All of us have something that occupies our days.  Something we either decide to just get through, or something we decide to excell at.  I try to come at everything in life with an expectation of excellence.

Sometimes the goal is money and sometimes fulfillment.  As with all things, I think especially in the day job, it needs to be with excellence to God.

I am in my own estimation, a very good engineer.  I am discovering that I am a good mentor and potentially a very good leader.  Part of going through this process of refinement, has been with a clear attitude toward what most people call, “The Day Job”.  I think life needs to balance so that what you choose to do for a living, what you choose to explore with your gifts, has to be treated as something that is very important.

I love Jim Rohn’s statement “You need to get FROM the day, not just THROUGH the day!”

I have always had three rules of employment and I share them with you now….

Rule 1: If you are happy with your job (the environment, the people, the work, your satisfaction as to your contribution), then be happy.  Don’t stagnate, reach for excellence every day, and do what you’re paid to do.  Don’t support the grumblings of others, it will reflect poorly on you.

Rule 2: If you are unhappy with your job in any way, take steps to fix the situation.  Be candid, be flexible, but be pro-active.  You don’t always have to accept the way things are.

Rule 3: If you are unhappy with your job and you can’t overcome, ignore, or adjust your perspective, then you must consider change.  Look, I’m not talking about minor annoyances, I mean you are doing your best, and you have had honest conversations and you can’t get resolution on something that makes your day to day less than pleasant, you need to consider change.  There is only one person responsible in the end, for your career, and that is you.

I recently accepted a new postion with an area company, and I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to this very welcome change.  I made it very clear to my wife, close friends, and myself, that a change was not an escape, but about growth and  opportunity.  I don’t take these things lightly, and never accept a position that I don’t feel strongly that I can do with excellence!

In the midst of discussing the mission and refining purpose, I have not said a lot about this very real part of my day.  So many people in the world are doing something they hate or at least strongly dislike, just to pay the bills.  You have to ask, if you didn’t have bills, would you choose to do what you are doing if you could choose anything?

So in adjusting the mission, exploring and reflecting on career, I needed to look for an opportunity that better suited both my gifts and my personality.  We don’t always have a lot to pick from in life, but when we do, we should choose wisely so as not to either fool ouselves, or disappoint our employers, our families, or ourselves.  it is part of being a good steward.  We should always move toward doing what we love, what we are wired to do, and we should do it with patience and respect toward those who would give us new opportunities to shine and expand on our gifts, so abundantly given by God!

Remember to get from the day, not just through it.  Find the place you fit and make a contribution.  Help someone build something and find those whose philosophy of business and life are in line with yours!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm and is filed under Discussing the Mission. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.