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Constraints and Choices
On choosing work that matters to you
I recently read an article by James Clear on the concept of The Four Burners Theory. The author concludes that everyone must face a difficult truth: there are constraints on your time and energy. Every choice has a cost.
While there’s more to life than our work, it also happens to consume an inordinate amount of time. The average American will spend a vast majority of their waking hours at work. Work schedules over the pandemic extended and increased working hours by up to 40%.
Since time is a precious, finite resource; choosing what to work on is a meeting of one’s needs, capacity and ethics. Though many times, there seems to be a conflict between doing what one loves and what pays the bills.
Even the best work can feel disappointing at times.
Even if you check “all the boxes” — say it’s a fulfilling, exciting and well-paid job, the results of your effort might not be tangible or immediate. Perhaps there’s criticism or unintentional negative externalities. Outcomes are out of our control even with the best intentions.
