Blurring the Lines Between Work and Play

Let’s start with this. I really enjoy my work. I also really enjoy my interests outside of work. Therefore, if I enjoy both … is there a difference between the two? If there is, I’m having trouble seeing it. For me, at least, both areas must be stimulating. I have to say that I may be more fortunate than most.

I’m semi-retired so my traditional work day is not defined by set hours that are dedicated to … work. My time is a blend of both business and pleasure. On the other hand, all seven days of the week are structured in this same manner. My hours are typically 2 AM to 3 PM Monday through Sunday. Yeah … I’m a bit of an oddball.

I have always had a pretty insatiable appetite for learning new things. I particularly like the challenge of learning. It’s part of stretching my abilities and my capabilities. Life without learning, without these sorts of challenges … it’s not really worth living.

My professional side focuses on the art of selling and training folks on how to take their skills to the next level. This includes implementing, and then leveraging, tools like Nimble CRM.

I’m always fascinated by the variety of businesses that I am privileged to work with. Each has their own unique set of needs and figuring out how best to address each is always challenging and … invigorating. I’m learning as much, if not more, than they are.

I’m always looking for different ways to market my services and, right now, I’m on a roll. My last two attempts have been abysmal failures. That’s ok. I adapt. I adjust. I pivot. What I don’t do is become complacent. While disappointed by failures, I don’t let those define or limit me. They become new challenges instead.

I’ve never had any hobbies other than sports and I’m too old and broke down to play hockey anymore. Since I was never much good at it anyway, I’m ok with that. It was fun while it lasted. I still in-line skate when I have the time and opportunity to do so.

A few years back I decided to teach myself how to play guitar. I immediately became very good at buying guitars and amplifiers. My playing is progressing, albeit slowly. This too is ok. I’m having fun.

Guitars are always in need, it seems, for some kind of maintenance. I’m lucky to have a great luthier and, when I go to his shop I’m always fascinated by his tools and what he creates. He also builds very high end custom acoustic guitars and mandolins. I ask a lot of questions.

While I have no intentions of building a guitar from scratch, I might want to try to build one from a kit. Maintaining and modifying my existing guitars … why not?? I’ll tell you why. I do not have a mechanical bone in my body. I flooded the bathroom when I decided to change a faucet. I hire people to do any needed repairs around the house. I buy a nice bottle every Christmas for my mechanic.

I have very little patience and have been known to drop more than a few f bombs when I become frustrated. Last night our microwave blew a fuse, not the first time, and I could not remember what I did the last time to get in there to replace it. The dog ran and hid in the back bedroom.

Yesterday, I decided to swap the pickups in this new super cheap guitar that I purchased specifically for the purpose of having something to learn and to practice on. This involves soldering and I have never even held a soldering iron. I watched a lot of YouTube videos. They helped … barely.

Well, everything, and I mean everything, that could go wrong did. I would guess that my tech could have done it all in under an hour. It’s really not that complicated. It took me 8 hours and when I finally plugged my guitar in, I could not believe that it worked!

The really interesting part is that I never became frustrated and never dropped an f bomb. This is totally atypical of my behavior. Analyzing this, I came to a conclusion. I was learning and a part of learning is failure. I was failing forward. The next time, I will build on this experience and I will do better! I actually enjoyed the project.

In this regard, and in most all areas, there is absolutely no difference between how I choose to work and play. I approach each identically. I respond to adversity with each in the same manner. Maybe it’s my highly persistent and competitive nature. I think that it is. I have to be pretty beat up before I will give up.

Generally I am focused on the task at hand and the expected return if I prove to be successful. Other than reheated leftovers, there is no return from a microwave fuse. I get no joy from replacing one. It’s the work without the fun. Do what you love and love what you do.

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Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services

Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!