Classic Life Lessons also Work at Work

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In today’s world, of information overload, one has to be selective about what one consumes. However, when it comes to the classic time lessons, taught by the Masters, they apply equally to success at Work. What works in Life, also works at Work. These universal truths, never ‘go out of fashion’.

Some universal and practical principles for Winning at Work;

1. Find Meaning and Purpose in your Job.

Each of us has an innate need for significance, finding purpose in what we do. Considering we will spend 90,000 hours at the least, over a life time, on the job we do, a sense of fulfilment is critical to your success.

Some questions to ask yourself

• What do I want to be known for?
• How many people am I helping?
• What is the level of energy and enthusiasm that I bring to the team?
• What does success mean to?

2. Seek to Serve rather than be Served

According to the Founder of Rotary, ‘He who serves the best, profits most. Research done by Adam Grant and others, corroborate the insight that ‘you get what you put in’. This is true for everything you do……and it’s not different with your job.

Hard work and a genuine intention to be helpful and useful reap huge benefits in building your networks and relationships which help you to succeed and grow in your career.

3. Be agile and adaptable to Change

Change is the only Constant – is a phrase so over-used, that had lost its meaning. But the pandemic has changed that, Change is itself changing at an accelerated pace, like we’ve never seen before. The life cycles of jobs, and even of Companies has greatly contracted. Adaptability and agility are no longer ‘nice to have’. Your success and longevity in the job market depend on it.

4. Your habits make you.

Morning routine is one’s Victory Hour – a time of quietude, an exercise regimen, a mindfulness practice – this is your greatest ally to set you up or a great, energetic and radiant work day. Only the wise recognise this.

Journaling – is a purification process. It gives you a charter for what you want to do and become in the day ahead, somewhat like a performance parameter.

5. Have the courage to find your voice; the willingness to be different

Today we are all battling the cult of comparison. What makes you Stand Out at the Workplace, is your ability to be unique, contrarian, even weird being comfortable with being ‘You’.

To get the extraordinary results of 5% of the population, one needs to be willing to do what the remaining 95% are not willing to. Every creative idea has been laughed at, before it was idolised, be it the I Phone or the Internet.

Intuition is far more powerful than intellect. Trust your instinct, before your intellect.

6. Hard work and intentional practice yield exponential results anytime, everywhere. And the workplace is no different.

A story is told of a day when Picasso met a lady in the marketplace, who begged him to do a drawing for her. He took a piece of paper and drew a sketch in 30 seconds. The lady was delighted ….until he told her that it would cost one million dollars. The lady was aghast and protested: But it took you only 30 seconds! To which Picasso calmly replied. “No, my dear lady, it took me 30 years of practice”.

The Sistine Chapel took 6 years to complete!

7. Workplace Etiquette and Ethic

Be polite, be kind, be on time and keep promises.. Kindness is not a weakness; nor is humility, meekness. Your work ethic is strongly linked to your success, career growth and relationships After all, Life is a conversation, with oneself and with others.

As Simon Sinek is wont to reiterate, the business of business is People. Employees are People, Customers are People, Shareholders are People….and so are Employers,.

Take care of your Relationships at work, and the money will take care of itself.

8. Decide to be Happy

There’s no point in being successful, if you’re unhappy. The best insurance for happiness in your job, is to strive daily to be useful and helpful, to contribute your best, and to bring your best self to work every day. You may not Have the job you Love, but you can Love the job you Have – by the way you do it.

Have a meaningful and fruitful career. Enjoy the journey.