Stuck in a rut at work?
It doesn't have to stay that way. Here's how to put the magic back...
Creating magic? At work? You may well be rolling your eyes and shaking your head at this statement, but let me explain…
Every job, even the very best ones, take it out of us sometimes. We get stuck in a rut, days feel like wading through treacle and the Sunday Scaries get really big, really fast. (So much so we rename them Saturday Scaries, because they get earlier and earlier each week.) Can you relate?
I know I can.
For the most part, I LOVED my profession of working in Corporate Communications. It gave me brilliant opportunities, I travelled and lived in another country, I launched life-changing products and services, I helped do my bit for the nation’s health (including throughout the pandemic) and I forged so many meaningful relationships that still shape who I am today.
And yet…
I still had plenty of days where I just wasn’t feeling it. There was no juice left in the tank. I was tired and fed up. Bored sometimes. Stressed often. Bored and stressed is the worst combination by the way. I don’t recommend…
My inspiration had got up and left the building. And my nerves were nerving. As an introvert, this made me even more susceptible to the sonic landscape of life in a busy office - the constant phone noises, chatter, people eating (this last one, I now know has a name - misophonia - and it made me feel a million times better to know I wasn’t alone! Want to torture me? Stick me in front of an endless scroll of “Eat with me” Tiktokers with the volume up…)
But on those days I was still a professional, a manager and a leader. I couldn’t just put the duvet cover back over my head and watch hours of Gardener’s World, tempting though it was, and remains! So I needed to figure out some strategies for showing up when I didn’t feel like “showing up”, and for putting the fun and enjoyment back into my 9-5. Sidenote, I don’t think I’ve ever worked an actual 9-5 in my life! More like 8:00am to whenever in my corporate days, and now much more flexible, but I digress…
The very first thing I want to recommend to you is this video linked below. If you don’t believe that creating magic is important in your job as a leader - whatever that job is - watch this video and be convinced. I watched this in an NHS leadership away day and it’s stayed with me forever. As a leader, I’ve looked for ways to put the magic back into work ever since, and I always looked for the people that had that sparkle. (It was my number one interview gauge for many years and didn’t steer me wrong!)
What do you think? I love this video. So simple. “Look for the shiny eyes”. If you don’t see them, reflect on how you are showing up as a leader.
So how can you put the magic back when all you want is a duvet day? Read on for my coaching tips (the last one is my favourite) and how they can help you in your role as a manager or a leader.
But first. A favour. If you enjoy reading Lead with Intention and get some value out of it, please consider sharing it with people in your network and recommending this on your Substack if you have one. (If you do, let me know as I’d love to read it!) It makes a huge difference and every sub and share is so appreciated!