Hey, thanks for all the feedback on the latest blog 7 mistakes that slowed me down in my corporate career
Many recognized themself in #3: giving too much time to the company.
Sometimes we manage to avoid it; sometimes we fall back with both feet.
The problem?
With “too much”, we’re never happy with what we get in return.
We expect more from the company. But it can’t satisfy us.
The time we didn’t take with our loved ones.
- You were away on business on your wedding anniversary.
- An unexpected meeting makes you miss the kid’s soccer game.
- Your parents come to visit, but during the budget period, you go home so late that they’re already in bed when you arrive…
No pay, no privilege can recreate these moments.
Formal recognition of the company. Why it’s never enough…
Here comes the long-awaited moment when the company can (finally) show its appreciation.
Annual increase
I only got X%. Whatever the amount, you’re disappointed.
We compare our remuneration with all the opportunities lost with our loved ones.
The promotion
You haven’t been chosen. The competition was tough.
You’re disappointed…
With everything I do for the company, it’s not fair.
The company car
The company has just launched its new company car policy.
Entire teams worked to consider all stakeholders.
But there’s nothing in these grids to recognize your extraordinary efforts.
So, once again, you’re unfulfilled.
Vacations…
Management has drawn up rules that are as close as possible to the pace of business.
It doesn’t work with your family life anymore.
You have to ask for exceptions every time.
“After all I do, I have to explain myself every time.”
We end up losing sight of the big picture
All these little frustrations add up.
They begin to blur our clarity.
We forget the important things.
The boss we like, the job we’re interested in, the colleagues we get on well with…
Despite everything the company tries to do, we feel bad in a job we love.
How can we see things differently?
6 ideas to avoid an existential crisis at work
1/ The company won’t do it for you.
It’s not enough to say.
“My family is the most important thing I have.”
This needs to be reflected in your diaries.
Block out time in advance (year, quarter, month) for things you don’t want to miss.(A tool for doing this learned from Stephen R. Covey. )
Clayton M. Christensen offers this question in his excellent book How Will You Measure Your Life?
“If your family matters most to you, when you think about all the choices you’ve made with your time in a week, does your family seem to come out on top?”.
2/ Set your own constraints and put them into practice
These, suggested by Michael Hyatt in his book Win at Work and Succeed at Life, work…
- I start at X and not before.
- I finish at X and not after.
- I don’t work at weekends.
If it’s not you, it’ll be the people around you.
The kind of last-minute constraints that make you miss the kid’s game.
3/ Find something else to do besides work
Even if you love your job. Especially if you like it.
Putting everything in will end up frustrating you.
Find something else.
And to avoid distractions like…
- Netflix, the world’s most dangerous prisons (there’s always worse than me.)
- What’s the best suitcase for super travelers? Compare. Read the testimonials. Looking for the best prices…(PS changed suitcase for camera, iPhone, headphones… You can always find something to fill your time).
Be proactive:
- What do I want to learn?
The best universities are available online, sometimes free of charge.
- How can I create an unforgettable experience with the people I care about?
“The purpose of life is to acquire memories. In the end, that’s all there is” – Downton Abbey
My wife has just organized an unforgettable event for us and our friends.
A 215km run around Lake Geneva. A team of 6 people working around the clock to meet the challenge.
And there’s no need for a crazy adventure. A fun hike with old friends will make a significant impact, too.
The advantage. You’re expanding your “little” world of work, which is eating up all your bandwidth.
But where can I put this in my super-packed agenda, Dror?
Your diary will fill up all the time. Passively or actively.
Repeat points 1 and 2 😀
4/ Stay objective.
Intentionally write down the + and – of your work.
All is not as bad as you think over and over in your head.
Write down the positive points in your diary and regain some distance.
“It’s not so bad, my company car 😀.”
5/ Cultivate your network. Create your own options.
You love what you do.
So develop your expertise.
- How are things going in the industry?
- What are the latest trends?
We all have hundreds of contacts in our networks.
But they’re completely passive. Get into the habit of reactivating them regularly.
- What are their challenges?
- How can you help them?
You create opportunities that give you more freedom for the next point…
6/ Have the tough talk when you need to
When you’re clear. When, despite your best efforts, something doesn’t feel right.
Don’t join the pack (already full) of colleagues who like to talk about it in the corridors.
Take the road less traveled by those who take the lion’s share of opportunities.
Talk to the people involved. Those who have the power to change the situation.
- Ask for their points of view.
- Show us yours.
- Offer an alternative…
And if after that you’re still frustrated…
Don’t make yourself sick. Remember that…
7/ If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.
We’re wasting our time on an activity we no longer enjoy.
But complaining is pointless.
What works best?
Take 60 minutes to think with pen and paper.
- What do I really want?
- What are my options?
- What is my action plan?
Moving from passive complaining to thoughtful action is liberating.
Conclusion
Putting everything into your job, or staying on when you (really) don’t like it anymore, is a loose/loose situation.
Keeping our big picture in mind.
Executing it by creating room for the important things in our lives.
It’s an endless game of win, win, win.
For ourselves, our loved ones, and the company we serve
Thank you
Dror Allouche
**
Question for you.
Which of these 6 ideas do you intend to try out?
What’s your next step?
**
If you liked this article, you’ll love my newsletter in English and French. Join a community of ambitious readers who want to succeed in their careers while enjoying their lives. Sign up here and receive it every Wednesday morning directly in your mailbox.
**
PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 more ways I can help you accelerate your growth through coaching:
- You’re ambitious: you’ve already achieved a lot. And you intend to continue. But this time, you want to do it while enjoying the important things in your life. Curious? Click here.
- You lead a team: you know that a slight improvement in your leadership can significantly impact the team’s results and, therefore, your career. I was trained and certified by the world’s first executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith. I accompany you in your project and guarantee the result. You only pay me if you succeed. Curious? Let’s connect for a free call and see if we can work together
Join a community of ambitious readers who want to succeed in their careers.👇
Leave a Reply