Key #1: Decide to get the most of your career and your
life.
…In order to strengthen
your commitment, I have a question for you.
What motivates you to
find work that you love? What will you gain by pursuing it?
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What motivates me to find work I love is the fact that I know that there is something out there for me that I will love doing. I have had jobs in the past that I have loved and others that I have really not enjoyed at all.
I know that in the past I have let myself stay in bad work situations for too long and I should have taken action to make changes sooner that I did. I usually feel better just by starting to take action.
I also know that I have a lot of years of work left ahead of me and I may as well be doing something I enjoy rather than something I don't enjoy.
Chris
I agree with everything I read in Lesson 1: I think that whether in work or in life, if you allow fear to hold you back then you will regret it for the rest of your life. Change is very scary–and risky–but without it we do not grow and develop. My own life has taught me that over and over again.
The main driver for me is that when I wake up in the morning I want to be looking forward to the day coming up. Although traffic to the office may be cumbersome the challenge of doing the work that I am in makes the day and my life enjoyable!
Although I work for the same employer already a long time I always managed to change jobs when I noticed that I did not enjoy my work anymore.
As work is (still) a substantial part of my daily life I want to enjoy that as much as my free time and the hobbies I have. If I don't it means I am wasting my time and energy! Feeling good at work generally means feeling good after work as well and gives me more energy to enjoy life!
Menno
That's so true that feeling good at work means having more energy outside of work too. I hadn't thought of that before.
Thanks so much for your comment, Menno.
Cheers,
Angela
Constantly switching jobs makes me sick. Although I have worked in this firm for nearly 3 years, I still need to change job due to performance. During these years, I have thrown myself into work selflessly, but I always found myself too tired to move ahead and achieve less and less. My performance has been deteriorating.
Therefore, I wish to find a work that would be suitable for me to earn $$$ and stability. I wish to balance work with family life, then be stable in all aspects of life. Moreover, what motivates me is the aim to be successful in my career. To me, being stable is one of the indicators of being successful.
Stability is a good goal. Everyone will have different indicators of success.
From what you say, it seems like you probably know that the secret to achieving more will be to work less, look after yourself and have more positive energy. Right?
The greatest motivation comes from the feeling that doing the work I love brings both satisfaction and energy to empower my desire with what I am doing, and that further gives the physical strength, the focus and the attention to put efforts into my work. My experience is that it is quite easy to feel fatique and tired when I am working on something as a duty but not as a kind of activity that I really like to have.
The gain: Satisfaction is the greatest gain. This can be further explained in mutiple levels. First, first, it makes me feel great because I am not easily tired when doing something I really like. Second, the performance of my work will be usually at a high standard because work on something I love means usually means that I am interested in that thing and that further means that I excel in it. This will bring a feeling of superiority because I am able to perform something that cannot be done by a normal person and the standard is of top level among the best people in that area. Third, the sense of breakthrough and going beyond your own limitation brings further meaning to my life- that I am living this life with something special and something to talk about to others. Finally, in most cases this standard of work will mean a fairly good amount of monetary rewards because as one of the top people in a particular field, it is quite natural that I will get paid quite well for soemthing not everyone else can do.
“Do what you love, love what you do, leave the world a better place and don't pick your nose.”
–Jeff Mallett
Hee hee! Thanks Eddy. I agree with you completely.
I think that which motivates me at work the most is that although there are a few things which I do that are routine, each day brings new challenges and sometimes pleasant surprises. So I look forward to coming in and seeing what the new day brings. Of course, some days I end up with fires to put out, and challenges which stretch me out of my comfort zone to find or create new solutions to unexpected problems. But this too is a good thing because it keeps me from dissolving into a pool of complacency.
As many companies face budget cuts and putting more job responsibilities on top of their already lean workforce, I've found that if you can try to maintain a positive attitude, and ensured that you put into the work you don't like doing the same degree of professionalism and pride that you'd put into the work that you DO like doing, people will notice and you may even engineer a change in their attitude and lift their spirits too.
