Mechanical Clocks (and Watches) are an amazing engineering achievement.
(There's a bonus link at the end of this post, explaining this wonder.)
The way the wheels fit together, and work smoothly together to make the clock accurately show the current time, and the progress of time - is just short of miraculous.
Every wheel has the exact number of teeth (called cogs) it needs - being short one tooth is bad, and having an extra tooth is just as bad...
Its placement is super-accurate - move it even a millimeter - and the clock simply won't work.
The wheel's size is critical - being a different size will wreak havoc (cause a "balagan") in the mechanism.
Whether big or small, with more-or-less teeth - all the wheels in the clockwork are critical.
And possibly counter-intuitively, many times - like in many engines - the smaller ones are actually the ones generating more "power".
Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, while discussing "what makes people tick(*) at the workplace?", what makes people feel meaningful and engaged at work, I realized - that in contrast to the common metaphor (the one questioning people who are "merely a cog in the machine") - being a cogwheel may actually be a worthy goal.
If you're committed, emotionally invested in being a part of the machine, then like a cogwheel in a clock - you make an impact and you are involved, and the clockwork can't do the work it does without you.
To squeeze this metaphor just a little more, I'd liken the clockwork to a reverse-dynamo - where the wheels are energized by the clockwork - but only if they're connected and part of the clockwork.
No matter your size - if you're an impactful and involved part of "the machine" - it will energize you, and you'll look forward to your workday.
And if not - your workday will drain you.
And you'll dread Mondays (or Sundays in Israel).
Be impactful. Be Involved. Be part of the team.
What cogwheel are you in the clockwork?
(There is no wrong answer. All cogwheels are good.)
BUT: If you're waiting for the weekend - even before the week begins - something is not working.
Fix It Now! Or Make a Change. Or Take a Break.
Cogwheels don't wait for the Weekend. Neither Should You.
(*) Definition of "tick", as in "what makes (someone) tick" (Merriam-Webster):
: the things that cause someone to behave a certain way : the feelings, opinions, concerns, etc., that are parts of someone's personality
Bonus: an amazing explanation on how the mechanical watch works:
Commentaires