As Steve Jobs said: “I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been NO for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something”.
This actually sounds like a great idea. That question should give you a good idea if you are at least contented with your work. If not, then just answering NO, even if it is only to the mirror, is not a solution.
There are several steps you need to take:
- Determine exactly what is it about the work that you dislike. This is easier said than done. Is it the clients? Is it the actual work? Is it your co workers or boss? Is it the stress? Not enough income? exactly what is it?
- Next, determine what you do like about your work. This is usually easier.
- Take one of the items you have determined you don’t like about your work. For instance, maybe it is the long hours and the stress that produces. Ask yourself if this item could change would I want to go to work?
- If the answer is still NO, go onto the other items you have identified and ask yourself that same question.
- What you are trying to do with this exercise is see if small changes could make you happier or if you have to chuck the whole thing and start over again with a complete change.
- If changing individual items could produce a better environment, then begin to work on those. If you don’t like the long hours and stress, can you re-frame that by making less income? Can you delegate more? Do you have someone in your organization you can talk this over with?
- If you come up against a lot of push back or negative feedback with a small item, it may develop into a large item that needs significant change but you won’t know unless you begin.
By doing this exercise you should be able to determine if enough change can be realized to allow you to stay in your present situation. If not, then you need to start looking for another job. Face this fact. Don’t make excuses.
Take the time to plan exactly what will make you want to get up and go to work each morning. Work with a coach or create a step by step plan to find a way to grow in what you want your life to be.
Most importantly, don’t let yourself get into another job where you will be doing this exercise again in a year!
Keeping up with our June review, next week we’ll look at feeling lonely and how to make a fuller life for yourself.