I’ve been exceptionally focused lately because of all the training and coaching on my schedule. So much so, that recently I found myself traveling to a client, feeling more stressed than I should be. Since I use stress as a warning light on my dashboard to indicate something isn’t right, it caught my attention. So I paused my thinking about my to-do list, my next engagement and all the work before me.

In my pause, I tried to determine why I was so tense. It wasn’t long before I realized that I forgot something. It wasn’t on my to-do list, my schedule or my calendar. I didn’t miss a deadline or feel unprepared. In fact, if it were in one of those places, I may not have forgotten it at all. You see, I forgot that what I’m doing is what I enjoy. This is what I signed up for. So, in short order, I reminded myself that I am grateful for my work. Almost immediately, my stress began to drain and I relaxed. With a new perspective, my to-do list and calendar became evidences of all that is good, rather than a source for my stress.

Have you had that experience? For instance, the first thing Monday morning, how easy is it for you to forget that all the work before you is good and enjoyable, instead of feeling overwhelmed with it all? If so, you set yourself up to be stressed and irritable—and no fun to be around.

You owe it to yourself, your colleagues and your clients to remember that you like what you do. You’re good and getting better, doing good things and making significant contributions. View your work today and this week with gratitude that your career has meaning and you enjoy it.