You worked for 20 years to get this job you've always wanted. Only now it doesn't look or feel like you thought it would. Pssst...c'mon, we're breakin' outta here. (*Spoiler alert, you may or may not have to actually leave your cube.)
This comic* makes painfully obvious that uncomfortable feeling many workers have when they reflect on how they are spending their time. Me with every new job: "What an exciting new challenge! This is finally the job I've been searching for." Then a year in, I'm complaining to my work-wife about this boring project and daydreaming about what's next. Well, it turns out there's a lot of psychology behind that feeling, and the good news is, we don't have to take drastic steps to shed that "never satisfied" feeling. All we have to do is treat this job like it's an internship.
Treat every job like it's an internship
Ah, your first internship: taking notes at meetings, cold calling people to get or give information, compiling data into spreadsheets that might as well have been Magic Eye posters for all the information they gave you, but wow, did you impress your boss! "Take Paula, she needs to meet some of those people," were my favorite words. Everything I was doing was new, educational, and (probably) very, very important.
You can take some of that Fresh-faced Intern energy into your cubicle every day.
What would happen now if you treated your current job like an internship?
Could saying yes to that new project expand your skillset?
Would you be eager to meet new colleagues? They might somehow hold the key to your fulfillment at this company! or you might hold the key to theirs - how satisfying!
What if you joined an ad hoc team that could revolutionize how you impact customers?
Will you position yourself as a niche expert now, so that when your company is looking to hire someone in that field, you're already on their minds?
What would it look like if you treated your job like you would only be around for 6 months?
Do you get energized by a short-term gig?
Would you hustle to make an impact?
How many more people could you make a "first impression" on?
I'm always looking for ways to wake up in the morning and get excited about the day - you've probably guessed by now that I get preeeetty excited about stuff, but that makes the slog all the more sloggy when it comes. A new team project, an important production that's due in just two weeks, a supporting role while I learn from some experts in a new staff area: these are the things that help me know I'm making an impact and growing as a professional person.
If you're ready for a change but you aren't ready to break up with your work-wife, give me a call and let's find a fresh way for you to get excited about work again. In the words of a recent client: "Since working with Paula, my co-workers are asking me: 'Why do you seem happy?'" Let's work together to find ways for you to smile more**.
*Special thanks to Mikey Heller for letting me feature your work!
**I mean, you've been humming to yourself since I said "never satisfied," right? Otherwise, what even are you listening to while you sweep and mop the floor?
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