This past Friday I was in downtown Washington DC visiting
some coaching clients. The building I work out of on Fridays is multi
story and requires visitors to check in with security and sign in. A
middle-aged woman was working behind the desk. I asked her how she was
doing. Her reply was a cheery "great, today is Friday!"
Ironically, the Friday before there was a different woman
working behind that desk and her reply was exactly the same. In fact, my
personal experience tells me most people are at their very best, their very
happiest, on Friday. Monday through Thursday seems to put most folks in a
depressed, mechanical trance. Take a look at the people who are sitting
next to you on the bus or Metro those days. Look at the people on either
side of you as you sit in traffic on the highway. Lots of drab,
emotionless expressions...
The question is, why does happiness in life have to
revolve around getting through the workweek and into the weekend? Does a
working life need to be one of pre-planned, five day misery?
Absolutely not!
As a career coach, I work with many people who've been
laid off. While most are shocked and depressed, many of them are slightly
relieved that the daily grind received a respite. My job is to work with
them to not only get A job, but their DREAM job. It's a very exciting
prospect, but most rewarding when a client tells me they no longer dread
Mondays. If this sounds like you, then pay attention while I list out the components
of a DREAM job. You dream job fits your:
1. Passion - the things in life that energize
you, motivate you, and completely interest you. While working in your
passion area, time flies and you would even consider doing these kinds of
activities as a volunteer.
2. Personality - the way you are
"hard-wired." A personality fit is one where you feel energized,
challenged but not beat up, organized in the way that suits you, and structured
into a perfect fit.
3. Strengths and Natural Abilities - the
abilities and talents that are a perfect match. Everyone has these, but if
this is a perfect fit, then each of your special gifts and talents are used to
the fullest.
4. Preference - the specifics of the job
itself. This could be the company size, the location, the amount of job
challenge, the degree of autonomy and flexibility.
5. Goals - the hopes and dreams you have for
the future. These are mostly long-term and have little to do with
end-states (such as being "happy" or "successful")
Can you have it all? Absolutely! Let me
suggest that if those five components are met, money won't seem quite as
important, you'll enjoy what you do, and most of all, you will no longer live
for Friday!
So this week, take a good hard look at your work
life. Ask yourself about your attitude towards Friday and Monday. If you
live for the former and dread the latter, then maybe now is the time for a
complete career makeover. Take some steps this week to establish some
goals and identify areas you could leverage into a new and rewarding career.
Not telling you what to do, just offering you a
suggestion!
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