Simone Stolzoff, author of "The Good Enough Job," shares insights on reclaiming life from work and finding balance in today’s demanding job landscape. He challenges listeners to question their work identity and emphasizes the need to separate self-worth from careers. The conversation also touches on the importance of meaningful work and the perils of toxic work environments. Additionally, they delve into Apple’s mixed-reality headset, exploring how tech innovations might reshape our interaction with the world, all while keeping mental well-being at the forefront.
Diversify your identity by exploring non-work activities to find fulfillment and balance in life.
Challenge the notion of a 'perfect' job and define your own version of a 'good enough' job based on your values.
Companies should prioritize sustainable work by hiring enough staff, setting clear expectations, and creating a supportive work culture.
Deep dives
Diversifying identity and creating boundaries
Diversifying one's identity is crucial in finding fulfillment and balance in life. By exploring interests, hobbies, and passions outside of work, individuals can cultivate resilience and creativity. It is important to carve out dedicated time for non-work activities and establish boundaries to maintain work-life balance.
Recognizing the 'good enough' job
The concept of the 'good enough' job challenges the notion that work should be the sole source of meaning and fulfillment. It encourages individuals to define their own version of what is 'good enough' based on their values and aspirations. This mindset allows for a healthier relationship with work, focusing on what is necessary rather than constantly striving for more.
Systemic changes for sustainable work
Companies have a responsibility to design systems that prioritize sustainable and fulfilling work. This includes hiring enough staff to prevent overload, managers modeling desired behaviors, setting clear expectations, and creating a culture that supports work-life integration. Systemic changes can help shift the focus from overwork and productivity obsession towards a more balanced and healthier work environment.
Navigating productivity for sustainable work
Finding a balance between productivity and avoiding overload is essential. For individuals, being organized and using productivity tools can help create boundaries and prioritize tasks effectively. Recognizing skill as leverage allows individuals to have more control over their work and potentially craft it to align with their desired lifestyle. Balancing productivity with a focus on well-being and other life domains is key.
Apple's Experimental Mixed Reality Headset
Apple is set to release a mixed reality headset that deviates from their usual polished consumer products. The headset is still experimental, costs $3,000, and requires a separate battery pack. Apple's move into more experimental territory is a departure from their typical fully polished products like the iPhone and iPad. The mixed reality headset combines virtual reality and augmented reality, allowing virtual elements to be added to the real world. This move by Apple could lead to advancements in the technology and software needed for augmented reality, potentially revolutionizing the consumer technology space in the future.
The Augmented Reality Revolution
Augmented reality, enabled by devices like Apple's mixed reality headset, is an important development in the technology world that is not being widely discussed. The ability to seamlessly add virtual elements to the real world has the potential to disrupt industries that rely on screens and interfaces. Once augmented reality matures, there will be less need for separate screens, such as laptops and phones, as virtual screens can be placed anywhere in our field of vision. This disruption could have a significant impact on the consumer technology sector, and companies like Apple are at the forefront of this revolution.
Do you live to work or work to live? In this episode, Cal talks with author Simone Stolfzoff about his provocative new book, THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB. Cal then answers listener questions about escaping professional unhappiness, and then switches gears in the Something Interesting segment to talk about the critical technological breakthrough that not enough people yet are talking about.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
