5 Things to Think About (no. 2)

Are you spending too much time on the job?
So, I hope that you have now read the previous post about 5 Things to Think About and that you have now already transformed your thinking about your job.  Yip, all in a few days.  No, seriously, that would be impossible but I need to continue the journey with you.  I know that each of these points actually need a book to be written and indeed there many books on the subject(s).  That is why I am not writing a book for each of these and why my posts remain on the Internet so that you can come back and reflect.

For now I would like to move on and start a conversation around how much time you spend at work.  Sure you don't have control over it because your boss...  Hang on!  Have you ever questioned the assumption that you have to be at work for a specific amount of time?  How about challenging the current practices and actually asking if you have to be around for the whole day?  This is perhaps the most radical but on the other hand you could also question the tasks, meetings and mundane/repetitive work that you do.

I meet too many people that just take it for granted - 'that's the way it is done...'  Really?  Come on!  Wake up and ask some questions:  "Could this be done in half the time and double the fun?", "how necessary is this really?", "could this be done later?", "does the client really need this now?", "could this be automated?" etc.
I guess at this point we need to talk about fear.  I know that we all have fear that come in the form of  "yes, but..." objections to the suggestions I have just made above.  The reality is that if you don't even have the courage to step up where you are right now, how can you even start dreaming of achieving your bigger dreams of freedom?  Remember this blog is about going from survive to alive and sometimes it is the smaller opportunities that we overlook consistently that can actually be turned into our steps to inner-freedom first.  The kind of freedom we get from facing our fears and that translates into external victory.

In the past 15 years or so of doing casual, full-time, part-time, corporate, small business and self-employed work the biggest lesson that I have learned is that I would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.  Here's the reality:  If you ask for permission you put your cards on the table and lose all your leverage.  If you simply execute and make it a success without asking the 'powers that be'  you will have much less resistance.  If they are still resistant to change it is always best to ask "can we at least try it for a trial period?" or "don't you think it is reasonable?"  If you get ultimate resistance you should perhaps start asking more courageous questions like "is it time to move on and continue challenging yourself and growing in a different place?"

5 Things to Think About

No. 1

Are you waiting for a job (perhaps not your current one) to bring you happiness?

No, seriously!  I know people have perhaps spoken about this for quite a while and it is perhaps a cliche but have you ever paused and asked yourself "Am I waiting for my job, or the people at my job, to make me happy?"  Now happiness is not the ultimate measure as we have confirmed before but it sure is a good indicator if things are on track or not.  You could perhaps say that fulfilment is the goal and happiness is the measure.

For quite a while I saw my job as my main source of fulfilment and happiness.  Although your job is important because you probably spend so much time at it (not that you have to - No. 2 - next post) it cannot be the main reason for getting up out of bed.  Now more than ever I realise how work is part of a greater purpose and that is worth putting on my slippers and getting out of bed.  From some solid failures and other great experiences I have come to realise that there is so much more.  Work is important, yes, but it should weave in with the rest of your life, compliment the other parts, and create synergy.

The challenge is that most of us have resigned to the circumstances and are waiting for that magical moment when someone will recognise your skills.  It won't happen.  As so many before me I have realised that I will perhaps change the world but my odds are significantly higher for changing my world; the one I live in; the people I meet.

It's all in the mix man!  I'm telling you!  If you read my post on the principle of ensue or on paradox it might ring a bell.  You have to let go to get to get a grip; stand still to move forward; appreciate the small to get the big.

For too long I focused on this "big mission" whilst life was passing me by.  I thought that things will happen when they happen and divorced my effort from the result.  I now realise that those smaller dreams I have for me and my family are very important and that by changing my way of doing I might just be changing my world anyway.

So now the challenge is how can I change my approach and perhaps spend less time working but gain greater income.  I want to work on my terms and add value.  I want to be powerful beyond measure and let my presence in this world be a blessing.  I do not want to build my own tower and compete with others striving to do the same.