[This series of posts on “the problem of work” supports a new program called the Existential Wellness Coach Certificate Program that launches February, 2024. Part of the program are 12 FREE webinars that you can attend in March, April and May of 2024. To learn more about the program, please visit here. For an early bird special price on the program, please visit here. To learn more about the webinars and to register, please visit here.]

In this post, I wanted you to hear from clients and study group participants who have actively used the incantation “I am doing my work” to help them get on with their work.

Each time you use it, you would insert a new phrase that names some work that you hope to accomplish. There is great centering power in mindfully naming your work, as, by naming it, you at once fortify your intentions and create a simple plan. Breathing-and-thinking “(I am cleaning) (the closet),” “(I am writing) (my novel),” or (“I am paying” “the bills”) has a calming effect, even as it calls you to action.

Sandy explained:

“I think that naming your work is an essential step in order to gain clarity and have a precise vision of what you want to do. For me, I found it a bit difficult because I have a hard time narrowing things down and pinpointing one thing at a time to deal with. Today, it was about finding compelling people to interview for my podcast. I am in the process of finding, and asking, people to interview and that is at the forefront of my mind.

“First, I used the incantation ‘I expect nothing’ to release expectations. Otherwise I would have approached ‘naming my work’ with too much fierceness–an ‘I WILL accomplish this, damn it!’ approach. By first releasing my expectations, I found myself growing calmer and much more willing to focus on how I was going to get this done, as opposed to whether or not people were going to accept my interview request. Then I used “(I am ready) (to call)” as my work incantation. And I felt ready!  I made one call after another without procrastinating or feeling any stress at all.”

Kristen shared:

“I think it’s important to put one’s intentions ‘out there.’  It’s also frightening; no more pussyfooting around. I’ve been using the work incantation to name my writing, my desire to stay calm, and my efforts at recovering my creativity. I’m in the beginning stages of all these things and I need some self-encouragement. I can see also not letting people’s opinions bug me so much as work that I might want to consciously name, since I get very down after critique sessions at my writers’ group.

“I’m not at all accustomed to carefully naming my work. In fact, I’m finding that I’m very squeamish. I’m afraid that instead of bringing me to my work, I’ll get bombarded with all kinds of things that’ll try to keep me from it, almost like the universe is testing me and ‘daring’ me to slog through the garbage in my mind before I can get to my work. I guess I’m expecting the universe to teach me how to swim by tossing me into rough water, so I try to keep my intentions secret so that the universe can’t torture me. It sounds silly, but there it is. Maybe one of the next things I’ll name as my work is to get rid of those destructive expectations. I’m sure that they are holding me back.”

From Theresa:

“This incantation places a greater burden on the individual than the other incantations, making it the most difficult incantation and also the most exciting one. At first, I found myself naming tasks that were far too daunting. I began to see that I set myself up for failure by doing exactly this all the time. This afternoon, when I returned to my practice, I tried to name little ‘bites’ of something rather than the whole meal. I really like the ‘bites’ idea. I’m going to try to keep the work small, whether it’s something I want to do or something I dread doing.”

Lori shared:

“I’m finding the work incantation excellent. It’s very helpful to focus and make a conscious decision about what I intend to do. It seems so much better than just spreading energy out there in scatter-shot fashion. Since I’m dealing with depression, anxiety, and now a possible medical threat, I choose: (I am centered) (whole, well and strong). I’d like to name work like writing, journaling, calligraphy, poetry, or gardening, but right now I think I need to use this step more as a coping strategy. I’ve used other practices to help with my exhaustion and depression but this is more specific and, I think, better.”

From Deb:

“The idea of naming my work stopped me at first. I didn’t know what to say. Your suggestions really helped me put the words together. It also showed me how flexible I could be with the phrases I choose. I’ve tried ‘I am rested and creative’ and ‘I am recovering my health and creativity.’ I have been sick lately and need to get my rest and still create my art pieces. I’ve also tried ‘I am calm and strong,’ ‘I can pace myself,’ and ‘I can be calm and creative.’  At first it made me nervous to have to ‘name work’ that sounded so serious and difficult. Then, with your examples, I saw I could choose phrases that actually made it easier for me to get through the day.”

Naming work is not the same as making work for yourself!  It is a way to guide yourself calmly and peacefully through the day as you intentionally name how you want to feel and what you’d like to tackle. As Deb learned, using this incantation makes it easier to get through the day, not harder, even though it is a “work naming” incantation.

Maybe your work is stressful. Maybe your work is crazy-making. Then the work that you’d name when employing our work incantation might be “(I am growing calm) (despite everything)” or “(I am looking) (for a new job).”  This incantation isn’t just for handling the next task on your to-do list. It can be an integral part of the process of living the life you intend to lead and doing the work that supports that intention.

We’ve looked at some of the challenges that “work” presents us with. An existential wellness coach is alert to these challenges and helps her clients come up with their best tactics, strategies, and solutions for dealing with “the problem of work.” This is a taxing problem; this is a vexing problem; and for many people, this is a never-ending problem. Existential wellness coaches stand ready to help.

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