Power of Purpose
Code School Book — Morgan Lopes and Tim Whitacre (28/30)
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I know we like to have our cake and eat it too, but some expectations borderline on wanting the entire bakery.
For centuries, individuals performed work out of need and obligation. It was simpler. Problems existed within communities, so able-bodied people rallied together to address them. As civilizations became more advanced, so too did our expectations of work. Today, we expect much more from our jobs. Beyond merely paying the bills, we desire enjoyment, comradery, and even purpose.
Entry level candidates today want to make top-of-market compensation, collaborate with excellent people, have a positive environment, tackle meaningful challenges, and feel personally fulfilled. Wow, that’s a lot to ask on day one of a new career. I know we like to “have our cake and eat it too,” but some expectations borderline on wanting the entire bakery.
Whether in work, relationships, or decisions, we have to be careful pursuing an idealized option. Growing up, my friend had a healthy perspective about expectations. They would share that everyone wants a perfect fit but we miss the obvious problem: you are not perfect. We create a glamorized picture, our ideal, without recognizing that our flaws and shortcomings will likely tarnish it. I don’t suggest lowering your standards. Instead, we as a community should broaden our perspective to account for the reality that we too are in process.
The more expectations you place upon yourself and your career, the harder and longer you should expect to work for them. Getting what we want from work takes time. It rarely happens quickly and doesn’t appear all at once. Work is not a treasure hunt. It’s more like a whirlpool.
Growing up, I remember summers in a friend’s pool. It was a large, round pool but shallow enough for everyone to touch the ground with their heads above water. Most days, the water was relatively calm. From time to time however, we would all start walking in the same direction around the edges of the pool. With each lap around, the water would move faster. Eventually we’d be forced into a run. Any stray toys or floats would be pulled toward the center. If we kept at it long enough, the strength of the water became too much, pulling our feet off the bottom and spiraling our bodies inward as well.
Often, a career in tech works much the same way as that whirlpool. At first, it’s nothing impressive. Each early step is heavy and hard- won. Slowly things begin to pick up speed but if we let up, the energy would dissipate immediately. Somewhere along the way, things change. It’s not a particular moment as much as a subtle sensation. With enough consistent movement, the water starts shifting in our favor. The steps become less burdensome, almost easier. We begin feeling a force pushing against our back, propelling us forward.
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