Work is one of the ways we express ourselves in life.
My thanks to Leslie Tucker of Roundstone International, Inc. I’ve worked with Leslie and always been amazed at her insights and brilliance. Most of this blog is directly from her recent posting; I added the action steps. Watch her video about the opportunity that work is to transform yourself, then come back and read on.
Like life, work has ups, downs, joys, disappointments, surprises, setbacks – an unpredictable range of experiences.
Think about how you want your work life to be.
- What do you want to be known for?
- What do you want to contribute?
- How do you want to be treated?
- How do you want to treat others?
- What dreams and hopes do you intend your work life to fulfill?
Answering these questions allows each of us to be clear about what we are committed to, what matters, what we value and what guides our actions.
Over the course of our work life, the answers to these questions may change because our perspectives or situations change. That’s why it’s important to revisit, refresh and renew your answers. It’s especially important to renew our answers when we reach key milestones in our work life, for instance, when we’re promoted, change jobs, or retire.
Take stock
Once you have answered these questions – of course you can add other questions. This is about your satisfaction and fulfillment! – the next step is to assess your answers. Are you experiencing your answers at work? Frequently? Congratulations! Sometimes? Pretty good and needs some attention. Rarely? Probably not as satisfying as you’d like. Something is definitely missing and needed.
Pick 1 area you assessed as “sometimes” and invent 10 actions you could take to raise it to frequently. Choose one action and take it this next week. Experiment. See what happens. In another week, select one of the “rarelys” and do the same. Often the awareness that something’s missing allows you to increase its presence. Other times, concerted effort is required.
Where are you headed? Your future is in your hands.
Why do this? Because you have a unique contribution to make and everyone, including you, will miss out if you aren’t making it. Use your answers to create the future that you are committed to. Why not?
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