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| Photo taken from: http://charliesaidthat.com/digital/opinion/the-only-thing-that-matters-is-helping-people/ |
This has been the motivating factor throughout my life: needing purpose. If I can't find a purpose, beyond great benefits and an above average paycheque, I can't find happiness in my job. Without happiness, there is no motivation. This unhappiness seeps into my life, putting strains on my family, relationships with my friends, and my overall well-being.
But I know I'm not special. People need purpose. People need to know when they pick up a phone, or send a fax that they are making someone else's life easier. Otherwise, what I call the "nasties" seeps into a workplace. And once the nasties seep in, good luck getting them out; it could take a generation.
When I took a promotion, I commuted to the larger city next door. Here I worked at the hub--Head Office--where people are pulled into projects and made to feel included in decisions. It was amazing! The purpose of work shone everywhere. I was inspired to work on my own time, even though I was still a paper-pushing glorified clerk. I was happy.
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| Photo taken from: http://www.healingthatfeeling.com/how-to-be-happy |
But those around me weren't all feeling the same way. They didn't participate in the same things I did. The nasties had slipped in long ago, and try as I might, it was near-impossible to get rid of them. Eventually I lost my focus, and let a little of those nasties in, giving up my commute and returning to the branch where I started.
And wow, was I ever inspired when I arrived. The pure motivation that came from the promotion when I returned was pumped with an adrenaline of happiness. This brought more opportunities, putting me exactly where I wanted to be.
But then the nasties slipped in. Over the last year-and-a-half I let the negativity that hid in the corners, take over my motivation, my happiness, and my purpose at work. I let the nasties affect me when I could have done something about it.
It's easy to forget, only you are in control of your happiness. Only you can prevent the nasties.
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| Photo taken from: http://historiccamdencounty.com/ccnews89.shtml |
I've taken inspiration leadership classes before. What they don't tell you is even an entry-level employee can be a leader to themselves. I have spent the last few years seeking inspirational leadership when I should have been looking inward all along. I started to make a list of why my job was important; a list that didn't include the economical side of things.
My list became my inspiration to do better each day. My list became my motivation. I want to share my list with others, who might be affected in their jobs, so that they can be re-inspired in their work.
1. You deserve your job.
No matter what anyone tells you, or feels about you, you got that position. Whether you tested for it, interviewed for it, or it was handed to you, someone on the other side believes in you and knows that you're the right person for it.
2. You are good at your job.
You wouldn't still have it if you weren't! It's easy to get overwhelmed by the volume in your job, as well as the constant pressures to work faster, do it better, and not fail. But do you think someone else wouldn't feel the same way? No matter who is in your job, everyone would feel the same pressures. Don't let these pressures take over. You are good at your job.
3. You make the lives of other people better, because of your job.
This is true no matter what position you have, but sometimes to realize it, you have to determine who your customer is. Map out what you do. Do you answer phones? Someone on the other end of that call needs something. Do you scan paper? Someone at a desk needs to see that document. Do you mop floors? Someone needs to walk on a clean floor, without tripping in debris. I don't care what your job is. You make the lives of other people better, because of the work you do.
A few months ago, a coworker in a cubicle next to me said, "We really do have the best job in the world. We help people." This still resonates within me. It was the seed that grew inside me, finally breaking through the surface in the last couple weeks. I help people.
It is hard to remember this at times, when weighed down by everything else, but yesterday I took two calls, and both customers were overly grateful for the assistance I provided. They weren't even huge deals, just simple set-ups. I sat back in my chair, realizing my entire demeanor had changed in the last two weeks. I worked on finding inspiration in my work, and it paid off.
You are a leader to your customers.
You are important. Your job is important. Don't forget that. Ever.
