Happy Wednesday!
Hump day. Middle of the week. Friday’s almost here. Only three more days until I GET A BREAK FROM WORK!
Is that what goes through your head most Wednesdays?
If so, I’m pretty sure you’re not alone.
I felt that way for years, not because I hated my job but because I wanted to do my own thing…build my own business. Some weeks, Friday just couldn’t come fast enough.
What if, instead of racing to Friday every week, you felt nourished by your work? What if you could step into your “purpose” and work in a way that reflects who you are?
Because the way I see it, work should nourish your soul, just as food nourishes your body. Being “well” is about far more than what you eat, how much you exercise, and what vitamins you take.
I’ve been where you are, feeling unsatisfied with my work but not sure what to do about it. Here are some ways to love the work you have…or to create work you love. (If I can do it, so can you.) What will you do THIS WEEK?
Love the work you have.
If you just need to make a few tweaks or leaving your job isn’t an option right now…
- Change your perspective. I spent over a decade working in the corporate world and was genuinely energized by the experience most of the time; but I always sort of knew that I wanted to “start my own thing.” I just didn’t have any idea what it would be (and boy did I jump through a bunch of hoops trying to figure THAT out, including applying to graduate school…twice). On days that I was feeling resentful, bored, or generally crabby about my “lot in life” (woe is me), I reminded myself that everything I was learning in my current job would come in handy when I did finally go out on my own (or when I moved to my next job, whichever came first). Your current experience is a stepping stone to what’s next…so show up and do the work gratefully. You’ll be glad you did.
- Make stuff happen. A new project or challenge may be just the thing you need to feel motivated by your work again. If nothing presents itself, create an opportunity. What have you noticed around the office that might need some tweaking? Have a chat with your boss to suggest some things or to see what projects s/he’s been putting on the back burner and how you can help. Identify projects that allow you to tap into your strengths and shine a little. Far more motivating than only working on projects you’re given.
- Get clear about your goals. There’s nothing worse than feeling untethered, like you have no direction. I don’t know about you, but I can go around in circles in my head for weeks trying to figure out what I want to do. 10 minutes into a conversation with a friend, and all of a sudden I have a plan. Talk to someone to help you get clear about your career goals. Then, schedule time with your boss to talk about ways s/he might help you get there. You never know until you ask, and initiating forward movement is energizing.
- Be a joiner. It sounds a little Pollyanna, but putting yourself out there at work events is a surefire way to shake yourself out of a rut and broaden your network (which will most definitely come in handy in whatever you do next). Take a professional development class to add to your skill set (especially if your HR department offers them for free!). Participate in company-sponsored volunteer events with co-workers, or organize one yourself. Drop by after-work socials. Join a women’s business group. Sometimes developing relationships with co-workers outside of the normal day-to-day can help you feel happier and more motivated at the office. And putting yourself out in the world can lead to all kinds of unexpected and interesting opportunities.
Create work you love.
If your inner entrepreneur is ready to bust out…
- Take stock. Start by asking yourself what turns you on. What lights you up? What do people thank you for all the time? When you think about your “perfect day,” what are you doing? What are your strengths? Hold these questions in the back of your head and jot down the answers as they come up. (I love Evernote for keeping notes on the go.) These are your clues to your “true north,” the gift you can give the world as an entrepreneur. Other resources for identifying your strengths: The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms, by Danielle LaPorte; Now Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham. (I’ve not read the Marcus Buckingham title yet, but I know a few people who found it really helpful. And Danielle LaPorte will indeed light your fire.)
- Fill in the blanks. If you need to learn anything or acquire new skills to make your dream biz a reality, do it now! I knew I wanted to build a business around health and wellness and helping people find balance. And while I was already the de facto “expert” on the subject among friends and family, I didn’t have any formal training on how to deliver the information in a way that would help people get results. So I I went back to school to study coaching and nutrition and invested in a comprehensive Pilates certification program. A note of caution: Don’t get too hung up in the “but I don’t know how to do it” trap. You may already have all the skills you need to do what you want to do. So just start doing it. And don’t forget that knowing where your brilliance lies…and outsourcing some of the other stuff…is absolutely key to business-building success.
- Make a buck. Whatever it is you want to put out in the world, put it out there! If you make amazing cookies and think people might pay you for them, offer to make some for a party. If you’re a graphic designer with a particular talent for small business web design, start asking friends if they know anyone who might want a freelance designer. I hear stories every day about businesses built from “oh yeah, I just started doing it on the side for fun.” Start getting paid for your “extra-curricular” knowledge. People want to learn what you know (or eat what you can bake)!
- Get support. Going it alone can be isolating and, in many cases, a recipe for creative constipation. (I’m a health coach. Digestive analogies are top of mind for me, sorry.) Build or join a community of entrepreneurs and small business owners ASAP, even if you don’t yet have a fully formed business idea. It may take some trial and error before you find the right crew for you, but they’re out there. And, girl!, women entrepreneur friends will HAVE YOUR BACK from day one. The two groups I’m most active in are CRAVE and Marie Forleo’s B-School, both of which have members all over the country (and world, for that matter). Check them out.
Now it’s your turn. Tell me in the comments what you’ll do THIS WEEK to start loving the work you have or creating work you love.
P.S. Ready to live your dream? If you’re interested in joining the amazing B-School community and choose to do it through my link, you’ll get an exclusive “Kickstart Your Energy” health coaching package (a $550 value):
- A month of health coaching with me in a small group just for those who sign up for B-School through my link, including two 50-minute coaching sessions by phone or Skype + unlimited email coaching in between sessions + recipes and resources to help you boost your energy immediately (so you can shine in everything you do!).
- Complimentary access to my March webinar (date and topic to be announced).
That’s THREE HOURS with me to dig into your goals for your health, figure out what might be getting in the way of your reaching them, and come up with some things you can do right now to get “unstuck” and feeling better fast. What better way to kick butt at B-School than by making self care a number one priority?
Plus, in the spirit of Marie’s B-School and its mission of making money while changing the world, I’ll donate a portion of my B-School affiliate commissions to Kiva, an organization dedicated to “connecting people through lending to alleviate poverty.”
B-SCHOOL IS OPEN! Sign up now before registration closes.
xoxo,
