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This month, we’re diving in-depth, with our figurative pens and journals in hand, to explore meritocracy. How does it show up, how we may knowingly (or unknowingly) reinforce that idea, and adopt an entirely ethical practice for the now and will be? Our working definition of meritocracy is a system that rewards merits (ability and effort) with success. It means, “If you make it, it’s because you worked hard, and if you don’t make it, it’s because you didn’t work/try hard enough” (Tim Wise).
As I’m in the middle of book writing (more details on that soon!), I remember sharing with my brother a concern about a last-minute checklist item for the book that’s critical but not entirely immediate to complete right now before publishing. Yet, the catch is that I’m in the second round of personal drafting of book 1 (it’s a series). Meaning, I have many steps between now and publishing (developmental editing, copy editing, beta reading, print/digital formatting, soft releasing, etc.).
So back to my brother. He tends to be unapologetically blunt in our conversations, and this one was no different.
“You’re so worried about what’s happening on the top level and how to complete the tasks there, but you haven’t even finished what’s on level one”
Y’all.
My younger brother read me for filth, but when hard truths come from those who love you (and you’ve consented to their proposed feedback), all I could do, in typical Chinyere fashion: was to ponder, write, then act.
So, here we are.
I’m talking about the effects of the steep entrenchment of individualism, an unhealthy fear of the future, improper work/rest balance, and the absolute need for being actively present in the now for wellness.
As pondering does what it does best, revives the memory, I remember listening to a conversation in June with Author Tim Wise on the concept of rugged individualism and meritocracy as part of America’s flawed premise. Listen here for a previous exposition: The Myth of Meritocracy.
The quick response to the comment made by my brother would be to “work harder, get it done faster, let’s go!!”, but I want to push back on that for a bit. Realizing that doing the same thing and expecting different results is pure madness, something had to change in my understanding of “being” and “work” related to the book-writing journey and my social responsibility as part of this world community.
It starts with rest. Something that I haven’t had/done in a long time. But as I write this from an impromptu staycation this weekend, I remember what it took to experience this, who was involved in making this happen, and how rest is not a singular act. Nor is wellness or being present.
It’s a lie to believe that you can achieve it all without anyone. Sure, it can safeguard against any possible hurt from another person, but to think that we are entirely self-sufficient and self-replenishing only drives the hole deeper.
It is instead because of the community that we can survive, thrive, develop new ideas, and experiences memories and feelings unimagined. So, could it be that the ideology of rugged individualism and meritocracy robs our community the healing that it so desperately needs?
We need a restart, a nap, a pause. We all need to take several minutes to breathe deep, realign, and healthily produce from a source of joy rather than anxiousness. Perhaps that’ll settle the fear about the future, the berating of “grind culture”, and give room to accomplish the “level one”, together.
What has been your experience on this topic so far?