If you’re sitting at your desk reading this blog, please take a moment to reflect on your performance today. I’ll hazard a guess you’re pretty good at your job. Sometimes, when you have to focus very hard, you’re output could reach the magical 110% mark.
But, in all honesty, you may at times do your job on autopilot. In the words of the great attorney, educator and visionary Hugh B. Brown: ‘if you have a desire to be mediocre, you will probably find that you have already achieved your ambition’. Ask yourself this – do you enjoy what you do and could you improve on the situation to realise your vision?
We all go through phases in our jobs where we enjoy it thoroughly and when it can be a bit of a chore, a necessity, or a routine. If you’re experiencing the latter three phases, I want to try and help you improve by following the steps outlined below. The aim: to make each working day truly worthwhile.
Firstly, let’s look at how we make connections – key to succeeding personally and professionally in life. Good connectors keep in regular contact with loved ones and work colleagues. The networkers. My advice is make that effort to keep in touch with your peer group, as you’ll need their help and advice at some point soon.
It’s an obvious one, but aim to think positively. Park the ‘what if’ mentality and shift it to the ‘what I can do’ mantra. A positive outlook across life’s rich pageant will truly determine the difference between life and death, success or failure and happiness or despair.
Next up, try to live with a strong sense of purpose. This helps us move forward in life – or not if you choose to tick the ‘no purpose’ box. Spend time defining your fundamental purpose in life – drawing on work and personal matters. This could be to help others, or to strive for the best you can do in life. Give it a go. It’s harder than you think, but ultimately very rewarding.
Embrace vision. The most accomplished people I know have a vision for their lives. Fear not if you haven’t developed this yet, it can be done at any time, but I’d advise you to do this sooner rather than later. Your plan – with its vision – should have an executive summary detailing who you are and what you want out of life. This guide doesn’t have to be written down, as long it’s easy to recall from the old grey matter.
Finally, in life don’t be afraid to the point that you limit what you want to achieve. It’s important to acknowledge fear, discover where it comes from, then confront it and move on with your head held high.
So there you have it – your initial pointers to achieve workplace and personal harmony. Now don’t forget that you’ve got an important role to play in your corporate career. Next time we’ll look at the next five aims; until then, go forth and spread the ‘work can be worthwhile everyday’ gospel! Thanks, as always, for your time.