Starting from Scratch: Rethinking Work, Hierarchy, and Purpose
Imagine this: you wake up in a hospital, surrounded by people who know you, but you don’t recognize any of them. Sounds like the plot of a surreal movie, right? But for Jur Deitmers, this became a reality. After a severe brain infection, he woke up to a world where everything he once knew was gone—his memories, his identity, his knowledge. Starting over wasn’t just an option; it was a necessity.
His journey, as shared in the podcast De Jongen Zonder Gisteren (The Boy Without Yesterday), made me ponder a profound question: if you had to rebuild your life entirely, how would you choose to live and work? What if you could start over with a blank slate—no assumptions, no baggage, just a fresh perspective?
Finding meaning in work
Jur’s memory loss gave him a rare opportunity: a fresh perspective on life, a chance to question everything from scratch. Who am I? What do I want to contribute? In our society, many people are stuck in what anthropologist David Graeber called bullshit jobs—roles that feel meaningless even to those performing them. Writing reports no one reads, enforcing bureaucratic procedures that lead nowhere, sitting in meetings that serve no purpose.
Now, imagine you had the chance to start over. Would you choose work that energizes you, that has real impact? Or would you settle for a job that just fills the hours? For Jur, the answer became clear: work must have meaning. He sought roles that made a difference, rejecting the pursuit of status or money as the ultimate goal.
The illusion of hierarchy
Jur’s story also makes us rethink how strange traditional management hierarchies can be. Having no memory of unwritten rules of power or workplace status games, he treated everyone the same—whether CEO or receptionist, it made no difference to him. He approached every person with the same openness, unburdened by titles and rank.
But how often do we let hierarchy dictate our behavior, especially in the workplace? How often do we hold back ideas because the boss might not agree? How often do we silence ourselves out of fear of someone higher up? Why do some people have more power than others, Jur wondered.
If you could start anew, would you choose a workplace where your opinion only mattered if you had the right title? Or one where expertise and ideas were valued, regardless of position or title?
Power or people?
Too often, organizations prioritize power and control over connection. Decisions are made behind closed doors, communication follows rigid chains of command, and transparency is treated as a liability rather than a strength.
Jur’s approach was different. “Why can’t we just be honest?” is a question he might ask. And he has a point. Transparency and trust aren’t just feel-good concepts; they’re the foundation of any thriving organization.
If you were building a company from the ground up, would you choose a culture where decisions were imposed from above, without discussion? Or one where openness and collaboration were the norm?
The space to grow
One thing that stands out in the podcast about Jur is his curiosity. He loves learning, challenging himself, and exploring new ideas. But in many organizations, traditional hierarchies leave little room for personal growth or creativity—career paths are predefined, and stepping outside of them can feel risky.
If you could design your ideal workplace, would it be one where your ideas only mattered if you were in the right position? Or one where learning, growth, and trying new things were encouraged at every level?
I know what I’d choose: an environment where creativity thrives, where people learn and grow together, regardless of titles or roles. Because the real value of work isn’t about controlling others—it’s about having the space to contribute in meaningful ways to the bigger picture, in your own way.
Rediscovering true values
Jur’s story forces us to reflect on what really matters. When he lost his memories, he also lost his old markers of success—status, money, power. So, he had to rediscover his values from scratch. And what did he find?
It wasn’t the fancy job titles or material achievements that brought him fulfillment or made him happy. It was the connection with others, the ability to make a difference, and the freedom to be himself—without the corporate masks so many of us wear.
What will you choose?
Jur’s story is unique, but the questions it raises are universal. Every day, we have choices. We can challenge the systems we work in, question the status quo, and take steps—small or big—toward a more meaningful life.
Are you stuck in a bullshit job? Trapped in a hierarchy that limits you? You don’t have to quit everything and start fresh like Jur. But you can always take a step. One step toward more purpose, more openness, more growth.
The question is: what step will you take today?
