For the last few months, the phrase “quiet quitting” has had some traction online, and frankly, I don’t understand the mentality. Oh, I clearly comprehend the issues that drive it and the subsequent irrational reaction of “big business” to the idea, but as I reflect on my own experience as an employee, I’m reminded that a “good job” goes hand in hand with a “good company.”
Let’s face it – most training is only designed to do one thing – make you better at what you do. More efficient, faster, and better on the Job. Most of the time, training – as its sold to employees – is only about showing them a baseline for competency and efficiency.
On the other hand, who is responsible for making an employee “better?” Is a company to rely on itself to develop employees’ holistically, or is that a personal journey? I believe it can be shown that life experiences create better employees, but who helps to facilitate those experiences? In a world filled to overflowing with efficiency ideas, apps, and podcasts, here’s four things we all can work on, no matter our age, our position, or our salary:
- Understand what it is you want to actually do. Sure, this seems easy, but it isn’t! Most, employees and business owners started out by proxy – the situation fell into their laps, such as it was. They were looking for income and this situation presented itself. If you never took the time to set your goals, though, then how can you ever reach them? Put those goals on paper and keep them where you see them every day.
- Build a system that you can review. Yes, companies should be reviewing the work of their employees, but how many of us review ourselves? At least once a quarter, you need to be able to look into the metrics of your work. How many leads need to be generated to close one sale? How many potential clients need to be spoken with to convert them to paying customers? What is the actual value of a client over a month? A year? Without data like this (and much more!) it can be hard to grow in your current situation AND enjoy the other aspects of your own life.
- Look for efficiency, not just brilliance. Observe the actions in the company, especially those whom you look up to. That might be responding to emails or following up with customers, but somebody in the office demonstrates strokes of brilliance. Sales people that seem to always close the deal, customer service reps that always take care of the client. How can you incorporate those pieces into your own systems to make your job easier?
- Be in it for the race, not the sprint. Building a career is not a short-term process. I’ve often argued that the only career worth building is one that can actually NOT draw you away from your other goals (which is why those are so important to have), but understand this: if you want only short-term success, your income and life goals will likely go unfulfilled. If you want to create a career of real value, then set your sights on taking actions that allow you to improve, even if no one is noticing (yet).
Is this all easy? No, and no one said it would be. In the end, though, you are not designed to be average, and your actions – at work and at home – will be the ones that elevate you, your career, and your personal life.
All the best-
Sincerely,
