Niet lullen maar poetsen*

This edition starts with a question, ends with a message and contains some well intended parental advice in the title and along the way.

The question I find endlessly interesting, especially during my current search for new work.

This is the question:

What should work mean to me in 2025?

The first thought: work means prosperity and must provide an acceptable standard of living for me and my children.

Then: work should bring joy, development, and growth—something that is (partly) within my own control.

And: work should create the feeling of contributing to society. In other words, it should be fulfilling and meaningful to others.

Finally: a healthy balance between work and private life is essential. Work should offer a good level of freedom and a mix of collaboration and independent work.

Many in my generation, raised by post-war baby boomers, grew up hearing that having any job was something to be grateful for, let alone one that brings fulfilment. Another common belief: "If you work hard, you can become anything you want," and once you find that, "Niet lullen, maar poetsen*.”

For me “you can become anything you want" was not particularly helpful - more confusing than anything. Never really knowing what to do in terms of work or education, two things were clear to me:

I wanted adventure and I wanted to leave.

So the adventure had to happen abroad. And it did. I chose an education that included an international internship. That last bit was more important than the actual education.

That time abroad now feels like a lifetime ago, but it was the best possible decision I could have made. It happened because I was sure that was what I wanted. It happened because it felt right. I followed my heart.

So the message is this: If there’s even one small thing you do know, start with that and then practice 'niet lullen, maar poetsen'*. The rest will follow.

If there’s even one small thing you do know, start with that. The rest will follow.

I have made this kind of decision - one that you are sure about but feels scary - two more times in my life: I quit two of my long-lasting jobs. It's the best and the most educational thing you can do when you feel stuck.

From now on I intend to ask this question at every ‘Coffee with Co’ meeting:

What should work mean to you in 2025?

Good to give this a thought regularly, right?

Have a great day! Co

P.S. More about that time abroad in my next newsletter. Also, keep an eye on your LinkedIn feed for some more fun analog content 👀

*The - it doesn’t get anymore Dutch - saying ‘niet lullen maar poetsen’ translates into English as followed according to chat GPT: ‘actions speak louder than words’. I find that translation a bit too serious. I came up with my own: ‘Don’t dick around, just work it’. It made chat GPT laugh :))