This is the second post in The Two-Week Work Detox, a series of 6 posts coming at you this week and next.
Often at work and in life we become so accustomed to living out other people’s expectations of us we spend most of our time on automatic pilot doing task after task without consideration for whether it actually serves us any useful purpose or not.
What do you really, really want?
That’s really the crux of today’s post. Because unless you can answer that question clearly, and put your energy behind achieving it, you’re going to find it difficult to break free from any toxic work practices.
So, the first step of the detox process is to take time to figure out what your own goals are.
Now, I’m not asking you to regurgitate the targets you’ve agreed with your board or senior manager, or the goals you’ve written in your 2010 goal-setting form. They may – or may not – be part of the equation. Rather, I’m challenging you to think about yourself.
Here’s how.
Take half an hour or so – longer if you can – and set your imagination free. In your mind, picture yourself having the working life of your dreams:
- What are you doing?
- Where are you doing it?
- Who is working with you? What role are they playing in your picture?
- When are you doing it?
- How are you doing it?
- What purpose does this work serve in your life?
- How does it reward you?
- What else, other than work, is integral to this picture.
- Who, other than your work colleagues, are important to you in this picture.
- What are you thinking, and how are you feeling about considering your working life in this way?
That’s it for today, folks. The next post, and the next step in the detox process is coming up this Friday. Don’t miss it. Subscribehere for email updates.
If you want any help with this, email me at christine@adifferentkindofwork.com, pick up the phone on +44 (0) 7767 244977, or catch me on Twitter.
Oh, and don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how you get on!
Introducing The Two-Week Work Detox Series
Related posts:
This is great Christine – it’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else wants you to do or even assume your work goals are your own goals. They might be but taking the time to really think for yourself and get clear what makes you happy is invaluable. These last two years I feel like I am finally working on my own dreams and it feels so good. I will use your exercise later – I still have lots more I want to do!
Jen
Thanks for taking the time to share this, Jen. It is indeed easy to assume that what you’re focused on is your own, so it’s well worth checking out that that’s true. I’m happy for you that you’ve been following your own heart for the last couple of years, and hope nevertheless that the questions give the opportunity even to tweak some of those ambitions, and confirm your resolve!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Grant Griffiths, JulieWalraven, Christine Livingston, Jen Smith, Christopher Jackson and others. Christopher Jackson said: RT @coblyn: First, set yourself goals http://goo.gl/fb/4h0tp [...]
Twitter: CoachScotland
Hi Christine
The questions really get to the heart of the matter. The one suggestion I would make is when people answer the questions do not think about “how or what else could I do” Just answer the questions honestly and listen to your thoughts and dreams – they are a very valuable part of the process.
I have a suspicion that the “how” or “what else” will be covered in later posts.
.-= Marion Anderson´s last blog ..How to Create a Perfect Day =-.
Thanks, Marion. That’s a good suggestion to build on the exercise here. I’m trying to encourage as open a personal response to the questions as possible. Astutely, you pick up that the “how else” and the “what else” possibilities emerge from allowing that space. And indeed it’s something I’m picking up on right at the beginning of Friday’s post! I’d love to hear your thoughts and any augmentations you’d offer to that too!
Appreciate your being here!
Twitter: bigfishtopdogs
Hi again Christine,
I love the “having already arrived” approach — seeing yourself as if you are already there. It is hugely effective… how else can the universe know what you you want if you do not have clear intentions?
And, you know what else I love about this approach? By doing the exercise the way you present it, you are not being specific as to how you will achieve this dream life. So… it can come in many forms — in ways you may not have even dreamed of!
Nice addition to the series!
Theresa
.-= Theresa Bradley-Banta´s last blog ..You… Just Like Clark Kent Glasses… No Glasses =-.
Thanks Theresa! I think our minds – and the organising power of the universe around them – are more powerful than we often appreciate. Focusing too much on our “As Is” lives only encourages, in my opinion, more of the same. Of course it’s important to understand how the present needs to be changed to achieve our visions – something I’ll be touching on in another post – but putting our primary attention there is counter productive.
Good to see you again, and thanks for a rich comment!
[...] been following The Two-Week Work Detox Series so far, you’ll have a good idea now of what you want to achieve from your working [...]
[...] Time Shifting For Success Written on August 11, 2010 0 Comments – Have your say – leave a comment! If you’ve been reading The Two-Week Work Detox Series, and following along with the exercises, I suspect you’re already starting to suss out that how you’re focussing your time and energy right now is out of step with what you really want. [...]
You can’t beat a bit of visualisation and goal setting Christine! Love it.
It’s so important to decide on what you want your life to look and feel like before you try and change it. By creating a compelling future you’ll go after it in the real world like never before!
Couldn’t have put it better myself, Ben!
[...] First, Set Yourself Goals gave you an exercise to help you get clear about what you really, really want from life. [...]