What I Believe About You

You were born with a unique set of gifts,
talents and abilities and your “job”
is to figure out them out so that you
can make your unique contribution to
the world and be richly rewarded for it.

You are free to do work you love.
Forget what you learned about work having to be “labor, drudgery and toil” and insist on your right to be happy at work. Yes, most of us have to work in order to be responsible adults, but no one said that you have to suffer for it. Work can be fun. Work can be fulfilling. Work can be meaningful. Don’t settle for less.

RECOMMENDATION: If you are in a soul-sucking job, make plans to move. You don’t have to leave right away. You just need to make a plan and take steps towards your goal. And, it’s never too soon to start. BOTTOMLINE: Be proactive, get out there and create work that works for you.

You are free to choose how to use your talents in the world.
If you were like me, you were told to develop skills so that you would be employable. But, if you want to be truly irreplaceable at work, you will learn how to discover and use your talents. Skills can be taught; talents are innate, inborn and cannot be easily replicated. Talents are what you do well, what comes so naturally to you that it doesn’t feel like work. Find opportunities where you can refine your talents, express your talents, and appreciate your talents.

RECOMMENDATION: Don’t stay in a job that won’t allow you to use your gifts for they will wither if unused. Find a company, a partner, a client that will appreciate your gifts. Please try to do more than use your skills. If you weave your skills and experience together with your talents, not only will you be unstoppable, you will be memorable and make that contribution which you seek. You will also be better paid.

You are free to ask to be paid fairly for the value you provide.
It’s only right that you are paid fairly for your contribution. There is (almost) nothing worse than going “over and above” and giving your company your all, while they are paying you dirt. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you are worth. And, if they won’t pay, move on.

RECOMMENDATION: If you are underpaid, you have several choices. You can quit (not always the best option, but sometimes necessary). Stay in place until you find something else. Or, stay at your job, but stop giving 110%. Do what they ask. Perform your skill. Work within traditional office hours. Leave your job at the office when you go home. They are not paying you enough to improve things, to invest your intellectual capital, or think about the office on your own time. Do a good job, but no more than is expected of you. Give them what they are paying for. That’s it. Use your free time to do what you love. That time is for you.