Tranquility and Occupation

The quote “it is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give happiness” is attributed to Thomas Jefferson. It seems most people intellectually understand this statement, but most people have a hard time living it. For example, where can you find tranquility and occupation at the same time? The quote implies more solitary pursuits. In Jefferson’s day, it was a more agrarian culture. No cell phones (no phones period), no computers, no cars. But think about it in the context of today’s world. Are you always tranquil when working alone without the phone in your ear or the computer in your face? When I’m pulling weeds, trimming around hard to get places, and cutting down tough branches – solitary pursuits, I’m not necessarily tranquil. My point? Occupation can come in almost any form today – physical labor, mental tasks, and intellectual pursuits. I believe tranquility is driven more by a person’s personality type. What do people naturally predisposed to do? Some people I’ve found are actually more “tranquil” and occupied working phones and relationships all day. Some love less interaction. In either case, the key is understanding what works best for each individual and working towards balance. This is especially critical for managers developing team cultures.