Now is the time to reengage and reimagine your role for greater meaning and inspiration on the job. With the return to the office looming on the horizon for many, we have fallen into a paradigm of juggling a lot and thinking we must do everything. Prior to moving to the current work-at-home environment, we labored for long and grueling hours in the office and took on everything that came our way without carving out “me time”.
Many are dreading returning to work and to the non-stop barrage of tasks and initiatives coming our way.
When we try to do too many things this leads to losing your passion, feeling overwhelmed and high levels of stress. It can feel like you are on a mechanized assembly line waiting for the next assignment to roll by your station so you can add your set of tasks to the assembly.
It is time to stop being a task manager, with long to-do lists and the associated checkmarks and begin being a balanced leader who feels inspired by all they do. The following three-step plan will help you find meaning and rediscover your passion.
The first step in gaining inspiration is to narrow your focus. When we focus on what really matters, we are doing the things that move the needle and make the greatest impact. Identify all you have on your plate and sort the tasks from greatest to least importance. Those tasks at the top of your list are the things that have the most impact in your role, to your department and to your organization.
Spend your time doing the top five initiatives and only move down the list if time and energy permits. The point is to stay focused on the few instead of the many responsibilities that do not advance things forward nor make a greater difference.
Leverage your strengths and put them to work. Think about the unique combination of strengths you bring that someone else may not. Make a two-column list. Under the first column add your strengths and under the second detail specific examples of where you use these strengths. Think about how you lose track of time when you enjoy what you are doing.
When you ignite your strengths, notice how the work becomes effortless.
You feel like your job has meaning and purpose. It becomes less about work and more about fulfilling your passion. When you harness your talents, those traits that come naturally, you are adding the greatest value and making the biggest impact.
Take “me time”. We think we must move at an unrelenting pace. This is what will get us noticed and promoted to higher positions, right? However, research shows that we are not as productive the more hours we work. In fact, when we take breaks and reflect, productivity increases. I am a big proponent of the saying “you must move slower to move faster.
As a deep thinker, I carve out time to reflect on my accomplishments and all I do.
It is as simple as spending 15-minutes at the end of the workday or workweek. I use this time to think about what I should be doing more of and what I should be doing less of and how these things deliver meaning and purpose. This “me time” illuminates my passions and keeps me on the right track.
Reduce stress, restore your energy, and bring meaning and purpose by practicing my three-step plan. Wishing you inspiration in all you do!
SAGE Alliance, a Leadership Performance Company; provides executive coaching, team-building, industry leading assessments, workshops and speaking on topics including: building a high-performing team through coaching, developing and optimizing your top talent, delivering commanding communications, creating a lasting impression, making a greater impact through personal branding for executives and high-potentials – for both team and individual leaders.
Shelley Hammell, is the president, CEO and author of You Think You’re Coaching, But You’re Not! available HERE, and is available for book signings and speaking engagements.