My first and only open mic experience - TedxRVA

Speaking to a friend last week about work, something came over me that was strangely not my usual self. Maybe the inspiration came from TedX RVA Open Mic event I had attended a few days earlier, but when my thoughts on Job and Work became clearer while conversing, it seemed like a good idea to share that in front of 100 strangers at the next event. I despise public speaking and have avoided it at all cost whenever possible, so this was most surprising to me. But when talking myself out of it with a hundred reasons all started sounding like chickening out, there was no other way but just do it. 

So this is what I fit into 2 minutes last night and I am glad I did it. 

JOB vs WORK
TedX RVA Open Mic 2016
Topic: Artful

I have been JOBLESS for six years.
but my life has never been wealthier, or fuller.
and I think it’s because I found WORK.

do you have a JOB?
or do you have WORK?

I know we often interchange these two words,
but do you feel differently about them?

I DID.

When I had a JOB, I felt… OBLIGATION,        
obligation to PERFORM my DUTIES,
to do my best given circumstances, 
to play nice 
and not to rock the boat, too much.    

​
When I had a JOB, I operated on MOTIVATION,   
motivated by recognition,
money,
success, 
respect from my peers          


When a JOB was finished,
and there usually was an end point
whether it was physically or psychologically,         
I felt...  SATISFACTION. Sometimes.
​Other times, I felt REGRET or INDIFFERENCE.     

When I WORK, I feel…. PURPOSEFUL.
I feel EMPOWERED to CHANGE given circumstances,
and if I wanted to rock the boat,
it is MY BOAT for rocking,

                        
When I WORK, validation  from others mean very little.
and when success and recognition happen,
it’s always a surprise.
but LIFE IS FULL, of surprises.

​
When I WORK, there seems to be NO ENDING,
no map, or procedure, grade or performance review at the end.
but instead of SATISFACTION, my WORK gives me JOY.
And TERROR, too, but mostly JOY. I feel ALIVE.

I feel that I am ARTFULLY living, and ARTFULLY making a living.
I don’t have to be an artist - a writer, painter, dancer - for my JOB and WORK to be the same.

So I would like to ask you…

Do you have a JOB?
​OR do you have WORK?
​​