New job? Maybe.
I started with a new client and they noted that as they were thinking about starting a family maybe other job options might have more balance. They had done what a lot of my clients had done: focus on their job and work harder to succeed. And now they weren’t sure that was going to continue to work.
Most people reach a point in their career, whether they are thinking about family or not, where they don’t want to keep up this pace anymore. Let alone until retirement.
And let me let you in on a little secret. This working hard thing that got you here, isn’t the best option to get you where you want to go.
Turns out they had a new manager who wasn’t asking them to work long hours. But was asking them for things and they didn’t know how they were going to get it all done if they didn’t.
Now not all managers are going to have that attitude. Some are happy for you, and even expect you, to work long nights and weekends. It’s important to understand what your industry and company might require to be successful, but even then just more isn’t more.
So what is the solution?
First, be crystal clear on the company, your team, your manager, and your priorities.
Next, pretend everything on your plate isn’t there, what should your day be made up of to focus on the priorities? Not only what but what’s the true scope and how much time will this take (remember we tend to underestimate).
Then, what else is on your list? Now pull out your 6Ds. Categorize into things you think should be Deleted, Deferred, Diminished, Digitized, and Delegated. Are there additional things left you feel are important to do? Is this a permanent do or something that is a do for now?
Based on this information what is your recommendation for a full-time role? Remember a full-time role in this case is a 40-hour week with normal things that are going to keep coming up plus the occasional appointment, sick day, vacation, and probably coverage for others.
Hint you want to recommend things that are in your best interest but you’re also going to want to be able to sell this in the best interest of the company, your team, and your manager. Which in theory should be easy because you were just really strategic in thinking through the priorities.
Now before you move forward, mindset check – Is it time to move away from being a doer into being a leader? Even if you’re planning to stay an independent contributor that doesn’t mean you’re doing everything.
So now that we have this it’s time to sell it. You are the authority on your role but your manager may see the priorities and associated tasks differently than you do based on their perspective of the team and company. Regardless you’ve thought this through and this is going to be framed and come across as you being smart and strategic about your role.
There will likely be some negotiation. Not all of the things you think should be prioritized may make the cut. And some of the things you’re suggesting you don’t focus on they might still want you to do. Be sure this negotiation includes your realistic estimates and what’s included. It’s a matter of what comes off if something else comes on. Or maybe the scope or timing changes. We have more than one lever.
Sometimes your manager won’t prioritize something you think is important. And maybe even something that will make your life harder if you don’t do it. Or something might come back and bite you in the ass. There is some finesse here about getting buy-in, doing it anyway, and letting some balls drop with CYA documentation.
This might not be something that happens overnight but with this perspective, you can in many cases create a fulfilling job and a life balance where you’re at. And if not, this is a skill you want to practice for that new job.
What do you think? Please comment and tell me how it’s going or if there is something you need help working through.
The clarity piece of knowing what’s important to you is a big one, reach out if you want to talk about my Clarity Bootcamp or anything else.
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