4.3M people quit their jobs in August 2021 (Washington Post). This phenomenon dubbed the “Great Resignation”, has resulted in 10M open jobs and has flipped the workforce on its head (Harvard Business Review).
How will this trend affect the future of work? It is hard to know, but the new emphasis on employee happiness and fulfillment is here to stay.
At a glance
No questions + no why = no value
Your work problems may just be you problems
This week’s episode
Let’s dive in.
THE PROBLEM
Being directionless sucks
Lack of clarity about the work you are doing and your impact on your organization can ruin a job and drive you crazy. Unfortunately, finding yourself lost and dissatisfied at work is all too common.
Work without a why is waste
If you are so busy that you don’t have time to stop and think about what you are doing, wasteful activity is occurring. Around 5% of business activity is value-producing. With that in mind, most of the work you are doing is wasteful and is hurting your organization, your coworkers, and yourself. The key lies in identifying which activity is value-producing and cutting out the rest.
Questions are asked by the strong, not the weak
Asking questions is commonly looked at as a sign of weakness and ignorance. In reality, the opposite is true. When beginning a project, asking questions helps you and your team clarify the project goals and ensure that you are all on the same page.
Getting stuck in the “should”
We tend to avoid asking questions when we are doing what we think we should be doing. This is when we think we are doing what has been asked of us so we do not take the time to think about the action itself. Living in the “should” causes a mindless completion of tasks without a true understanding of why you are doing them in the first place.
Truvle Challenge Actionable ways for you to put Truvle concepts into practice.
Interrogate your work before you start. Before starting a project ask yourself: Is this project creating value for the business? Do I know why I am doing this project?
learn more about this on this week's Truvle Podcast
THE SOLUTION
The solution lies inside
Though it may feel like the best idea, quitting your job is usually not the solution to your work problems. When you find yourself frustrated and overwhelmed with your work, take a step back and ask yourself the following:
Am I adding value to the project and company?
Are my boundaries clearly defined and communicated?
Am I avoiding conflict?
What matters most to you?
At the end of the day, it is your career. Understanding what motivates you is key to happiness and success at work. Do you want to make an impact? Are you motivated by money? When your work matches your “why”, you’re able to gain momentum and create value much easier.
What are you bringing to the table?
When thinking about your organization, you should be honest with yourself about what qualities you bring with you. What dynamic do you bring to your organization? Being a blind follower that does what they are told hurts, not helps. Lead by example by practicing radical transparency and honesty and your coworkers will likely follow.
Create space
Regularly creating space for reflection and self-awareness helps both personally and professionally. By creating space to stop and think about the projects that you are doing, you are able to keep your “whys” in mind. Honest and open reflection can help you avoid getting stuck in the “should” and doing wasteful activities.
Truvle Challenge Actionable ways for you to put Truvle concepts into practice.
Audit yourself. Set time regularly to identify what is important to you and the purpose of the work you are doing. Understand what you are bringing to your organization. How can you change to help your organization?
learn more about this on this week's Truvle Podcast
THE EXIT TICKET the important things to keep in mind
Your happiness is important. Know why you are doing things before you do them. If you don’t know why then ask.
Think before you do. Interrogating your work to ensure that it is value-producing helps you and your company.
Ask questions when you are given an assignment or start working on a project.
THE PODCAST
Episode 7 | Why Transforming Your Business Starts With Understanding Yourself
This episode is full of golden nuggets. You’ll learn…
How to add value to any project
The single thing you can do to come across as strong, engaged, and confident while enabling useful activity at work
How to act in a way that promotes your ability to lead
What kind of approach to activity is sustainable and most beneficial to YOU in the long run
PLUS, other tips you can use immediately to further your career and look out for the interest of your organization
There’s a single idea at the basis of all of these.
We’ll give you a hint… It starts with you.
Take us with you on your morning commute or stroll to your home office: