As the champagne bubbles from the New Year celebrations fade into memory, something else is rising on the inside of you as you face the work year ahead.
What is that feeling?
Is it anticipation? Dread? Anxiety? Excitement?
Pay close attention to those feelings as you make your way back to the office. Were you looking forward to the escape and dreading the inevitable return to chaos? Or are you grateful for the break but amped to jump into action and take on new challenges with your team?
The answer to that question provides a clue into the driving force of your work life. You are either working for yourself – where you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how to get there. Or you are working for someone else – doing what your boss wants you to do just to get paid the salary and go home.
One reality has you thriving – the other one has you stuck in survival mode.
It’s not possible to bring your best to work when you’re either not sure what “your best” is, or you haven’t yet found your “passion pocket” – the thing that you love to do and others will gladly pay you to do.
While finding one’s ‘sweet spot’ is a personal journey, your life is entirely in your hands. You don’t have to stay stuck. You have more options that you might imagine.
And if you love what you’re currently doing, challenge yourself to expand the borders of your current experience.
You only get one life.
And you decide who you will work for.
Work week reflection question: Am I working to achieve my potential or just to meet the expectations of others?