What gets you fired up?
Someone asked me – What excites me and keeps me engaged?
First, I love working with so many smart, fun colleagues. I learn new and interesting things on a daily basis! For instance, did you know that beavers have a transparent eyelid that works like goggles so they can see underwater?
Second, I get very fired up by providing creative solutions to very complex issues. For instance, if I needed a simple new scale to measure Employee Engagement, I would just create something…;)
Third, my personal purpose (to help others and promote a positive, engaged global workforce) aligns nicely with our organizational purpose (to create a healthier world one person at a time). It excites me to be a part of something so big. It really grounds me when I’m having a bad day (yes, I do have those occasionally). Although, when I’m really focused and aware, I can keep myself engaged by always owning my response.
It should be pointed out that I think of engagement as a continuum rather than an absolute state. I have had various experiences at different times in my life.
At the low end of the spectrum, we have zombie or catatonic mental patient. Since I was asked for more zombies in my blog, we’ll go with that. My worst case of zombie occurred during a layoff where I knew there were people from my team impacted. As can be expected, I wasn’t able to bring my mind into a working state that day. I literally just sat and stared at my monitor. I was very aware that I was not functioning so I ended up getting up from my desk to walk around. It’s a very strange feeling to be unable to focus on work when you are normally knocking it out of the park!
On the high end of the engagement spectrum is Wonder Woman™ (or, for legal reasons, some other non-trademark-infringing female hero) – where I am kicking ass and looking hot while doing it! This is where I aspire to be each day. I may not make it every day (there are Wonder Zombie days, and Zombie Woman days), but that’s what I aim for, which is still better than what I used to have at other places I’ve worked. At my previous employers, most days I was probably a high functioning side-kick at best. Seriously, would you rather be Wonder Woman™, or Etta Candy™?
Now that I’ve found my purpose, for the most part I feel amazing while I deflect bullets with my bracelets and wield my uh…”platinum lasso of no-lying”. Not to mention I get to work in a flash in my semi-visible jet!
May you never wake up to find yourself a Zombie!
Interesting view point. When I first read the title, I thought it with a negative connotation, meaning what pi**es me off. After reading your blog, it dawned on me that I immediately looked at the negative. Thanks for blogging and helping me think more positive.
Thanks Mike! I appreciate your thoughtful comments!