Inspired by the most recent book I read, How to do Nothing, and a source cited within called The Maintenance Manifesto by Mierle Laderman Ukeles, here are my early thoughts on focus for 2024 and beyond:
1. Repair & Maintain
This is close to the name of a division at one of my earliest employers. I always loved the concept of having the repeat biz of assisting clients with repair and maintenance of their facilities. It wasn’t until the How to do Nothing book that I realized R&M isn’t just for equipment and machinery. It’s for people.
💡How are you repairing and maintaining yourself and assisting others with the same whether at work or your personal life?
2. Tikkun Olam
Before reading the Nothing book, I had already chosen this Jewish concept of “repairing the world” as a focus for the new year and beyond. It fits perfectly with the R&M of people and things in the workplace and adds a missing dimension of community and world.
💡How can repair and maintenance of self and immediate place impact the greater community and world?
3. Repair, for parents
This year I became a big fan of Dr. Becky’s podcasts because they are short and I always leave with a new script or tool. Her TED Talk on Repair is a must listen, whether you’re a parent or have/had them!
💡link to her TED Talk, 15 mins well spent:
https://lnkd.in/gjSc9ukd
4. Art
A few songs that have been in my head since focusing on repair and maintenance are from Justin Vernon’s (of Bon Iver) project Volcano Choir.
The repeated refrains of rely, behave, decide, repave from the song Alaskans came to mind first because of the “repave” lyrics. Sometimes it’s ok to pave over with the same thing or repave to have a new foundation.
The chant of “set sail” in the chorus of the song Byegones send you on your way after the reflection of the melody and lyrics of Alaskans.
I made a Lock Screen for my phone to remind me of the personal and industrial aspects of Repair & Maintenance. If any of what I’ve said speaks to you, feel free to download the image and use it as a reminder for yourself.
