Why so serious?
I have a saying I like to repeat where I work: “Even if we do our jobs poorly, nobody’s gonna die.”
Needless to say, I obviously don’t work in healthcare or transportation, so if you work in those
industries, please don’t ever use that phrase at work. But, here’s my point: even if you do very serious
work, it’s okay to lighten up at work.
This is my theory. The longer we do the same things at work, every day, the same way, same people
around us, same office, blah, blah, blah, the less it takes to really set us off. The less it takes to trigger
and emotional reaction. Because the longer we do the same things the same way, all of the things that
are the same every day just become a blur, background nose, things we take for granted. Then, when
something changes (new co-workers, new process, new boss), we flip out because “Things are always
changing around here!”. They really aren’t – it’s just that you can’t adjust to the changes that are
naturally happening as the organization evolves and adapts.
So let’s talk about how you can get out of your own way.
1. Be grateful. Be thankful that you have a job about which you can complain (please note that I
took great pains to avoid ending that sentence with a preposition). I am not saying that there
aren’t legitimately bad things going on at your workplace; I am just asking to take a moment to
thank your lucky starts that you are employed during these tough times. Then, you should
2. Be happy. I believe that we should all be happy at work, and I really mean that. So if you aren’t
really happy at work, you have two choices: to be happy where you are now, or to be happy
somewhere else. The choice you cannot select is to be unhappy and stay around. It is not fair to
the people who enjoy working where you work if you continue to spit in the punch bowl at the
party, and expect no one to say anything. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not fair to you.
3. Don’t worry, be happy. It’s important to relax and realize that life is not made up of headline
moments; it’s made up of lots of little day-by-day things that add u to a lot of years. So enjoy the
little moments, because they are all there really is. And don’t let you bring you down. I still
remember the letter Frank Sinatra wrote to George Michael back in 1990 when George was
moaning to the press about the weight of stardom. In part, Frank wrote:
“Come on George. Loosen up. Swing, man. Dust off those gossamer wings and fly
yourself to the moon of your choice and be grateful to carry the baggage we've all had
to carry since those lean nights of sleeping on buses and helping the driver unload the
instruments."
Well said, Mr. Sinatra, well said. Let’s all take his advice. Have a great day!