The other day, I watched a group of disheveled and obviously disgruntled construction workers performing their perfunctory tasks: their efforts were without ambition or, could one say, love. Should not our endeavors be stimulating and enjoyable? The answer from the vast herds of humanity is, “no!” This led me to reflect on the idea of work. What is a job and what does it entail? A job, essentially, is a contract between two individuals; a business may be one of these entities: in the United States, for example, a company is considered a person. (1) This, unfortunately, is a relationship that many people do not want, once they realize the truth.
In my opinion, this is especially true of young people. Many senior high school students are under the romantic assumption that life is a predetermined path that has its initial tranche of tests and pain leading, ultimately, to a state of paradise and tranquility. This is rather sadly, far, far from the truth. What awaits is even more pain and an additional dose of ennui.
The reality that you are responsible for your life and not others now, also, blunders into view. Many of the youth of our world are ill-prepared to face the vagaries of a life that must, by the very definition of economic reality, constitute effort and lots of it: few if any at graduation have ever faced a “boss,” that individual, constructed during the Industrial Revolution, who extracts the maximum profit out of your struggles. This realization has produced some interesting consequences. (2)
Where should the gauntlet of responsibility fall for this unpreparedness? It lies solidly at the feet of the misguided and loving parents and grandparents who have raised these children. The teachers are secondary players (3) in this tragedy (The critical thinking skills and the knowledge of the world that students’ possess, however, I would attribute mostly to these hard-working and underappreciated, individuals). “How has this happened?” you may ask. The simple answer is technology.
Most parents do not understand this digital generation: yes they (we) can consider ourselves conversant with the technology (I have a Facebook account, as I am sure you do, as well) but I cannot understand a child committing suicide because of disparaging comments placed online. (4) This is also true of employment. If you have never been subjected to getting up early, getting very dirty and getting screamed at, it is very easy to fool yourself with what working life really is. In the “real world,” it is difficult, competitive and filled with “fools,” many of whom are your managers or owners. Marx (1818-1883) calls this unfortunate realization “alienation.” This phenomenon is when the worker or employee loses the ability to determine his life’s destiny and is deprived of the right to feel responsible for his actions: sound familiar?
In spite of this, I am greatly encouraged by many in our community, both young and not-so-young, with or not-yet-with children, who are part of the “new awakening” in education. They know that good marks and stable employment are nice but not necessarily the secrets to personal happiness. People are very smart and, though it has taken a little time, the new generation, the post-Millennials, know the model: education + experience = expertise.
Those who are willing to affect a “little hustle” and put in their requisite 10,000 hours to gain experience, (5) and thus expertise will gain a career and will be free to determine their own employment footprint. Those that seek to appease the older generation because of money or a misplaced sense of familial piety will invariably be malcontented and left behind in a quickly moving society. The choice lies with the self.
The solution to this educational dilemma is that we must realize, as parents, that a higher education, arguably, does not guarantee employment: university is not a job-training institute. Additionally: the reputation of a tertiary institution does not necessarily increase the graduate’s initial salary, excluding certain unique professions. What does make a person “successful” is passion and commitment.
The eminent educator Sir Ken Robinson (b. 1950) leaves us with a thought: The fact is that given the challenges we face, education doesn’t need to be reformed — it needs to be transformed. The key to this transformation is not to standardize education, but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions. (5) Parts of this article were first published in May 2015.
A closing thought: During our daily travails, we often forget that life is a lot of fun, along with its complement of frustration – it is not all suffering. The real secret is to find that elusive “calling.” This is a pursuit that ignites all your intellectual and psychological passion and creativity. This world really exists. But, except for the storied few, it requires a true effort to realize. My grandfather, after many years of study and testing, eventually become a respected mariner. It is the same for all of us. This is not a bad thing. An element of caution is, of course, always required. As the old saying goes, “We reap what we sow: choose what you nourish carefully.”
To sum up: This week, we spoke about work and how everyone can usually achieve their career through work, though failure can occur.
A small joke: A man went to see his doctor. “Doctor,” he said, “I just can’t relax!” “You should do what I do,” said the physician. “When I get home, I take off my coat, put on my slippers, sit in my big armchair and read a good book.” The patient thanked the doctor and left the clinic. In several weeks the man returned. “Thank you Doctor!” he exclaimed profusely. “What a great suggestion: I feel like a new man and you have such a beautiful house!”
Just for fun – Martha Argerich (2017) – Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 – Vienna Philharmonic
This week, on your enjoyable walk, please reflect on how you view work and your career.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: An untested and untried life leaves little for future generations to reflect on. The risk takers, at all levels, force us to think and in doing so push us to still higher levels of discovery and accomplishment.
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