Did I get off tangent here?
I like work that is challenging and where I am constantly learning
something. Too easy = too boring!
I have had jobs that were not really “me”, but I stay in them because
it was convenient for my “outside” activities. My goal is to make sure
my job has the same interest as my outside activities, or turn my outside activities into something where I can earn an income!
I like job where I can direct myself, have some interaction with people, but flexibility where and when I can work!
Jenny
First, thank you Angela for inviting me to this e-course.
My life is more than just work. Work is a means to an end. I no longer look for everything (such as self-actualization, esteem, respect, love, $$ and so on) in my job. Therefore I will not fight to get ahead, I will not compare myself with others and feel angry, and I will not do whatever it takes for my job because life is more than that. I will do a professional job where I am, and expect to be paid an amount I can accept, and leave me time for my personal pursuits.
Yes, indeed. Sometimes letting go is the secret to more enjoyment in life, and work. The strange thing is that letting go can even be a way to be more effective at work. Is that true for you too?
I'm motivated because I feel that I cannot accept the management style of the managers. I feel that I cannot learn anything from them and I feel that I'm stuck in my role with no progressing career path in front. I also feel that I'm not making much contributions and the job is not challenging for me anymore. The financial reward is also not satisfying
Sounds like you have many good reasons to improve your situation. That's good …it will drive you forward!
Cheers,
Angela
What motivates me?
- sense of achievement and success
- sense of progression
- recognition
We have to work. The money we get from it, enables us to enjoy life. So why not finding something we love doing while earning a living?!
I guess if you want to love your job you need to choose something you like doing and where you are good at. My dream is to go to work happy and motivated, which is not the case right now.
Many say that nobody likes their jobs. Something i totally do not agree with: i know people around me who like what they are doing because they have found the right job that suits their skills!
Now, what will I gain by pursuing this will to love my job: happiness, less stress, more fun and more challenge!
Motivation for me is when;
- I wake up in the morning with a urge to go to office
- friday afternoon/evenings ,at work, is same as tuesday
- Monday morning same as friday's
The irrelevance of any day/period in a week to how I feel at work place for me is one aspect of motivation I have.
Anand
Hi Anand and welcome!
Yes, I see your point that you would not label your work as something to be avoided, but as something to desire.
I've got two more questions for you now! What makes it desirable for you to stay in the office?
And I want to know how committed you are to making every minute of your work an enjoyable experience. How important is it to you?
Thanks for posting.
Cheers,
Angela
Let me give you my working background and “history” here and hope it won't get you bored!
I have been also constantly switching jobs in the past 6-7 years which I have no idea what went wrong with me. Some were the very bad employers who fired me on the 59th days as they didn't need to contribute on my retirement pension, some bosses were having attitudes problem such as unconstantly at work, double standard which made you guilt trapped, too emotional, too personal…which made me hard to follow.
Well, maybe i went to the wrong industry or the company culture was suit me. The longest job I worked for was the one right after my uni gruduated and it's a MNC which last for 3 years long. Afterwards, I have been trying different industry but the same area of working of marketing, sales or business development..
After all, I feel soo inseured towards those small – medium size or local, newly start up companies.
In Q4 2006, I was luckily to get a job in finance investment brokers firm which I made me have a very different prespecitive and fascinated about it. I found sth interested in and something practical to learn from my roles as client servicing as well as sales trade support! I even review my knowledge by taking some relevant course and attained some professional qualifications over the year which were totally out of my job required. As I want to equip myself well for this fast pace envirornment. Unfortunately, I had to leave the company in June 08 because of the our worst performance from the volatiled financial market which directly affect my income!
