Do the work

How do we do the work?

Do we do it mindfully?
Do we do it frantically?
Do we do it with our eyes closed?
Do we do it mid-panic attack?

Do we do it as we smile, or as we grimace, as we grit our teeth while on mute?
As we wring our hands beneath our desks?

Do we do it with clear eyes and a full heart?

Do we do it tentatively, a step at a time, knowing we know how to do it but afraid, somehow, of knocking it right out of the park?

Do we do it lovingly, because it matters, because no one else can do it like we do?

I have done the work all these ways at alternating times. 

I have done the work and needed to take a step back from the work to take a walk because I was freaking out about how much was at stake.

I have done the work while oozing gratitude from every pore, knowing my squad was moving in the right direction, even when I couldn’t see the end goal.

I have done the work without having instructions, without having enough information, in the midst of the most ambiguous of projects. 

I have done the work while simultaneously learning the skills to do the work in the first place, independently, with the help of the internet.

I have done the work while others have wasted time talking about how they were almost hired for my job, but weren't, because I "looked the part" (what he actually said was "she's obviously better looking than me, so she got the job"). I had this said to my face in the middle of a crowded room of agents I had never met, in front of my boss and my boss' boss.

I remember.

And still, I did the work. 
I continue to do the work. 
Because that is who I am. 

I let the work speak volumes. 
It has a lot to say.

Whether we are fueled by it, whether it scares us, or whether it's a frankly thankless task, we do the work.

If someone was on my squad, they did the work.
If they were not doing the work, or not doing the right work, we noticed.

Any reason we come up with for not doing the work is just an excuse.
So, let those go.
Yes, let all of them go. 
That one, too. Especially that one.

Then, keep moving.
You're going the right way.


And if you’re not, all that means is you haven’t #yet. Let’s chat.