A Thought About the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter everyone!

Have you ever wondered whether imaginary characters get bored with their jobs? We got to discussing the Easter bunny’s challenges. Do you think the task of hiding eggs and watching small (and sometimes large) humans searching for them, breaking them open, and devouring the contents gets a bit samey?

Or, the tooth fairy. Maybe once you’ve acquired a few billion baby teeth, the novelty wears off?

What about Santa? We assume they are happy in their work. Certainly, the movies seem to suggest they are. But can you really trust Hollywood to tell the truth about these things?

See, this is the challenge with mythical, imaginary characters. It’s hard to get to know them on a deeper, more personal level.

Nonetheless, we do wonder if they get bored with the limited variety in their jobs. Do they have bad days? Get irritated with the inevitable humdrum. Perhaps the Bunny’s HR department is trying to enforce a return to the office mandate. We imagine the dialogue might be:

“But the important work I do is in the field… literally. Why do I need to be in the office?”

The evil head of HR probably responds:

“Look, you have an employment contract. You accepted certain terms and conditions. We believe the alchemy that comes from being in the office with marketing, PR, finance… well… basically we make the employment rules, and we’ve decided we want you in the office… so be like Nike and hop to it!”

So… this Easter spare a thought for all the bunnies. Take a moment to appreciate their work ethic. Perhaps even think about how they stay motivated, keep themselves energized (energized bunnies… see what we did there?)

Turning serious, just for a moment, the question of staying motivated in rather repetitive jobs is a fascinating subject. One that we have spent a lot of time exploring, researching, and trying to understand.

What separates those of us who go to a rather routine job, let’s say working in a retail store, and rather than feeling like we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, rather than feeling disillusioned by the predictable routine of the day ahead, instead choose optimism, fun, enjoyment?

We call this broadly the “Spoon full of sugar” factor.

We once worked with someone who told us a story about working as casual labor at a fair ground in mid-west America. They told us how they had to work a 14-hour shift, in the heat of the summer, while directing often intoxicated and unruly patrons to follow the rules. No cutting lines. No swinging on the Ferris Wheel. No riding without wearing the harness.

They said that they loved it. Even the cleaning up of the vomit, the emptying of the trash can (with what they called ‘trashcan juice’ with its distinctly pungent aroma).

We were fascinated by how they managed to stay in love with the job every day, for a whole summer. Bear in mind they made only minimum wage.

Their answer?

“Oh… its easy. I got to work at a fairground where we made peoples’ dreams come true. I’ve loved fairground rides my entire life. For me, it was like a big theater production. I was an actor in a grand production. When I got it right, I knew people left with memories they would treasure for a lifetime.”

Not a bad ethos.

How we frame what we do defines how we feel about it. When you work in retail, do you see yourself selling garments and completing transactions, or helping people feel better about themselves. Getting ready for a big date, a major life event. Understanding the why and context might transform the role you play.

We’ve met 75-year-old receptionists at hair salons that love what they do. Sweet shop sales assistants who delight in meeting new customers and introducing them to their favorite candy. And junior analysts who adore and celebrate their mastery of Excel.

It's not just cup half empty or half full.

It’s about viewing what you do in a broader context. Taking the time, and interest, to understand the big story. There is ALWAYS a bigger narrative. A grander design. When you understand what part you play in that story you unlock a certain secret sauce.

Returning to the main theme… you can begin to see how imaginary figures might have great fun repeating the same tasks year in and out. Just because they may be mythical, and imaginary doesn’t mean they don’t still have challenges, struggles, and worries.

Perhaps we can extract some wisdom in thinking about their stories… along with sweet deliciousness.