MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

Have you ever bought a raffle ticket or attended an event and on your ticket it was printed, “Must be Present to Win”?  Sometimes I have felt like it was a ploy because I was so ready to leave, but I didn’t want to miss my chance.  Other times I was so engaged in the event I wanted to stay regardless of the raffle potential. Being engaged made the difference.

Engagement is such a critical piece of the satisfaction quotient when it comes to enjoying a career.  You really do have to be present to win.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and numerous other sources, employment engagement numbers vary between 30-40%.  That means more than half of the people in the work force are not engaged in their work….they may be physically present, but they are not “Present to Win”

Athletes are notorious believers in similar beliefs: “Nothing left in the tank” or “Leave it all on the field”.  But the concept applies to more than sports.  Just like soft skills transfer across so many career options, success can happen anywhere, but you MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. 

Being present is NOT demonstrated by, being late, frequent interruptions using social media not associated with the task at hand, conversations with peer colleagues about negative work conditions or other issues that do not further your positive movement forward.

Being present IS demonstrated by on-time behavior, limited personal interruptions, focused time on task, deadlines met and positive work quality. 

So, are you Present to Win?  Do your actions support your goals for a positive outcome?  What is your purpose and are you building toward it in an effective manner?  Think about it…every single day is a bit of a lottery and we have one ticket, one chance, to make it a win at the end of the day. 

Are you Present to Win?

Career Conundrum

When billionaire Mike Bloomberg spoke to the recent graduates of Harvard Business School about their careers, he told them, “Make decisions based on the quality of the opportunity and where you’ll have the most fun and the most room for growth.”  His message to them was rooted in understanding themselves.  It’s a lot like the message Erika Boissiere wrote about in her April 22, 2019 Forbes magazine article, “When You’ve Made the Wrong Career Choice”.  She says, “You can’t shelve unhappiness forever.”

Identifying the Career Conundrum:

Rarely does a week go by that I do not get a phone call, email, or run into someone who is experiencing disappointment in their career choice.  They are in a Career Conundrum, with the nagging questions of:

  • Do I stay or do I go?
  • What else can I do?
  • How do I know I won’t feel this same way 5 years from now?

So, is she right?  Does unhappiness keep you awake at night, distract you while you work and drive, gnaw at your stomach, and diminish your performance?  That feeling of being stuck is a miserable place to live.

People who love their work are highly motivated.  But I believe that everyone has the potential to be highly motivated.  Finding the “right fit” career is key.  In fact motivation is one of the five key pillars of Emotional Intelligence and key to career success.

Counter the Career Conundrum:

Are you ready for a successful process? Contact me about taking The Highlands Ability Battery and creating a new path!  Finding the “right fit” career is a process and requires an investment in self.  Investing is the act of putting something in, like time, money, effort.  We invest in our 401k and we expect an improved outcome.  Why would anyone invest endless hours at a job that doesn’t feel right when there are so many other options?