After taking a break, and do more study and discussed with few closed friends and mentors, I think what motivate me to a job right now is probably money (but it won't be a long term but I do need it for my financial expenses such as house rent, daily expense, mortage etc), so for long term I think that will be sth someone mentioned on this blog b4:
- sense of achievement and success
- sense of progression
- recognition
- flexbility
Please advise am i thinking in a wrong direction in my career?
Thanks
Hi Faith,
It sounds to me like you are making good progress in your career, since you have come through a period of having constant problems, and your last job was much better. From all your experiences in different workplaces, it seems you have identified the type of workplace that really suits you, so that will be important information as you seek your next job.
In step 4 of this e-course, you'll be asked to write down exactly what you want, and this is where you can be as specific as possible, to articulate the ideal so that you can make it happen. You can!
Cheers,
Angela
I need work that I love in order to stay alive. I cannot see myself being stuck in something that I do not enjoy. I have been in the same field for the last 20 years and still love my work immensely. I am where I am in my life today because of my work.
I do find that I tire of the companies that I work with. It is not as if I have commitment problems (I have worked with the same company for seven years) but I find that I get taken for granted in the workplace. Just because I have been in the same field for so long, I find that people think I have no aspirations for growth; they expect me to be mature and understanding about my own career path.
I want to continue in my chosen field because of a variety of reasons. I throughly enjoy the intellectual challenge and respect it brings me from clients. I know that my work helps making better business decisions in its own way and that gives me tremendous satisfaction. It gives me an opportunity to interact with different types of people and it gives me an opportunity to travel to different parts of the world – both of which I enjoy immensely. After 20 years, it feels like I have a lot of knowledge that I can impart to others around me – whether this is clients or my team. After such a long time, it is also probably the only job that I know how to do really well!
The reasons for me to find work I love, is to motivate myself to dig out the best part of me and contribute the most to the work and my career. Right now i seem to stuck in this bad situation and not motivating me to work hard at all, and I feel the job just drains me out. But yes like what Angela said I feel like i have no choices, I have experiences barrier to enter in the company that I want to, and I can't afford several months to find another job until my financial situation get better.
Barriers out there are for break though, I believe I can break though my bad situation and find work that I love.
Hi Vina,
Thanks for posting. So you FEEL like you have no choices, but actually you do have choices. It's great that you are still thinking so positively.
I'm sure there is a way for you to capitalize on what feels like a bad situation. Somehow it can serve you. It can be a benefit to you.
Cheers,
Angela
What motivates me is that I know that I know I am meant to be doing something that I am passionate about. By finding it I will be able to give it my all and be the very best that I can be. By pursuing a career I'm not meant to be in, I'm not being fair to myself to do what I love!
I hope that by finding my passion I will be happy and find the “flow” I'm looking for. I understand that there will always be challenges ahead but by facing these in pursuing my passion there will be a purpose to it all.
I totally agree with you. Finding your flow makes life so enjoyable and meaningful. As long as you keep looking, you will find it.
What motivates me is the sense of success that I have completed something and done well, and that would be something related to my skill, knowledge, expertise or innovation. A working day should be as fun and exciting as a holiday. Would be nice if the colleagues are friendly and share the same interest or habits.
I'm in my late 30's and yet I don't have a solid background in the area of my expertise. I have been switching jobs to find what I want. The last one was close to what I had been looking for and I have stayed for a few years, but the job nature changed and I was lost. I didn't enjoy what I was doing. Felt like I was just being a contact person for a montly salary. I could not do that for the rest of my life. Actually, when my manager fired 2 colleagues 2 years ago, such action has left me a bad impression and that has a serious impact on how I started to dislike that job.
Previously quite often, I settled for another industry / profession for the security of having found a job. I don't know if I should settle for any job just for the sake of having a job in this global economic situation. Sometimes, I don't know what kind of job I really want.
Thanks for sharing this. I think your situation is quite common: conditions are constantly changing in workplaces and one needs to be continuously reflecting on the situation and responding in order to keep loving your work. That's why ongoing coaching is so good. It gives you a framework for reflecting, a sounding board for your plans and motivation to take action step by step.
