When I reimagined my work, big things started happening…
“I can’t believe this is my life!” I say this several times a week on a regular basis, but the during week that I get to spend at the beach with my teenage children and their friends each year I say it multiple times a day!
Before my layoff, I’d take vacation time (and still work…my choice…check out my pre-2022 posts) and I’d love every minute.. As an entrepreneur there are no “vacation days” only days you work and days you don’t, so now I chose to work from a alternative location to continue to serve my clients while my family vacations.
It’s possible that you are in a stage of your career where you can make similar decisions (hooray for you), but it also possible that you aren’t. If you are in a career stage that doesn’t give you as much flexibility as you might want, take peace knowing that it will come (maybe even when you least expect it).
I know that many of you are dealing with change. It might be Return to Office or restructure/layoffs, learning how to AI-proof your job, or a huge list of other things. Whatever it is, fight the urge to “just keep moving” and instead use it as a reset.
1. Look for value in the new situation. Will you get to practice a new skill? Will you get to meet new people? Will you get to try a new way of working? There is always something to be learned.
2. Nurture your relationships. Make sure to maintain a connection with the people who are important to you. Be open to new relationships that might develop. While your circumstances may change outside of your control, the people you choose to connect with is within your control.
Protect your boundaries. Do you really understand your non-negotiables? If not, start figuring that out now. Do you know how to effectively communicate your needs with your leader and your team? If not, start practicing now. Do you know what your next move would be? If not, start dreaming (and preparing) now.
3. Actively seek feedback and use it to grow. For me, feedback is a way to check & adjust, to support my continuous improvement, and to make sure I am delivering a good product. For me, asking for and (actually) getting feedback is critical to my long term success, so I make a big deal out of it. With all my audiences, I don't just ask for feedback, I make sure they know I really want it, and my favorite way is by asking them to return the feedback in the form of a paper airplane. As a leader, what you are doing to make sure people know you want to hear from them?