You have been told you may have 10 careers in your life, but don’t let that determine how often you change jobs. Don’t run away from a challenge. Instead, use each job as a learning opportunity to become better at leading your career. Imagine your career is an arch where each experience helps support the rest.

Ultimately, the decision to stay or go takes courage, self-confidence, and knowing when not to settle.

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YOU DREAD BEING AT WORK EVERYDAY
“But wait! I love to sleep-in. I’m just not a morning person.” Well, you probably didn’t like broccoli as a kid. Now let’s take a reality check on this. Not every day will be your best and not every aspect of your job will add sheer joy to your life. But as you reflect, if there is a large chunk of your job that is unfulfilling and being at work is zapping your energy, then it is time for some tough conversations. Don’t feel alone here. Use your family, friends, colleagues, and bosses for support.

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How to Find More Time in Your Day

Each of us gets a total of 168 hours in a week. Within that you must work (60); eat, shower, dress (25); sleep (50); and do what you do for the remainder (33). You can’t go full out every day, but it’s important to reflect on the 33 hours that are somewhat negotiable.

It is within these hours that we can share some tips on how you can go from couch potato to productivity guru. Don’t try to reschedule your entire life. Instead, focus on small, manageable actions to boost your ability to manage your commitments and time.

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GET UP EARLIER
“But wait! I love to sleep-in. I’m just not a morning person.” Well, you probably didn’t like broccoli as a kid, but now appreciate its superhero stature in the vegetable arena (it’s seriously great for you!). If you can commit to getting up 30 or 60 minutes earlier for the next month, you’ll build a habit that will change your life. In The Greatness Guide, Robin Sharma espouses getting up early as the greatest gift you can give yourself. With this ‘found’ time you can exercise, eat a proper breakfast, journal or think about your life goals, ultimately freeing up even more time to spend on the things you love.

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I have learned the tough way that if you can get your boss to trust you, you are much likelier to have a successful career. Your boss can be your biggest ally (or not!) – the one who recommends you for cool projects, introduces you to the right people etc.

When I was starting my career my biggest mistake was thinking that I could change my boss or go over my bosses head. The likelihood of either of these tactics working is slim and also potentially dangerous. But if you still decide to go that way, ask at least three key mentors in your life. In the meantime, here are 3 shortcuts to getting cosy with your boss.

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Understand Your Boss
Interview your boss to learn her expectations of you and share your expectations with her. Do this every time you change projects, roles or companies. Use your first meeting to learn your boss’s priorities and to understand how she will assess your progress. Remember: Your boss has a boss, too.

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I guarantee you that if you can have ballsy conversations at work, you’ll not only be more successful at work but you’ll be happier in life altogether. The ability to have direct and honest conversations will get you a raise, get you the love of your life, get you to where you need to go. End of story!

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Open Up a Diamond
Conversations are shaped like a diamond. They start with a sharp focus - a goal and intended outcome - and then open up to two-way dialogue. Seek to understand where the other person is coming from by asking her to self-reflect on why she believes what she does. Ask open-ended questions. Be sure not
to challenge the other person’s beliefs, but rather seek to understand with clarifying questions. Once you and the other person are ready to move into action, close down the diamond with solutions and commitments.

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If you are given the opportunity to run a project or are leading a team, you need to run an effective meeting. Most of us spend a week a month in meetings, a huge opportunity to harness the ideas of the group and motivate people to get things done. So here are 3 starter tips to creating engaging and productive meetings:

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Stand-Up and Be Counted
This meeting style has been popularized by the agile software development methodologies. Have your team meet daily for five to fifteen minutes to sync-in on status. Try this literally standing up, which gives even the most diligent of soldiers a stake in ending the meeting before they pass out. Each team member takes a turn updating everyone, asking clarifying questions, but not using the forum for protracted discussion.

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