What Mud, Manure, and Emu Bites Taught Me About Work Satisfaction
There’s hard work, and then there’s hard work. I’ve been volunteering at an animal farm, hauling feed bags in a real-life version of a farmer’s carry (I used to pay someone to make me do those). Yesterday alone, I prepped pig feed, cleaned the chicken coop, and corralled ducks in the rain. It’s the toughest, grimiest work I’ve ever done. And I love every second of it.
As I scrubbed the layers of poo off my rain boots, I got to thinking about why this kind of work is so satisfying. I think it’s because I can see the impact of my efforts immediately. After hours of backbreaking, messy tasks, I can watch satisfied pigs napping contentedly and chickens enjoying their spotless coop. That kind of confirmation of a job well done is deeply rewarding.
Over the years, I’ve noticed how easy it’s to lose that sense of satisfaction in my day job. The further I get away from execution, the more it starts to feel like running on a hamster wheel. When that goes on for too long, burnout isn’t far behind. This is the stage in our careers when thoughtful feedback can make a real difference. It’s fuel that keeps us motivated between tangible outcomes. And yet, it’s easy to overlook because we’re too busy or we fall into the trap of thinking that only major achievements deserve recognition.
To be clear, I’m not talking about the standard “Great job!” after a presentation, but something more reinforcing, like: “You explained that problem well. The way you framed it helped me understand the real issue.” Constructive criticism matters just as much. A comment like, “I was a little lost during that presentation. Can you clarify a few points?” shows that you effort is being taken seriously and is worth engaging with.
This lesson came from an unexpected place, but I’m grateful for it all the same. It’s a reminder of the kind of work environment I want to be a part of and help foster. Even when the outcomes of your work aren’t as immediate or obvious as a well-fed pig.
Hero image by https://unsplash.com/@sharon_co
