Thursday, May 2, 2024
Sweet FootJourneys

Sweet FootJourneys

Dulcet Peregrinations

BonMot

Panurgic

I’ll do whatever it takes to help.

sounds like an anxiety attack, but it means…
able and ready to do anything
skilled in all kinds of work

Greek: “pan” = “all” and “ergon” = “work”

There is the connotation of a meddler about the word “panurgic.” As someone who has spent a lifetime ready, willing and eager to do any kind of work or task regardless of how difficult or unpopular, I have often been, to my complete astonishment, accused of being a meddler. It turns out the unabated desire to be helpful can be one of the least desired traits in another person, which means that my deep-seated panurgic nature has led to more frustration than joy. An eagerness to learn any sort of work can also result in becoming a jack-of-all-trades and an expert at nothing, which is ultimately unfulfilling. There is something to be said for focusing on one thing and learning that one thing well. I admire those who are able to do this. And, over time, I’ve had to accept that being panurgic is a core part of who I am and this is often both disliked and limiting.
There is a consolation: the panurgic types are the ones who get the job done and make things happen in the world.
They are annoying, but necessary.