7 Fun Ways to Play Your Own Game at Work

When you joined the company, you did so because what? You had certain needs to be met. Not so? Perhaps needs for money, status, training, location. But as time went on...something curious happened, probably without you even noticing it.

Sure, you may have felt it. But few realise before it's too late what happened.

Let me tell you. What happened was that the BALANCE OF NEEDS shifted big-style. No sooner had your needs been met, than the company put it's needs continually higher on the agenda, whilst yours slid to the bottom.

Time-off? What about the project? More money? In the present competitive climate? A transfer? We need you here! More interesting work? Where do you think you are, a sweet shop?

Sound familiar?

A good sign that we have bought into the company game, or their version of the world, is when we feel stuck.

Here's what we need to do in order to redress the balance of needs, and put our needs up their with the company's...

1. Get Yourself a Much Bigger Game

Think long term. Think about what you want to do after this work. Consider what your heart it whispering. Put the job to one side for a moment, and ask yourself, if I wasn't doing this, what would I love to do?

2. Spend Time Enriching This.

Consider your feelings on the matter. What it would mean to you? What might you need to learn to bring it about? How much fun you would have? In a nutshell, what kind of journey do you want?

3. See The Company as a Resource.

Now, clearly you have signed a contract and have certain responsibilities to undertake. That is fine, and you should do them to the best of your abilities. That said, you can also look at the way you approach your work, and consider what skills, contacts, qualities, information you want to develop that would stand you in good stead in your much bigger game.

Just make a list of some of the things you want to have in place when you leave.

Yes, when you leave. Because you will. Either of your own free choice, or circumstances will kick you out, or you'll be carried out. One of the three.

So this is by way of a strategic approach. You with me?

4. See Each Day as a Framework for Learning

Rather than see each day as "another day at work" ask yourself, "What can I learn today that will bring my much bigger game a step towards me?"

See those 8 hours as potential. Sure you have a job to do, but there is much you can learn by adapting your APPROACH.

For example, you might want to develop determination, confidence, creativity, organisation, time-keeping, discipline, or a whole range of other qualities.

You might want to develop a range of contacts with interests that would support your much bigger game. Go find them as you go about your day.

5. Notice the Gratitude

A curious side-effect of this approach is that you may start to feel gratitude for the company for providing you with so many opportunities to grow.

Any resentment you may have felt can easily turn into a willingness to achieve even greater results!

The company will often wonder what it has done to engender such a turn-a-around. Hey, they may even promote your manager!

6. Spot the other Players

As you work with this strategic approach, you will start to notice others within the company who are on the same page.

You will notice a lightness in the way they handle "stressful" situations. Why? Because for them, this is not the be-all-and-end-all. It is a stepping stone, and so everything is in a more healthy context.

7. As the Pieces, Come Together

As the pieces of your puzzle come together, prepare well for your jump from this stone to the next. Having developed the resources you need, you will have confidence in your ability and a clear plan to hit the ground running.

So remember to step back from the company game you are in to see the wider, broader picture. See where this vehicle is taking you and what else you might learn from the ride. Consider where you want to go next, and how this journey can support that.

Most importantly, redress the balance of needs, and put your own back up there with the company's.

Make you job work for you! :)

Have a great time