Jeffrey L. Kidder’s book titled “Urban Flow” is not only a fascinating look into the world of bicycle messengers, but it also offers interesting insight into the factors that contribute to job satisfaction and meaning in work that could apply to most other types of work. Kidder, an associate professor of sociology at Northern Illinois University, temporarily worked as a bike messenger and used the experience to write his treatise on “the lure of delivering packages”. However, there is a deeper underling message about the politics of appropriation which he discusses in his conclusion. While most of us have no ambitions to become bike messengers, the book still offers valuable advice for those evaluating career options or in career transitions.

Bike messengers receive low pay for dangerous and difficult work. In fact, they’re usually all contractors and only get paid per delivery. If they don’t have a delivery, they don’t get paid. Likewise, if they’re sick or injured and can’t deliver parcels, there is no salary. They also work under extremely rough conditions including heat, rain and cold. Despite all of that, bike messengers report extremely high levels of job satisfaction. Kidder outlines why messengers are satisfied with their jobs including the following:

Factors for job satisfaction:

1. While the goal is defined by the employer or customer (i.e. deliver X from point A to point B), it is the messenger who determines how the work will get done. The messenger makes all decisions on how to complete the objective.
2. While working, messengers operate in a mental state of “flow”. During their deliveries while they navigate dangerous traffic at high speeds, they are completely present and their minds are completely focussed on the work. Compare that to so many people who are often daydreaming during much of their day in an office, particularly in meetings.
3. Messengers satisfy an important need. Some people and businesses need parcels delivered with minutes in a way that can’t be duplicated digitally or by other services.
4. They deal directly with customers. There are no layers of of people or systems between them and the customer.
5. Messengers identify as being bike messengers. It’s not just a way of earning money because there are far easier and lucrative ways to make money than being a bike messenger. They do this work because they feel it represents who they are. This is similar to how physicians identify as being physicians; it’s not just a job.
6. Their work life is tightly connected to their leisure and personal lives. Their friends are also typically bike messengers and their leisure or recreational activities, such as “alley cat” bicycle races are closely related to their work; riding bicycles. There is no distinct separation between work and private life.

Key Message: If your work is not the foundation of your authentic identity, then it’s not likely to be satisfying regardless of title and pay. On the other hand, work that satisfies the factors listed above make it easy to tolerate even the most extreme and difficult working situations.