5 Ways to Love Work
Work is a relentless whirlpool. You struggle to reach today’s goal only to see it become tomorrow’s expectation.
How can you love work when tomorrow’s storm sneers behind the door?
5 ways to love work:
#1. Love work by loving relentless pursuit.
Show up looking for challenge. Drifting insults your potential. Challenge gives meaning to work.
Leaders love steep climbs. When they get to the top, they look for another hill. Sir Edmund Hillary stood atop Mt. Everest and mapped a path to climb a nearby mountain.
The fantasy of attainment is a nightmare that leads to oblivion.
There is no lasting success. Achievement is always transitory.
#2. Jettison the notion that frantic means you’re important.
Important people don’t bounce from one issue to the next like a lawn chair in a hurricane. I had a boss who validated her value through long hurried hours. She wasn’t happy and most of the people around her were miserable.
#3. Prioritize.
Overcome frantic by focusing on work that makes a difference. Reject busy work. Choose important over urgent.
Research suggests we choose tasks that can be completed quickly and put off important work (The Mere Urgency Effect). For example, you don’t change the oil in your car until it starts making scary noises.
- Identify work that matters. For leaders, work that matters begins with “P”. People, people, people.
- Minimize distractions. If possible, turn off notifications and social media. Check email on a schedule not as it comes in.
- Use value to make decisions. Ask yourself, “Is this valuable work?”
#4. Love learning.
A person who loves learning enjoys adapting. Rigid people don’t learn. They repeat.
#5. Do what’s in front of you.
Stop thinking about the next thing while you’re doing this thing.
John Wooden taught college basketball players to, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
What’s one thing people could do today to love work?
What’s something in this post that will help you love work?
Still curious:
3 Surprising Quotes from Sir Edmund Hillary that Contradict Established Thinking
Sir Edmund Hillary Reveals Something More Satisfying than Climbing Everest
LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA:
I love my clients, my legislators, and working with them is a treat. I love my career and when crazy chaos rears its ugly head and I am delayed. They understand and adapt with me.
Thanks Kelly, It’s all about the people!
“Check email on a schedule not as it comes in.” – I have also learned to apply this to the modern “Slack” or “Discord” barrage. Have certain slack channels that are “urgent” and everything else treat like email – once or twice a day at most.
Love the thoughts today Dan!
Thank you, Jeff. It’s wonderful how small interventions make a difference. Of course small interventions require discipline to implement. 🙂
My job is not a job – it’s a passion. When I begin to feel overwhelmed, I step back and remind myself why I am here. It’s my passion.
Thanks, Brenda. Purpose is fuel. 🙂
This is a timely reflection. As I near year end, I am reflecting on ways to be more “intentional” as opposed to “reactional” in the workplace. I too like the idea of checking email on a schedule. I am wondering what other practices may be useful, as other topics like “Building a Second Brain”, “Atomic Habits” and other titles have recently attracted my attention. Seems like the universe is suggestion change. I just need to see if I can discern the path and stick to it.
Thanks, Robert. Choosing to live intentionally is at the heart of overcoming the tyranny of the urgent. Many leaders feel pressure to run around chasing urgencies. I wish you continued success. I haven’t read “Build a Second Brain,” but “Atomic Habits,” is worth the read for sure.
Hi Rob,
Totally agree that this is the time for reflection. I find there is always something we could do better as leaders, whether on our own work or how we influence others.
I think adding “The Vagrant” would be a useful read too. 🙂