How do you choose to approach your career and your livelihood?

Work can be defined as an ongoing physical and mental effort that we choose to embark on, where we use our growing abilities to make progress, achieve outcomes and earn a living. 

Without meaningful work, we have less to direct our attention and energy towards, and fewer opportunities for growth; as well as the decreased ability to accumulate the resources that we need to live comfortably, and make choices about the direction of our lives.

There is great satisfaction in building and growing a skill, and using it to benefit others and yourself, in business or in the world; it is gratifying to accumulate expertise in an area of interest. 

The quality of the work we choose to do can invigorate us, and inspire others. But the opposite is also true and sometimes, if we allow it to, our work can become a chore that erodes our energy rather than adds to it. Tasks become rote; we stick to our comfort zone, or we get zapped with continual overload, and feel far less of the satisfaction that initially brought us such a sense of accomplishment.

Having resources is necessary to live, and work is a way to accumulate them. 

For many, work is a means to an end – but it can become more fulfilling and worthwhile when we focus on doing meaningful work and commit to saving with intention.

Give some thought to the following questions about your work; pause to reflect on your answers, and consider the unique choices available to you. 

For example: Do you believe you have reached your full potential, or is there more room for growth (in your company, in your industry, or in your goals)? What steps can you take from where you are to begin fulfilling more of your potential?

Does your level of health play a role in the quality of your work? What can you do more of, and less of, to improve the quality of your health, and the quality of your work? 

How well do you perform in your current position, and how much effort do you give to what you do? What work environment allows you to excel, and how can you keep curating this for yourself?

What reputation would you like to have at work, from your customers, suppliers and colleagues or staff? Are you saving enough? What can you do, from this month, to improve in this area?

Our career does not need to be our great life’s passion to work for us – but if we bring our best self and our best efforts to our workplace of choice, there’s a great chance that we will continue to move the needle on both our opportunities and our earnings, and provide ourselves with the resources to spend our leisure time in ways that bring us happiness. 

Shift the way that you think about your work, and watch how this breathes new life into your career.

Here are some positive actions that you can consider: 

You can focus on being the very best that you can be at what you have chosen to do. Take the quality of your work incredibly seriously, and consciously build on and add to your reputation.

Continuously work on a healthful lifestyle (sleep, healthy food, movement, relaxation) so that you are bringing the best version of yourself to work, as well as back home to your family.

Try to create your own unique work culture, and ways of work; decide what your rules of engagement are, and stick to them. Be punctual, don’t accept unachievable deadlines, submit your contribution early and qualitatively, choose not to multitask, or to let unnecessary distractions affect your output.

Don’t hesitate to stretch yourself! What else can you learn that will improve your skill set? If you are unhappy with your career, what can you start to learn that will set you on a new career path? Be patient – it is never too late to do something new.

If you are unhappy, stagnating or unemployed, actively seek other opportunities, and remain as open as you can to alternatives. Do something every day towards finding something new (a short course, send your CV to five companies, reach out to one connection, or make an intimidating phone call). Allocate your energy to serious action, rather than to actively disliking what you are currently doing.

Save! Always. Don’t wait for the bigger salary but rather prune your expenses. Resources give you stability, and choice. There should be no place, ever, for wasteful expenditure.

Your work does not have to fit anyone’s definition but your own – there can be just as much satisfaction in running a company as there is in managing a home and family, or motivating a team as there is in designing your own workspace. 

We can choose to create ordered, positive workplaces, populated with contented people and growth. 

All require clear thinking, healthful energy, saving strategies and problem prevention plans; and all require your commitment to quality; and your best efforts.

Benjamin Franklin believed that “well done is better than well said”. Choose to care for your career with solid actions, and over time it will continue to care for you. DM