You’ve spent enough time on the outskirts, playing it safe. I know you’re tired and discouraged. I’ve been there. But sitting on the bench is wasting your talent and hindering good work from getting done – are you probably aren’t experiencing any career growth! Step onto the field and play your heart out.
If you aren’t ready to do that, then perhaps it IS time to consider finding something new. But, before you go there – please try these steps!
There is power in reframing your perspective when you’re cloudy at work. I shared three strategies on this a few weeks ago. In last week's post I discussed a technique I’ve found to be helpful in reclaiming your voice after we’ve slowly turned the volume down over and over through the years (add link when published). But the biggest step for all of us, the choice we need to make daily when we show up to work…RE-ENGAGE!
As Theodore Roosevelt said,
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
It Ain't Easy
There aren’t “3 easy steps to reengage” and stay engaged. There are tips and tricks, podcasts, blogs (hi!) and entire books (hell, I’m even writing one!) to help guide you in reengaging, staying engaged and even on finding a new thing to get engaged in. They’re vital in putting new tools in your toolbelt and getting reinvigorated when your tank is empty.
The truth is, though, if you don’t WANT to reengage and stay engaged, none of those resources are going to help you! Not even if you wash your face or stop apologizing, girl! (Shout out to the most popular author/speaker around right now, Rachel Hollis)
Decide, Decide, Decide
The empowering part of life is also the thing that can scare us the most. We have a choice.
Actually, we have hundreds of choices we make in a day. Are they influenced by others? Yup. But in the end, do we own them? Yup. So, if you are committed to getting in the arena – and reentering again and again – then accept your decision.
Accept your chosen profession. Accept where you work. Accept the role you took. And then work your ass off to make an impact in it.
Accept that it won’t be perfect, you’ll mess up, people will disappoint you and it’s going to be messy. It can also be beautiful, inspiring, deeply fulfilling, and contain endless opportunities for growth.
Settle, Accept, and Maximize!
Once you accept the reality – and value- of your work, you can go about maximizing two things – what you give to it and what you get from it.
Being an entrepreneur gets a lot of press and prestige. Yet, a small percentage of our population are truly meant to be business owners or entrepreneurs. There are millions of talented humans who have creative or “entrepreneurial” talents that can, and should be, applied to the work they’re doing. INTRApreneurs, if you will.
So, imagine that you’ve just been hired for your role. AND in the offer they say, we want you to make this role the best it can be for the organization. Doesn’t that permission and empowerment feel good? Give that permission to yourself to do your job in the best way you know how, applying your natural strengths and making an impact.
The bonus of it is this…you are going to gain SO MUCH! Your company might provide formal job training, but that’s not nearly as impactful as what you learn on the job or from mentors. So, pay attention and leverage the heck out of where you are RIGHT NOW!
When you keep your commitment and maximize your impact it WILL take you where you want to go. Perhaps another role, promotion, new employer, side hustle, or out on your own. You’ll get there faster when you maximize your impact and your time where you’re at right now.
Join me in the arena and reengage – daily, if you have to! It’s hot and challenging, but it comes with the best views and biggest impact!
Peace and Progress,
Anna
P.s. I know you may be at a point where you can’t accept it and you may need to make a different choice. I see you and know how tough that is. I’ll share a bit on how to handle that over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
P.p.s. This is the last in my 3-part series on #reframereclaimreengage. I’d love your feedback on how this has worked for you. Don’t forget to tag me with the hashtags #reframereclaimreengage and #werestorehumanity.