Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Finding Meaning in the Mean Time

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Karl Edwards

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When we talk about “toughing out a tough job,” (our current podcast discussion series), we are not talking about passively enduring an awful situation until something better comes along.

We’re talking about finding meaning in the mean time.

We’re talking about making the time work for you instead of against you.

We’re talking about taking control of the tough experience and creating as good an experience as possible.

There are many good reasons to stay put in a less than ideal job situation.

Two questions for you as we begin this discussion:

  1. Describe a situation where it would be wiser to stay put in a tough job situation.
  2. What is a goal you could set for yourself in such a situation where you would benefit regardless of the difficulties?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Comments

2 responses to “Finding Meaning in the Mean Time”

  1. Unsigned Avatar
    Unsigned

    I’m struggling with some issues at work, and it’s looking like I’ll have to go over my supervisor to talk with a vice president about what’s happening.

    A friend of mine role-played what I would say. Sounds geeky, but it helped. At the end of our five minutes or so, she commented that I needed to know what my goal was for that situation.

    I’m not planning on leaving my job, but that doesn’t make the situation any less tough at times. In fact, it leaves me feeling powerless–though a generic sense of empowerment is probably not a good outcome to seek from a meeting with the vice president. And if I’m just honoring my own feelings to “be heard” I have to wonder if I’m not being a bit self-indulgent at best. Or wasting the vice president’s time at worst.

    This is a timely series for me!

  2. Karl Edwards Avatar
    Karl Edwards

    Thanks for sharing about what is certainly a complicated situation.

    You might think about letting your supervisor know that you are not satisfied with the outcome of your discussions and believe that the vice president should be brought into the discussion.

    If you are concerned about your intentions, such an open approach to going over someone’s head is a good test!

    Better, give me a call. No charge. Let’s take just half an hour of your time and talk through the issues.

    – Karl

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