First, WOW this feels like a LOADED question: what am I supposed to be in love with about work? But when I look back in time – before work was essentially enforced as a means to survival – I can see an answer: being with my gifts and becoming excellent at them, the opportunity to contribute, solving challenges, making amazing things happen with others.

So what’s the right amount of work to be able to fall more deeply in love with THAT? …given that I do also have to do it within a market economy that demands I come up with money, and am doing all of this in the one life I am conscious of having these problems in on this plane.

I like this question because it feels like an edge

I want to be able to feel drawn TO work by interest and healthy challenge, not repelled FROM it by exhaustion and burnout. For me, that’s about 30-35 hours a week of working. I’m able to restore, have time to be a contributor in my communities, and can learn AND deliver with gusto.

I know I can do 50-60 hours a week, I’ve done that for several cycles of my life when it was required to make things happen: during school, creating a giant art project, starting my practice here. But it’s not the right amount long term and ultimately takes away from my ability to feel connected to the work and everything else. 

40-45 hours a week is my current total and I’m adjusting to finding balance within this new swell. I trust it is available, or that I will adapt if it’s not.

What do you think? What is YOUR amount of work to fall in love with the work? 

Finally – thanks to the writers of the book Coaching for Transformation for the provocation. I’m currently training in order to certify with the ICF and it’s been a fun learning journey!