Perhaps the reflections in this e-course will be enough to clarify your action?
What motivate me?
- The feeling that i am learning/doing something new, i hate to be in a routine
- Recognition from others
- sense of achievement & satisfaction
The problem with me is, i HAVE all the above in my current job. I like my job and i like my manager. I have been with this company, although in different departments for the last 11 years since i have finished University.
As much as i like to stay where i am, i would like to also explore the not explored. I've talked to some people and am amazed with some of their career endeavors. I look forward to do something that is completely outside of what i am doing now, but am scared to start all over again. the most important question is – WHAT is the something that i want?
Should i be satisfied with what i have now since i am already enjoying it? or should i go for something more, but i may ended up not liking or not capable of?
–Clara
Hi Clara,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! It's an interesting dilemma you face. There is always some risk in exploring the new. That's part of the attraction, in a way. If the outcome was already known, it wouldn't be worth exploring!
I want to reassure you of a couple of things. 1) You will not need to to 'start all over again' since you have gained skills and experience already that cannot be lost. 2) You can start using more creative ways to discover what you really want, and you can do that now while you are still safely employed. Let me know if you'd like to know more about that.
Hi Angela
Thanks for your encouragement. I am definitely interested in knowing more about it. I think you are right esp that having a secured job can help.
Looking forward to hear more from you.
Cheers, Clara
Good question !
I think it depends on your objectives, motivation, situation and so on, but concerning myself, I guess it is very important to fulfill all cases of my life concern; love, work, family, relationship, fun, pleasure and all of them bring me happiness !!
When one case is missing too long, I fill disoriented, disorganized, unhappy and out of the society !
Further more, one of the most important in this life style is “my job” because I spend most of my week day at work and my job gives me;
• Interest (keep my mind fresh and up),
• Pleasure (making an interesting job),
• Money (for doing or buying what I want),
• Rank (you are what you do, so if you have no job = nothing!)
• Relationship (colleagues become friends)!
Actually, what motivates me to find the work I love ?
It is to be in this right balance !!!!
Chris
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Chris. Sounds like you have plenty of good reasons to spend some effort and getting work you love.
Looking forward to seeing your answers to the next questions!
Cheers,
Angela
Finding a job you don't hate is crucial to anyone's well-being. In my first job I reached a point where I had a knot in the stomach travelling to the office. Absolutely terrible. I left and joined a fantastic company that I still remember fondly (if only they hadn't gone bust!).
Finding a job you love is great. Most of the time though it's somewhere in the middle.
When younger enjoyment was as important as money and advancement. Switching jobs and seeking new challenges did not seem to be a problem. Now in my 40s with young kids and most probably not enough savings stashed away, I feel under more pressure to find security and stability – with the assumption that this means big corporates. But I prefer small and entrepreneurial and in fact have my own business.
Does the meaning of love change? ie. would I love my job more because I know there is a regular good pay cheque or should I love my job more because I can do my own business? Maybe it's just an age thing
Thanks for posting. I think what you're noticing is not about what you love, but what you need. Your needs have changed …you need more stability now than you did before. And your needs are necessarily more important than your loves/passions/values. You can't focus on self-actualization until you have enough to eat!
I find it helpful to first assume that you CAN have everything you want. Would you have to change some of your other assumptions in order to do that?
Key #1: Decide to get the most of your career and your life.
. . . for me, my work defined who I was, brought me peer acceptance and integrated me professionally, personally, socially and gave me purpose . . . something to believe in . . . namely in myself!
Of course, the aforementioned are, in my opinion, important, but not necessarily required in one ‘made-to-order’ and ‘convenient’ package but, depending on your circumstances, allowed to enter your life and to add value from time to time.
. .. .. but no matter what we do . . . we should try to do it with passion and an open mind . . . free from fear and unrealistic expectations . . .
. .. just my thoughts and experiences to date . .