Work IS My Hobby

As I was setting up my Blogger Profile I found myself struggling to 'define' myself in words. Obviously my family, immediate and extended, came to mind. And my closest friends, several of whom are just like family. But as I went to fill in interests, hum . . . that was a little tougher. Reading and sleeping are certainly my most coveted activities. But was that it? Didn't I have a REAL hobby - something I truly enjoyed? My first thought was "Hobby? Who has time for a hobby?"

My husband has many hobbies. He's a sports nut and an Internet gamer. He'll play or watch any sport - real or fantasy (sometimes simultaneuosly on TV and the computer) and our entertainment center is full of Internet gaming accessories. Thankfully, most of these gadgets are now wireless! And I think he is most at peace when he sings.

But I was stumped. In the days that followed, I took an inventory of when I truly felt happiness, when I felt joy. I feel this ephemeras effect when:

I snuggle with my daughters in a warm cozy bed or rock them in our glider rocker when they first wake up. Yes, more of their bodies are hanging off my lap than on it but I don't care!

I take the first sip of a Dunkin' Donuts Mocha Latte (skim milk, 2 Splenda please) or savor a dark chocolate Ghiardelli square - the one with the minty creamy center.

My husband wakes me up in the morning by letting the subtle scent of his cologne waft to my nose or he puts his hands on my shoulders, draining the tension from my body.

The interesting outcome of this little study is that what most often brings me joy during the day is work. My hobby is work, a strange and relatively unsettling finding, but a finding nonetheless. Besides my family and the sweet taste of chocolate, working makes me happy.

I love to solve problems, utilize employees for their core skills, try new and thoughtful strategies, and optimize processes. When I meet a goal at work, I feel peace.

I'm sure a few of you find me truly pathetic at this point, but I think that is the most interesting thing about finding your passion. Once you know what makes you happy, it doesn't matter what others think of it. I have come to terms with the knowledge that my hobby has a desk, a PC, a Palm Pilot, and a Blackberry.

Just like any other hobby, I often daydream about it when I'm not doing it. I think about how I can solve a tough problem or get a troubled employee back on track.

Instead of reading Cosmo at home, I read the latest research from the American Journal of Public Health - and, yes, I force copies of good articles on others. I type up documents and prepare presentation material during the commercials of "Grey's Anatomy" and feel no guilt or remorse in doing such.

There is nothing like seeing your solution come to fruition, sitting back watching the success you have generated. The sweet taste of organizational harmony beats the pants off Hazelnut coffee any day.

Creating a workplace that provides a educational and emotional foundation for others is as important to me as sleeping late on a Saturday morning. Perhaps the best part is that I think you can have personal and professional joy at the same time. Feeling effective and productive at work makes me a happier mom, wife, daughter and friend.

Isn't that what a good hobby is for?

And, yes, I do other things, too. I visit the spa for some decadent indulgence as often as the budget allows. A hot stone massage is on the agenda next! I go out to dinner with my girlfriends and chat away for hours. I enjoy a fruity martini (or two) and then must immediately find my husband to share the effects with him!

Maybe a few years from now this will all change and my priorities will swing to other interests like rowing or scrapbooking. But for now, those things will have to wait until my laptop battery dies.

~L

Thanks to Bettyjo Bouchey for first admiting this to yourself and sharing with others. You are not alone!