Some may seek a direct answer, but if I give mine, it may come out rather illogical, or incomplete. I apologize if it would come too confusing. Perhaps an everyday story of irony would somehow shed light to it. So here it goes:

Nowadays, I feel that I am extremely burned-out due to the demands of my work. Let me state an example on one of those days.

From the moment I wake up, thoughts of emergencies and problems about work flood my mind. Even when I am taking a bath, my mind floats around processes, concepts, and tasks that I need to think about. My two-hour travel seems like an eternity of brainstorming and I find myself being half-drained. I haven't even reached the office to work yet. The door that leads to our department seems like it is the entrance to the battlefield. I feel that I am not yet prepared, but due to the tremendous amount of demands and expectations, I have to set foot, stand my ground and fight my way throughout the whole day. I open the door, walk slowly towards my station, looks come my way as they discover that I am now around. They approach... they "attack" and so the fight begins.

Together with a trusted comrade and strong, willful commanders, I handle 44 colleagues as they go about doing the things that they themselves need to do. I tackle issues that arise almost every hour and with a range from easy to extremely difficult. I rush toward deadlines and spend time on briefings and negotiations. I try to hit and exceed the targets that were provided for me, and for my team. Everything feels as if I am hanging on to dear life while facing the greatest storm. At anytime, there is this strong temptation to just let go.

However, at the end of the day, I always find reason to keep on fighting. This is because of my colleagues. Most of them always find a way to help each other and help the whole team. They go beyond what is asked of them… they exert extra effort in helping the team live through each day. I receive a word of gratitude or two, here and there, and I find myself satisfied.

I find joy in helping others.

If I could see happiness and content on a colleagues face, and I helped him/her experience it, I will be happy. If I could reach out my single hand and be able to help thousands, a contented smile will strike out of my face. If in the eyes of one, there is gratitude and acknowledgement shining through while looking at mine, mine will cry with tears of respectable pride.

I find them to be one of my sources of motivation and inspiration. I will strive to help them as much as I can. This is what keeps me coming back each day. This is what keeps me working. This is why I am still happy working for the company.

My love for work goes hand in hand with my service to its people. So if you ask me how much I love my work, you may not get the answer that you are looking for. It would depend on how you look at it.

“I love my work just as much as I love the people I am working with.”