This is all going to end.

I know this doesn’t come as news to most of you, but everything we have is quite transient.  Possessions (think hurricane/fire/tornado), health, and even life itself.  There are two ways to approach this fact.  You can live in fear of losing it all, or you can really appreciate what you’ve got.  Including your job.

I’m a consultant.  I have a lot of jobs (serially).  I really like being a consultant.  I like what I get to do and I like the people I meet.  I love that I learn something every single day that I’m working as a consultant.  I especially like the variety.  Ironically, I don’t like leaving my jobs, though, when they are done.  I miss the routine, the company and especially the people.

I started a new gig this week, and today, on my second day, I walked in resolved to appreciate every single day.   I want to appreciate the ups and downs, the people, the tasks, the challenges, and the things that I learn.  The thing is, I know that this will come to an end.  It might be at the end of the contract time frame established up front, or I might get extended, or it might be earlier.  I know, for sure, however, that it will end.  I want to be aware of that every day so that I can appreciate what I’ve got.  I think it will help with the frustrating parts, but I also think it will help with the end—when I leave I know I will have pushed this experience to its limit.  No matter when that is.

How about you?  You’re not a consultant, so it doesn’t apply to you, you say.  I beg to differ.  The job you’re in now will end.  It might be when you retire.  It might be tomorrow.  It might be when you get a new job or a promotion. You might know the end is coming or you might get called into a meeting and get told.  I know someone who once showed up at work and there was a sign on the door.  It will end.

What Would You Miss?

Do you appreciate what you have?  Do you appreciate the people who you work with and see every day?  Do you appreciate the facilities?  The amenities?  The inside jokes?  The get-togethers?  The things that you learn?  If it ended tomorrow, what would you miss?  If you knew when it was going to end, what would you be doing between now and then?  What is your work ‘bucket list’ to do before you leave?

How about getting started on it? (Just in case:-))