We Do Hard, Meaningful Things — And It Feels Good.
During my Masters at the University of Edinburgh in 2019, I took a course some might consider frivolous: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Happiness.
In this course, we explored what people across the world mean by happiness — and ways in which they seek it. From Bhusan’s adoption of the Gross National Happiness index (instead of GDP), to the American declaration on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to the pan-African philosophy of Ubuntu.
A major takeaway from that course was that in most cases, happiness — at least on a personal level — is built on two layers. First, there’s what the Greek call eudaimonia: an element of happiness that comes from a steadfast dedication to a meaningful purpose. Eudaimonic happiness simply is about living well, a life you can look back on with pride.
Then there’s what gets a bad rap, but is just as important: fun, pleasure, hedonism. Hedonic happiness is about feeling good — whether it’s from reading Nabokov’s Lolita alone in a cabin in the woods, watching Tiger King during a global pandemic, or even dancing to Jerusalema with strangers in a Jozi club.
We spend close to a third of our lives working. And if happiness matters to us, it’s not unreasonable to ask: am I happy at work?
At both levels too: am I living my best life and doing my best work here? And do I feel good doing it?
Reflecting on my last 12 months working at ALG, I would respond with a resounding yes to both questions!
At ALG, we are pursuing a timely and crucial mission: transforming Africa by developing ethical and entrepreneurial leaders.
The mere fact that I am part of this mission animates my life with purpose. I get to use my time and talents — my storytelling, my design capabilities, my curiosity — in service of this audacious moonshot.
And to do this surrounded by a community of people who I respect and who believe in me — more than I believe in myself sometimes — is a rare gift.
Okay, but does it feel good? Is it fun? I’d be lying if I said it always does.
But it often does.
I get to do difficult, creative work, and have moments of flow.
I can also freely make fun of my manager — Hey Principal Trolldeau 😝 — and that counts for a lot!
The other day I even got to impersonate several workmates in an all-hands call, in which I also wore three different outfits and played MaStingo.
Here, we don’t venerate busyness for busyness sake. We encourage people to take care of themselves — and those around them. We genuinely celebrate each other through shout-outs and gratitude walls.
We do hard, meaningful things and — not but — it feels good.
Join us today, apply here
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Learning Experience Designer— ALX at ALG
