Pandemic Rethink – We Have Options

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” - Steve Jobs

I am sure you will agree that loving what we do has become harder since 2020 has come and gone. Working from our kitchen tables, spare bedrooms or basement corners has impacted many. That being said, we have options. Options in the way we look at things moving forward.

Perhaps more importantly,

“those who aspire to lead have the obligation to help their teams see the possibilities the future holds even in the face of current challenges.”

We have all likely found ourselves in a job we did not like too much. Whether it was when we first left school, or perhaps a summer job. For whatever reason, it just was not what we wanted or expected. No one wants to get up every morning and wish they were working somewhere else.

Conversely, when you find yourself in your dream job you just know it. You wake up with a spring in your step, and ready to face the next challenge! Our jobs have changed. Not necessarily what we do but the way we do it. Those changes have made it easier for many to ask themselves if they are in the right job?

Think about these 3 surefire ways to know for sure:

You Have Re-Imagined Yourself in the Big Picture

Modern leaders who demonstrate effective leadership skills understand the importance of encouragement and motivation. Without a doubt, motivation at work has allot to do with believing in what your organization does. And equally true, is

“that high performing teams see what they do as contributing, in a meaningful measurable way, to the vision of the organization.”

So, the question is, do you still see yourself in the big picture? Are you finding new and innovative ways to lead a virtual team, to engage with team members without being able to meet face to face? Are you running a project that will streamline processes, which will in turn make the organization more profitable for the shareholders?

Remind yourself that you are part of the big picture. Take the time for a virtual rethink and see what you and your team are still doing to contribute to the organizational goals and vision – you will find yourself again looking forward to waking up - to coming to work, even if the kitchen table, by seeing yourself in the big picture.

You Still Look Forward to What is Next

What is next? I had a program manager who worked for me in a past life who thrived on the next challenge and on delivering results. I can still hear his voice and the words "what’s next" every time I thanked him for a job well done. What about you? Do you see your work as a series of challenges, that when completed successfully, have you looking for the next way to contribute?

We have added a new set of challenges to what we are asked to do. Like any challenge there are ways to overcome. You will remind yourself you are in the right place when you look forward to the next project soon after delivering the last. You want to contribute, and you look forward to what is next! Especially if that means the New Normal whatever that will look like..

You are Recognized for your Contributions

We do not do it for applause or self-promotion – or at least we shouldn’t. But the truth is we want and deserve to be recognized for our contributions to our company’s success. Sometimes it is as simple as our boss saying – “thanks I really appreciate the effort.” Are you being recognized for your efforts? If you are, it goes a long way to making you feel for sure you are in the right job!

Our current reality has made it necessary for leaders to recognize a completely different set of contributions to recognize.

Many have shifted to a Virtual role seamlessly and with optimism. That needs to be recognized.

Others have delivered everything asked for while at the same time home schooling. That needs to be recognized.

If you are not, you are likely having doubts. We all know what it feels like to be working somewhere wishing we were doing something else. If you are somewhere, doing something which allows you to see yourself in the big picture, looking forward to the next challenge, and, despite all we have been asked to do in 2020, you are recognized for your contributions – you are still in the right place!