Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, a technology startup funding company, wrote an essay a few years ago entitled, “You Weren’t Meant to Have a Boss.” One particular paragraph really stuck out to me, where he says:
I was in Africa last year and saw a lot of animals in the wild that I’d only seen in zoos before. It was remarkable how different they seemed. Particularly lions. Lions in the wild seem about ten times more alive. They’re like different animals. I suspect that working for oneself feels better to humans in much the same way that living in the wild must feel better to a wide-ranging predator like a lion. Life in a zoo is easier, but it isn’t the life they were designed for.
There are many days where I feel like a caged lion. Sitting at my desk, staring into the abyss of my computer screen, working on projects for someone else, needing permission to take any time off from someone else, and generally not having a sense of purpose in what I do. I am a member of cubicle nation. A resident on the cubicle farm.
It’s not that being an employee is a bad thing – I just often feel as though its not where I should be. Perhaps this will change in the near future; perhaps not. In the meantime, well, at anytime really, I know what sits before me: learning to be content in my circumstances, rather than being content with my circumstances.
Unlike lions and other creatures, we as human beings have reason, intellect, and the ability to make a conscious choice. I have chosen to live my life for God, not myself. This means I am in the midst of a story, a plan, that is for ultimate good – the glory of God, my good, and the good of others. Therefore, I can experience goodness in the midst of suffering (or perceived suffering). I can experience life. The grass is just as green on this side as it is on the other side.
Sounds like a cop out to me. Determination and telling fear to go f itself is the answer. Quit living in the shadows. Better to burn out then fade away.
Tank, thanks for your comment. I agree with you, but not fully. Not trying to live in the shadows. Rather, trying to encourage folks to not miss the message in their circumstances. Lots of people like to say, “Everything happens for a reason.” Yet they never try to understand what the reason is or could be. There is often an important lesson to be learned from our circumstances, especially the difficult and challenging ones. Determination and a fighting attitude are indeed important and helpful. I am not advocating for settling or becoming complacent. Rather, take a moment and consider what your circumstance or situation might have for you. Catch the message before trying to move on.
Great post Aaron. I hear you on the frustrations of living in cubicle nation. I have also worked over the years to be content with the situation as it is, while keeping my mind open for what might be possible in the future.
Like the lion analogy.