In the accounting industry, we’re taught early on that our jobs are really important…that they matter. Our ethics matter. Our choices matter. We’re protecting the public interest. We’re told to take our work seriously. And we do. Our industry attracts people who are dependable, conscientious and trustworthy. We attract high achievers.
But, do you ever find yourself going too far with how serious you view what you do, your job, and what you have on your to-do list?
In my own experience, when I take it too far and see myself and my work as overly important, I rob myself of the power of now. When I take myself too seriously, I can’t be present in the moment. It’s hard for me to connect in human-to-human interactions. In fact, I can’t even enjoy what I’m doing one bit. I’ve stripped myself of all joy. And that’s a shame because life can only be lived in the now. Joy lives in the now.
What can you do when you notice you’re moving too high up the “serious meter†– to the point where it’s stealing the joy out of your life?
First, and most important, remind yourself that you aren’t perfect. Nobody is. Nobody has everything totally under control at all times. That’s impossible because so much of what happens in this world lies outside of our control. I bet you know that, deep down. You may just need to remind yourself from time to time.
Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes. As more than one accountant has told me, “Nobody dies when we make an error.†When you give yourself permission to make mistakes, you can accept your imperfect self and be present to and for your own journey.
Need some ideas on what to do instead of taking yourself so seriously? How about one (or all!) of these?
See you in the DoP (Dimension of Possible),
“Life is too important to be taken seriously.†– Oscar Wilde
