There are many ways to live life. Some people do their best to try to follow the marvellous work approach. They aim to encourage people during their time on the planet.
Some people take another route. For whatever reason, they follow the moaning approach. The problem is that this does not necessarily help other people.
Different people follow these routes in different ways. Let’s explore how they may translate these into action.
The Marvellous Work Approach
People who follow this approach have a positive attitude to life. They often build on their professional strengths and aim to do work that helps people or the planet.
There are many models for doing such work. One approach involves people taking the following steps. They develop a sense of mission, do the necessary maintenance and then do their best to perform marvellous work.
Some people aim to do practical work that provides people with the basic materials for life. They help people to have access to food, shelter, health care, education and other things to maintain a good quality of life.
Some people sometimes go further when pursuing a particular mission. They maintain high professional standards and do their best to achieve the picture of success.
People who take this approach do not moan. They often use difficulties as a springboard for building on what they do best and doing marvellous work. Let’s look at some examples.
Viktor Frankl translated his experiences in the concentration camps into writing Man’s Search For Meaning. Maya Angelou translated the challenges she experienced into writing inspiring poems and books.
Chris Hoy translated his diagnosis of prostate cancer into campaigns to encourage men to get early screening. Malala Yousafzai responded to death threats by continuing to campaign for education for girls.
Ellen MacArthur became famous for round-the-world yachting adventures but became increasingly aware of environmental challenges. She now does pioneering work that shows the benefits of the Circular Economy.
The Moaning Approach
Some people choose to follow the moaning approach. Whatever the motivation, however, they seem addicted to complaining. The problem is that this does not necessarily help other people.
Different people follow this approach for different reasons. Some may have legitimate concerns, such as not having access to the basic materials for life.
Some people, however, may choose not to take responsibility. They refuse to focus on what they can control and describe all the things they can’t control. Some only seem to be happy when they are complaining.
Some take another approach. They respond to situations by developing a sense of mission. This can be something simple – such as caring for their loved ones. Sometimes it can be something greater.
Such people then aim: a) to focus on the mission; b) to do the necessary maintenance; c) to sometimes, if it is possible, do their best to do marvellous work.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a specific activity where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tacking the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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