• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

PHONE: 240-277-6224|EMAIL: meredithtseu@gmail.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
MLT Careers

MLT Careers

Love Mondays Again

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Serve
  • Services
  • Testimonials
    • Resume Samples
  • Blog
  • Contact

Identify Shadow Work

November 10, 2015 by Meredith Tseu
© Cristian Nitu | Dreamstime Stock Photos
© Cristian Nitu | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Why do you work? Such a simple question borders on annoying, and yet so many people struggle to answer it completely for themselves. Many of my clients feel pushed to the brink. They can’t fit in a phone call to a friend, let alone a job hunt. They’re working too hard.

Craig Lambert, in his book Shadow Work, writes about the million ways we undertake work not only as employees but as consumers. When gas stations started making you pump your own gas, they created shadow work. When Ikea decided you should put together the table instead of them, again, shadow work. Lambert argues that it’s filling our day, but we don’t realize it.

In the workplace, we’re encountering a different kind of shadow work. One that caught my eye, that I believe is creeping into the corners of every workplace, is what Lambert calls emotional work. Bosses reward workers who can “fabricate states of feeling that put customers and coworkers in a positive mood,” he writes. So not only are you responsible for doing your job, you’re now on the hook for making others feel a certain way.

It’s enough to get you angry. But what do we do with this information?

We can’t control our workplace, but we can choose what and how we consume. Lambert points out that consumption takes time and energy. It takes time to buy and put together an Ikea table, probably all Saturday if you’re fighting crowds. Even the most pleasant experience, such as an upscale dinner, takes time. Ask the people waiting for their table at the restaurant that no longer takes reservations. If we buy less, we spare ourselves from the hidden work, and free ourselves up for more meaningful tasks, or for simply resting.

Here’s an exercise: Identify all the shadow work in your day. Keep a log, and jot down everything you do that’s shadowy, and see if you can reduce it in your life. It may just take you from overwhelmed to (just a tiny bit more) in control.

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email Share on Twitter
Category: General

About Meredith Tseu

What do you get when you combine a B.A. in religion and an M.A. in counseling with stints as a journalist and career coach? In my case, you get a resume writer and job-hunt coach with decades of experience helping job seekers find their true north.

Previous Post: « To Solve Career Problems, Talk about the Taboo
Next Post: Career Change in the New Year »

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Get a Job After Four Years’ Gap
  • How to Find a Job After a Long Gap
  • Crafting Your Teacher Resume for a Career Change
  • Job Hopping in Your 20s? Five Ways to Explain It
  • Your Employment Gap: An Explanation Letter Sample

Enter your info to receive your free guide, 3 ways to use your non-traditional background to get the interview!

MLTCareers-LeadMagent

mltcareers

MEREDITH TSEU, CPRW

Ellicott City, MD

Phone: 240-277-6224

Email: meredithtseu@gmail.com

PHONE

240-277-6224

EMAIL

meredithtseu@gmail.com

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2022 · MLT Careers · All Rights Reserved.

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version