Joy sneaks up on us – often in ways that we least expect. This happened to me recently while I was attending a strategic planning workshop. A large group was separated into three rooms – “leadership,” “supervisors,” and “everyone else.” I realized that in my current role I am solidly in the “everyone else” camp, and I am irrationally happy about it.
I spent 40 years in government – 35 of them at the local level – in a state of perpetual striving. I tried to make myself indispensable, reaching for assignments, promotions, and (if I am honest) recognition. Becoming Town Manager was a dream and also a logical next step. Once that goal was achieved, striving took the form of local, state, and national associations and initiatives. Even though I was certain it was time to retire last year, I wasn’t exactly ready. I didn’t know who I would be when I was no longer the Town Manager.
The big question is what to strive for now. Is there such as thing as a post-striving world? Will I be forced into dreaded self-reflection? After “retiring” I jumped right into a new job that allows me to work hard and connect with others, and you would think that there is little striving required. And yet.
One definition of striving is to devote serious effort or energy to something. Differentiating between striving for attention or recognition, and striving for connection, wisdom, and purpose is my new goal. Let’s face it, I am incapable of doing a job without devoting serious effort and energy, so I am all in.
While I was procrastinating drafting this post, I attended a professional development workshop that involved more self-reflection and sharing with strangers (sigh). It turned out to be a fantastic and moving experience. At the end, one of my partners gave me a note that says “Wanting to strive to do more and be better is not bossy or pushy.” Well said, friend.
How about you? Are you locked in striver mode? Do you dream of joining the “everyone else” club? Is there such as thing as a post-striving world?
Let’s practice – telling ourselves we can stop striving for the wrong reasons, and hoping it’s true.
Very Kate 