand to be satisfied with things in their various stages of incomplete.  All you can do is work, day after day, towards the goal.  Happiness, as they say, is a by-product.  A by-product of work.

The Best Job Ever!

Some girlfriends and I slipped away last weekend to a retreat where we could visit, reflect, and relax (and find some snow falling if you can believe it…in late April!).  At the retreat we played some games and in one a friend asked me what my favorite job of all time had been and why.  Without thinking about it much, I mentioned working for a software start-up early in my career.  There were tons of things I didn’t know, we weren’t terribly successful (all things considered and by benchmark standards), but, man, I will tell you that we had a lot of fun.  I don’t think I haven’t laughed so hard at work since those days.  Thanks to every colleague and customer who made that experience possible!

It could have been because the group and company was small (see a great post by the good folks at 37Signals about the concept of ten-groups, very provocative and right on the money in my experience).  It could have been because we were making creative software and selling it to schools.  It could be because I was learning so much and having fun stretching my professional muscles.  In any case, that is the position that came to mind.

Later, I was reflecting on my answer and thought that what I am doing with Creative Outlet Labs might be my favorite job ever.  After all, I am posting an article to the blog at 10:25 PM!  I am back learning, creating, and risking in new ways.  I so enjoy the creative process that I don’t consider it work and I have literally paid (instead of been paid) for the privilege of being involved in an inspiring project like this.  By all accounts and measures, this might be my favorite job.  The “job” of an entrepreneur.

I think the only job I would like more is to be the leader of a successful business.  I feel like I am on my way there and can’t wait and will someday soon be honored to invite a whole new group of customers (you!) to be a part of this journey.  Sign up for the beta to be a part.

What has been your all-time favorite job and why? 

A Beautiful Day

Today was a remarkably beautiful day in Portland, Oregon.  After several weeks of overcast coldness, Spring finally emerged into bright sunshine!  After dinner and gelato with the family, came back to alpha test and work on more details about Remarkable.

I ran across a quote today attributed to James Barrie that summed up today…”Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.” 

I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying this phase of the process.  And I know it will be even more fun to have other people using the application to collaborate and celebrate in new ways.  The application is turning out to be very cool, the problems we are finding seem solvable, and I am reminded every day of the importance of what we are building.  It really isn’t work at all!

Working Like a Dog

I read an interesting article in O Magazine the other day that I have been thinking about.  It said that in order to avoid burn-out and enjoy success we should all “work like dogs.”  Said another, way if a dog is good at retrieving, he should retrieve.  If she is good at distinguishing things with our sense of smell, that is what she should do.  Bloodhounds shouldn’t worry about trying to be good pointers or cattle herders.  Dogs play to their strengths, and so should we.

 I loved Marcus Buckingham’s book on the topic called Now, Discover Your Strengths.  I have heard others like StrengthsFinder 2.0 for the same reason.  Both include an online survey that identifies your strengths (under the supposition that things you enjoy and are confident in are probably your strengths).  I believe you will find it very interesting!

 The development team for Remarkable has taken this and found a lot of complementary and diverse strengths.  I know it will lead to some great collaboration and in the end, a stronger business and product!