Gemotions

The deadline loomed, a pressure cooker that threatened to boil over. Despite the stress, Ben hummed a tune as he poured over the data. The numbers, usually a source of anxiety, now seemed to sing to him. He was building something complex, a system that would help his team, and that gave him a powerful sense of drive.

He’d seen Sarah, his fellow applicant, in her usual frenzy, pacing the floor, barking orders. He smiled to himself; she was good, no doubt. But for Ben, the core of this work was a deep and quiet satisfaction. The intricate details of his project seemed to perfectly capture everything he had learned, and everything he wanted to explore.

He stretched his arms, feeling the satisfying pull in his shoulders. Even if he didn’t get the promotion, this project, this feeling of mastery, would be enough. He went back to the spreadsheet, utterly immersed.