When we talk about work, we use words like jobs and chores.
Typically, jobs are paid, and chores are unpaid activities for maintaining our homes.
Within jobs and chores, we have duties, tasks and assignments.
The tasks are ongoing work.
Duties imply work are obligated to perform.
And assignments represent a task that is given to us and time bound.
In all cases, there is typically a negative association.
When we say them, we imply we need to do something we don’t want to do.
Emphasizing the burdens in life.
We want others to know we are “working hard”.
Or “so busy”.
We are fulfilling our duties and obligations.
My Perspective
I think it’s time for us to move past the negative responses.
Stop complaining as it reinforces the negative aspects.
Instead start finding ways to highlight what we enjoy in in these roles.
This begins with the words we choose and the culture we create around us.
When people ask, “how was your day?”
We need to stop providing answers like “crazy busy”.
Or “ugh”. Accompanied by an eye roll.
Instead, we could say, “Busy, but I got to work on a project that was really interesting”.
Or, better yet, “Awesome. I worked on this project that had me so engaged that time flew by.”
Your Turn
How do you see people in your circles talking about their job and/or chores at home?
Is the tone more negative or positive?
What could you do to shift the tone of the conversation?