For many people, their career choices are the most important
decisions in their life. Combine that with the fact that approximately 80% of
our waking lives are dedicated to work. It is no wonder that career is taken so
seriously. The remaining 20% of our lives is committed to family, friends,
hobbies and play. Yet, we try to extract 80% of the enjoyment in our lives from
the 20%.
decisions in their life. Combine that with the fact that approximately 80% of
our waking lives are dedicated to work. It is no wonder that career is taken so
seriously. The remaining 20% of our lives is committed to family, friends,
hobbies and play. Yet, we try to extract 80% of the enjoyment in our lives from
the 20%.
In fact, we go to work with the belief that if
I had a
different boss or coworkers, I would enjoy my job. For others, it is the
customer who makes work difficult. While others blame lack of organization in
the workplace and constant pressure. For some reason, there is always an ‘if
only this would change’ mentality amongst people.
Perhaps nothing has to change except our intentions for a
job. Too often, we only see work as a means to pay bills. However, if we looked
at work as a platform that shaped 80% of our lives, maybe we would see work as
the opportunity to experience 80% of the enjoyment we experience in life.
job. Too often, we only see work as a means to pay bills. However, if we looked
at work as a platform that shaped 80% of our lives, maybe we would see work as
the opportunity to experience 80% of the enjoyment we experience in life.
Instead of work being a place to kill time and earn a check,
consider that work can fulfill 3 things: development, accomplishment and
enjoyment.
consider that work can fulfill 3 things: development, accomplishment and
enjoyment.
- Development – Because we interact with others in the
workplace, we have an opportunity to intentionally enhance our social
skills. At work, we tend to tolerate coworkers idiosyncrasies because if
we are unable to create workable relationships we are likely to loose our
jobs. Learning to work well with others makes us better people. Furthermore,
those enhanced skills make our marriages and other relationships more
enjoyable.
In addition, use your job to
develop other competencies, like finance, project management, computers, etc.
This development not only keeps you relevant and more marketable, it will build
your confidence. You can also pass them on to your spouse and children.
develop other competencies, like finance, project management, computers, etc.
This development not only keeps you relevant and more marketable, it will build
your confidence. You can also pass them on to your spouse and children.
- Accomplishment – In our jobs, there are goals and plans to
fulfill those goals. As we reach each milestone in the plan, we are
empowered. When the goal is reached, we reap the benefits. Those benefits
can be financial or the comfort of knowing we still have a job. Most
importantly, accomplishment helps us avoid the feeling of being in a dead
end job with no relevance to the company. Accomplishment is the fuel that gives
us the confidence to move on the next big project. It also galvanizes us
as colleagues. Outside of work, it gives us bragging rights.
- Enjoyment – Going to work with the mindset of ‘I can’t
wait until Friday’ or ‘another day another dollar’ is self-defeating.
There is no reason each of us is unable to enjoy work. The only thing that
stands in the way is social conditioning. Work is an extraordinary
platform to express ourselves and demonstrate our prowess. It is a place
to become a better person, build lasting bonds with coworkers and feel a
strong sense of accomplishment. Whether our job is our first choice or our
last choice, whatever we produce is a reflection of who we are as a
person. So who do we want to be known as? We can use our job to learn
something new. Contribute to others and show the world what we are made
of. Isn’t that what we do when we enjoy our friends, family, hobbies and
playtime?
If I said it once, I have said it many times, you only get
one life and this is no dress rehearsal. Enjoy it!
one life and this is no dress rehearsal. Enjoy it!
What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to
write me about a specific topic, connect through my blog www.turnaroundip.blogspot.com.
write me about a specific topic, connect through my blog www.turnaroundip.blogspot.com.