One of the most lasting ways to rekindle enthusiasm for your work is to look round and take notice of all the jobs you would hate to have. How empowering to shift the tiresome paradigm of waking up dreading another day’s contribution to livelihood into the consideration of one’s work as collateral. Watch someone working and think to yourself, smiling, I wouldn’t trade my job for yours.

I quit my last three jobs. I won’t quit this job. I won’t.

In my experience, when I anticipate the worst, things work out well. For example, when I fear failing a course or not graduating, I later receive a good mark and am handed a diploma. The most recent manifestation of this dependable relationship came in the form of an envelope that was waiting patiently for my fingers the night I returned from Minneapolis. In it was the result of the epic 8 hour fundamentals of engineering exam I took in april.

As you might recall, I doubted that I would pass, was not particularly concerned about completing this first step towards professional engineer licensure, and was only taking the exam because it’s a degree requirement that it at least be taken. My failure to attend any of the FE review sessions leading up to the exam, coupled with my single 10 minute cursory glance through a study guide, contributed to my confidence that the letter would flatly tell me that filling in the scantron circles had been a waste of lead. Instead, the letter began with ‘Congratulations!’

Given the good things that happen when I fear the worst, I’m watching with a pessimistic outlook the new job I start Aug 3rd. The idea is that the work will turn out to be engaging if I expect it to be mundane. Of course, this won’t happen if I only superficially expect it to be mundane. I’ve never so blatantly used fearing the worst as a means of securing positive outcome. If I can pull it off, it’ll be like passing a polygraph test with lies.