In many ways, a new job is like a love affair. The first stage is excitement. It can last from an hour to many years. The novelty of the job keeps your energy high. You are happy because you are so productive, and you’re more productive because you are so happy.
Then, the second stage—reality—sets in. You still enjoy the work you do, but notice some of the irritants and difficulties. Deadlines now seem endless and impossible. And, it soon becomes more difficult to arrive early or stay late.
The third stage is disillusion. Here, the pendulum swings past reality, and it’s much easier to focus on the negative. That’s when the “maybe’s” begin. For example, you wonder: “Maybe I could make better money at Company X, and not have to work so hard”; “Maybe I’d be happier with more responsibility at Corporation Y”; or “Maybe Company Z would let me come in a little later in the mornings or go home earlier at night.”
To get the pendulum to swing back, remember your relationship and think about what you did to keep the thrill in your love life. Maybe you and your partner relived your first date at that little country restaurant, or you thought to thank your loved one for being kind and generous. In short, you remembered to see the person you first fell in love with.
Relate this to your career. Here are some practical staying-in-love techniques:
• Begin each day with a smile. Anticipate having a productive, stimulating day. Isn’t that how you used to come to work in the morning? If you really expect to be productive, almost nothing can stop you.
• Eat a good breakfast. This will give you energy and protein, which you so badly need first thing in the morning.
• Dress with as much pride and attention to detail as you did on your first day of work.
• Start each day with motivated people who discuss the good things in their lives. Once a week or so, take the initiative to get up a little earlier and go to breakfast with some of these people.
• Get to work as early as you can and spend some quiet time settling in before everyone else arrives. If this is difficult, offer yourself some small personal reward. (Mine is that first lingering cup of coffee, all alone, while opening my very exciting e-mail.)
• Do the “icky” things first. Even the most fantastic job includes tasks that aren’t much fun. If you get them out of the way, the rest of the day will go by fast.
• Make a list of what you learned at the end of everyday. Include what was the most fun, who was the most fun to interact with and how you feel you added to your group’s success. Essentially, this is a list of the ‘beyond the paycheck’ benefits. If you only work for the paycheck, you will be employed, but not ‘employable’ long-term.
There are many other realistic ways to keep your relationships—including the one with your job—exciting and challenging. Ultimately, your happiness depends on how good you feel about yourself at work, in love and just living everyday. Try doing something nice for your job and yourself. Fall in love all over again!
BY PATRICIA FRIPP, CSP, CPAE
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, is a San Francisco-based executive speech coach, sales trainer and award-winning professional speaker on change, customer service, promoting business and communication skills. She is the author of “Get What You Want!” and “Make It, So You Don’t Have to Fake It!,” and past-president of the National Speakers Association. She can be reached at: PFripp@Fripp.com, (800) 634-3035 or www.fripp.com.