In the quiet corners of many households, the soft whirr of a gerbil running on its treadmill can be heard. This seemingly endless cycle of motion, where the tiny creature runs with no destination, has often been used as a metaphor for various human experiences. One poignant analogy is the comparison between the "Gerbilian" treadmill and the work-life of an average modern human. This metaphor encapsulates the relentless, often monotonous nature of the daily grind, the pursuit of elusive goals, and the struggle for balance and personal fulfillment in modern societies.
Cognitive dissonance and monotony in work-life balance can have significant effects on an individual's productivity, job satisfaction, and overall mental health. Cognitive dissonance arises when one's beliefs or values conflict with their actions, such as when a person values work-life balance but finds themselves working long hours without sufficient personal time.
This conflict can lead to stress, frustration, decreased job satisfaction, and depression. This phenomenon becomes more noticeable as one approaches retirement age.
On the other hand, monotony in work-life balance occurs when there is a lack of variety or stimulation in one's work or personal life. This can lead to boredom, decreased motivation, and a feeling of being stuck in a rut. Both cognitive dissonance and monotony can negatively impact an individual's work-life balance, leading to burnout, reduced job performance, and depression. Here are a few phenomena to watch out for:
1. The Relentless Cycle: For the average worker, the workday often begins early and ends late, with a routine that seems as endless as the gerbil's run. The proverbial 9-to-5 job is frequently extended by overtime, commutes, and the ever-present connectivity of digital devices. Much like the gerbil, who runs seemingly without end, workers find themselves in a repetitive cycle of waking up, commuting, working, returning home, and preparing to do it all over again the next day. This relentless cycle can lead to feelings of monotony and exhaustion, as the days blur into one another with little variation or respite.
2. The Pursuit of Elusive Goals: The gerbil runs driven by instinct but without any clear end in sight. Similarly, many human workers are driven by the pursuit of success, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. These goals, however, can often seem elusive. The promise of a promotion, a raise, or a better job can keep individuals running tirelessly, yet these rewards may remain just out of reach. The analogy extends to the societal pressures and expectations that push individuals to continually strive for more, often at the expense of their well-being and personal time. How many acknowledge that the most precious non-renewable resource we own is our time on this planet?
3. The Struggle for Balance: Balancing work and personal life is a significant challenge for many. The gerbil, confined to its cage and treadmill, has little opportunity to explore beyond its immediate surroundings. Similarly, the average worker can feel confined by their responsibilities and obligations, struggling to find time for family, learning new things, and self-care. The constant demands of work can encroach on personal time, making it difficult to achieve a healthy work-life balance. This struggle is exacerbated by the modern work culture that often values productivity and output over individual well-being.
4. The Impact on Mental and Physical Health: Running on a treadmill without variation can lead to physical strain for a gerbil. In humans, the continuous work cycle can have serious implications for both mental and physical health. Stress, burnout, and chronic fatigue are common issues faced by workers who feel trapped in their routines. The lack of downtime and the pressure to constantly perform can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. How many humans see any value in the power of "downtime" and the potential mental rejuvenation from periodically doing nothing?
5. Finding Meaning and Purpose: Despite the apparent futility of the gerbil's treadmill run, there are lessons to be learned. For the gerbil, running is a form of exercise and a way to expend energy. For humans, it is essential to find meaning and purpose in their work. This can involve setting personal goals, seeking out fulfilling projects, and finding ways to make a positive impact in their personal and professional roles. It may also mean re-evaluating one's career path and making changes to align with personal values and aspirations. If humans are imperfect beings, what are the chances that their quest for life's meaning will lead them to the right place? Hence the adage, "explore forever."
6. Breaking Free from the Treadmill: To break free from the metaphorical treadmill, individuals and institutions must prioritize well-being and balance. This involves advocating for fair work practices, flexible schedules, and supportive workplace environments. On a personal level, it means setting boundaries, taking time for self-care, and pursuing activities that bring joy and fulfillment outside of work. By doing so, individuals can create a more sustainable and satisfying work life that allows them to thrive both professionally and personally. The mere fact that there are tensions between employees and employers is sufficient evidence that one or both parties exhibit asymmetrical values in work-life balance.
Finally, the analogy of the Gerbilian treadmill to the work-life of an average human highlights the repetitive, relentless nature of modern work, the pursuit of often elusive goals, and the critical need for balance and fulfillment. By recognizing the challenges and taking steps to address them, individuals can move towards a healthier, more meaningful work life. This shift not only benefits the individual but also contributes to a more positive, productive, and altruistic society.
How does all this "philosophy" discussed here connect to the intersection between economics and altruism? You see, it is tied to the dilemma of "Cartesian Dualism" in human existence, as outlined by French philosopher and scientist René Descartes (1596-1650). Cartesian dualism's dilemma involves the coexistence of both material and immaterial aspects of oneself, the mind and the body of oneself, the physical and the metaphysical of oneself, the objective and the subjective of oneself etc.
This then raises the question: which aspect of you primarily shapes your life's goals? Can one find happiness and fulfillment only by accumulating material wealth, or is the pursuit of happiness and contentment exclusively limited to a metaphysical sphere, or does one outweigh the other despite being interconnected and interdependent?
Cartesian Dualism can be seen as a metaphor for the cognitive dissonance that arises between the physical act of consuming material goods as a source of happiness versus the realization that happiness is the exclusive domain of the immaterial. The latter, therefore, must hide in the deep recesses of interpersonal relationships among humans. After all, "no one is an island."
Hence, if the essence of happiness is found within human connections and relationships, could it then be that kindness, empathy, and compassion serve as the essential raw materials for happiness and contentment? This question is important especially in the face of strong corporate cultures that prioritize sterile productivity and results over humanism.
Given the hypotheses discussed above, is it not up to each of us to clearly determine our own definitions of "happiness and contentment" and to understand the significance of achieving a balanced work-life harmony in a mindful manner? Without this awareness, could our life's path lack meaning and purpose, resembling the aimless running of a gerbil on a treadmill?
Think about it!