29. We believe in nothing, Lebowski!

June 30, 2021

This week our heroes discuss the paths to becoming a work Nihilist. Work Nihilists are the folks that have given up all hope for change. They show up, do the bare minimum, then go home. Don't be a work nihilist.

We’ve all been there. After having to answer the same silly question again, or having to correct the same person again, or getting the same urgent request at the last minute again, you realize there is no point to any of this. Why are you even trying?

Before you go and pee on your co-worker’s rug, there is still hope.

The path to work nihilism is slow and painful. We all had grand plans and huge, ambitious goals for our careers. None of us set out to be a work nihilist. Like stress, it sneaks up on you. It happens slowly over years, then comes crashing down upon us all at once.

Luckily, we can keep an eye out for some signs that we’re heading towards the dark side and use a few techniques to remind us that what we’re doing really is important, and we are making an impact.

Topics:
• 04:24 – How do we end up as work nihilists?
• 06:32 – This doesn’t only happen in big corporate environments
• 07:46 – Sometimes work Nihilism comes and goes. Why?
• 08:15 – Knuckleheads gonna knucklehead
• 09:07 – Focus on the smaller things you can control
• 10:36 – Knuckleheadednesss is a group affliction
• 11:45 – Try to divide and conquer to change a culture
• 15:13 – Write down all your accomplishments that day to motivate you
• 21:31 – Some things to look out for
• 25:48 – What can we learn from The Borg?
• 30:03 – When you start to ask “What’s the point of all this?”
• 35:25 – What can we delegate so we can focus on what we love?

Helpful Links:
My political awakening | I know I’ve changed
We believe in nothing, Lebowski!
On TikTok, Grimes Pitches Fully Automated Luxury Communism

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