We’ll all go through times where we love and are excited about our jobs. And we’ll inevitably have periods of time we are annoyed and puzzled by the work we’re doing. Maybe it’s the week you finally need to catch up on all that filing and data entry and you’re dreading it. Or maybe it’s the week you’re attending that amazing conference, kicking ass, taking names, and loving every minute. The times of love and excitement are easy to navigate, but the times of “I don’t want to do this” are significantly harder.
When your work reaches the level of tedious and necessary, but might be missing elements of fun and excitement, here’s what I recommend you do. Make a list on Sunday evening of five “to-do’s” that would invigorate and excite you at work. Make them specific to your job, your company or your industry. Things that would make you better, make your work better, or move the needle at your company. And make them things you would love to do. I’m not talking about huge projects or endeavors. I’m talking about tasks that take maybe 30-60 minutes, but they would make you feel invigorated and excited about your work.
Once you’ve made the list, commit. Commit to checking off one of these things every day that week. You’ll have to set aside the time. Maybe it’s the first hour of the day or the last, or maybe you save them for that dreaded 2:00pm lull when you realize you just need a little pick-me-up. And wouldn’t doing something exciting and goal oriented with your job be better than that 400 calorie ice-cream sundae?
Make the list. Set aside the time. And insert one of those five things into every day this week. It might just make those “I hate this” weeks a little closer to the “I love this” weeks.
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
Comment with Facebook