don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Nobody can or ought to recommend goals for someone else but, what the heck, I'll make an exception. I have in mind a goal that warrants this exception. This goal, it seems to me, is in the best interests of everyone, and it is compatible with all other existing goals you might harbor, provided they are of a sensible nature! Therefore, to paraphrase the refrain made famous by the old "Mission Impossible" television series, "Your new goal, if you choose to accept it, is to develop a plan that will allow you to someday achieve a state of wellness at your workplace."

What would such a state of workplace wellness look and feel like? Workplace wellness (henceforth "WW") refers to an employment situation wherein: 1) you enjoy doing what you are paid to do; 2) you are so enamored with your work that you would keep doing it in some fashion even if payments were not forthcoming; 3) you are able to display your talents doing what you do for a living; 4) both the process and outcome of your work is a source of satisfaction; and 5) your work skills qualify you, at least in your own estimation, as a "lifestyle artist."

OK, so I admit that there is not much WW to be found anywhere, but don't write off my goal idea as impractical, unlikely and even unimaginable, at least not yet. Let me tell you a bit more about it.

C.W. Metcalf, a noted humor and play workshop leader and co-author of the best-seller Lighten Up, tells a story about Sylvie, a lady of 101 years. While having a chat one day, Sylvie mentioned that she loved to dance. "Dance?" exclaimed C.W., "Why Sylvie, you can hardly walk!" Sylvie then stood up and proceeded to move her arms and head, very slowly (Sylvie's hips might have moved a bit, too, but C.W. couldn't be sure.) Sylvie said: "I know it doesn't look like much on the outside, but I'm tearing the place apart on the inside."

That's what it's like to experience WW! The goal of WW is achieved when you are "tearing the place apart on the inside," regardless of how it might look on the outside in the course of doing whatever it is you do for a living.

One sure and certain way to dramatically improve your prospects to achieve the WW goal is to go to work for yourself. Many have done this in recent years, not always for reasons other than necessity (they lost their jobs or couldn't stand the ones they had any longer!)

Those who hit upon the right product or service consistent with their interests and talents, and the right way to market that product or service, find they are able to "tear the place apart" day in and day out. While nobody can tell you HOW to achieve WW, it is something to keep in mind.

Vast numbers of citizens are bored with their work, or worse, hate their jobs. Most, I would guess, do not have nearly as much fun as they could, if work were more consistent with their talents, passions and ideals. Yet, because they are overwhelmed with negative work, stress, family and other obligations, the goal of WW seems unthinkable.

That is why everyone might benefit from having a WW goal. With this in mind, insights and ideas of all kinds will occur to you regularly about how, at some future point in life, working might be made a pleasure and then some.

Maybe this goal would seem more feasible if we had organizations that valued WW. Such organizations might be considered "Well-Companies." That's a topic I'll address tomorrow.

Be well, enjoy and look on the bright side-maybe there is a WW in your future.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of adaptations and challenges. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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