“Sustaining
work that works for you requires a balance that goes beyond any single factor.”
We make compromises as we make decisions that will
get us where we want to go. It’s not always easy, but it should still be
enjoyable in the right percentage… all in balance, know what I mean?
Reflecting on having achieved the goals you wanted
is very important. How can you learn from what you have done and make the
necessary adjustments in your path to work better towards goals.
As much as I LOVE working for any particular
organization, I also need to enjoy the actual content I’m working on, as I
develop training for that content. In no particular order, when it comes to
training, I look for rewards in these three buckets.
- The Company
- The Content
- The Creativity
The Company
What does the company do? What is the nature of
their work? What is the culture of the company? What kinds of people are
attracted to the company?
The Content
Do you like the actual content of the tasks you are
given? Is writing, designing or creating around a specific topic interesting,
and does it make you curious to learn about it?
The Creativity
How much of “yourself,” can you bring to the table?
This means, how unique can the results be, or has the form of the product
already been determined? The amount it has been determined can impact how
interesting the process will be—at least in my experience.
In the
training environment
This looks different for everyone, but I would especially
encourage consultants to reflect on these three Cs when working on projects. With
consulting, these three factors will likely change often, but even in the midst
of a full-time staff job, the three Cs can be applied. While there may be
factors more logistical—like how your 3 hour commute is killing your
motivation—these 3 factors are about the work itself—after you immerse yourself
in the culture and details of an organization.
As a bit of a generalist, I find I work across many
types of projects and skill sets, but I also find that I have my preferences
around these three areas—and it may only be revealed during the development of training with a company. Training concepts
can be applied to all kinds of companies, and this can almost make the job look
completely different—but often it will not look different in the job
description, so reflecting on the three Cs early in the process can be
advantageous to your overall happiness in the work place.
Reflection is an ongoing process, as you and your
projects will most likely change often. Try to walk into your own “hall of
mirrors” regularly.
Cheers!
m
