What do you do?
April 29, 2005
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If you want to be very clear about your feelings towards your current job, here is a little test. Find a child (son, daughter, nephew, niece, friend’s kid) and try to explain to them what you do for a living. If you are really lucky, you will have a child come to you with the same question. Don’t think about your answers. Just talk. You might be surprised at what comes out of your mouth. If so, capture those thoughts any way you can, because they represent your true feelings about your work.
I help people
When my own son, Joe, started asking about my work, the answer seemed
to just jump out of my mouth. I help people with their computers. Adults
may call it computer consulting, computer training, being a computer guru
or a host of other things, but when it comes down to it, I help people
with their computers. I may do this in a hundred different ways, but the
core remains the same. In fact, you could shorten it even further to simply,
“I help people.” Everything I do, in my work and my life can
be summed up with that short phrase. You should be able to condense your
work down as well, though I admit that I have had a lot of time (over
20 years) to figure out the focus of my work. It didn’t happen overnight.
So, can you define your own work so clearly? Does the definition change
from moment to moment and day to day? If you find yourself in this position,
you need to do some hard thinking. Without a focus you will be subject
to the whims of those around you, never knowing what is important to your
job. Even if you management is confused about the focus of your work,
you need to clarify it for yourself. Who are you there to serve? The Users?
Management? The public? How do you show this focus in your daily work?
If you find that you can’t discover the focus of your work, you
need to find a new job, or maybe even a new career. Too many people fail
to address this issue and after 10 or 20 years find themselves wondering
what their purpose was. Don’t wait until your retirement to find
a focus in your life. Do it now!
Would they want your job?
There is always the chance that in the act of describing your work, you
might come to some very disheartening conclusions. I have heard people
discussing their work with children and adults alike in the most discouraging
manner. “Well, I sit around until the boss figures out what we are
supposed to do.” “ I told them to do this, but no one listens
to me.” “I push paper all day.” If you find yourself
describing your work in less than flattering ways, now is the time to
act.
The most important, gut-level, test you can apply to your job is whether
your children would want the same job based on your description. If you
are painting a picture of doom and gloom, take this as a sign. Why are
you still struggling with this job when it is clear that you are dissatisfied?
Change may not happen overnight. It may not be easy, but shouldn’t
you be working toward that change today?
Also, consider the effect that this has on those around you. Do you want
your children to assume that all work is dull, boring and abusive? Do
you want them falling into the same trap that you find yourself? No? Then
send a message today that work can be fulfilling and rewarding. Even if
this job isn’t perfect, there is something better out there. Let
them know that work is a large part of life and finding a good job, where
you can make a difference, is an important goal.
If you have found a job like this, make sure those around you know it.
Don’t let yourself fall into the typical grumbling about work just
to fit in. Show them what a good job looks and feels like. Through your
example you can help others find a job and a career that provides them
not only with an income, but also a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
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