Do you know the context of the things you love to do?
You won't often see blog posts written in first-person on the Storyhaven blog, but I'd love to share some reflective thoughts today if you'll indulge me! -Laura
As I'm reading Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham and completing the associated course, I'm enjoying themes of empowerment, identity, and fulfillment. One recent discussion board prompted participants to share not what they are best at but instead WHEN they are at their best. I found that to be a refreshing perspective shift.
The idea of "when" doesn't necessarily mean "first thing in the morning" or "mid-afternoon" (although it can). Knowing when you are at your best requires context. It's not just what you're doing - it's also the environment in which you're doing it, the reason you're doing it, the way you're doing it - in other words, the who, when, where, why, and how (in addition to the "what").
You may be good at something, or you may be able to complete a task, but does it make you feel alive? Is it something you'd volunteer to do? Do you find yourself so immersed in a state of flow that you lose track of time when you do it? Is there a particular situation wherein doing this thing becomes more enjoyable? Does it matter who you're doing it for, or where? Does your enjoyment wane if the way you do it changes? What about the reason for doing it? (I'm sure that one at least is a big yes, especially for purpose-driven people like me!)
Reflecting on the context of our lives - and all of the little things that become the big things - is always worth it. You'll never regret spending time spent diving into the things that make you tick.
Identifying what makes us happy then exploring how we can incorporate our "loves" into our contributions will help us reach a greater potential and find more fulfillment in our work. We'll be able to optimize our approach toward both success and enjoyment.
Do you know when you're at your best, and the context of the things you love?
(And to add another layer, if you're a manager, do you know when your team members are at their best?)
