How to Take Your Work From Mundane to Magnificent
Office commutes can seem like an adventure. Dealing with office politics can feel like an adventure.
Can you see your career for the adventure that it is? And get something out of it that benefits you?
Yes, working in an office or from home is not the same as a swashbuckling journey up a mountain or sailing rough seas. And it’s certainly not as dangerous.
But it is about reimagining your current role with an eye to excitement, purpose, and growth. Mundane tasks can transform into intriguing challenges, bringing the potential for discovery in every project.
It’s about helping you shed the dreaded “Sunday Scaries” and come into work on Mondays with a dose of excitement and anticipation.
A theme of my previous career was moving from one aspect of journalism to another, and then another. I moved from print, to cable television, to video. Each move took out of the harbor I knew and into unknown seas.
Change is never easy, and I tried to meet every opportunity with a sense of wonder. How can I use what I already know in this new area? What new skills can I learn on this new adventure?
This may be a mindset shift for you, and it can benefit you in many ways:
When you make the choice to see your career as an adventure, what can you gain?
You become more resilient, viewing setbacks as part of the journey rather than roadblocks.
You seize opportunities you would have previously overlooked.
You find renewed purpose and joy in your daily work.
You may be thinking, “That all sounds wonderful. But I'm stuck in a cubicle (or my home office). How can I possibly have an adventure from here?”
Here are three small ways you can start today:
Set a "weekly challenge" for yourself, like learning a new skill or reaching out to a colleague you admire.
Take a different route to work or rearrange your home office to spark fresh ideas.
Start your own "career curiosity journal" to document interesting observations and questions about your industry.
Maybe you’re reading this now, and thinking, how can I level up? Here are three bold moves to try:
Propose an innovative project that excites you and benefits your company.
Seek out a mentor in a field you're passionate about.
Apply for a position that scares you a little (or a lot!).
Every adventure will have its risks, of course. You will face uncertainty or occasional setbacks. Few adventures are without trials and tribulations. These challenges can make the journey worthwhile. They're opportunities to grow, learn, and become the best version of yourself. And, they make for great stories.
As you set sail on your career adventure, your journey doesn't just benefit you as your work gets better. The adventure you’re on in your work will show up in other parts of your life.
Your may view your routine as mundane. And lurking inside of that work is an adventure waiting to be explored, and a great story to be told.
What story will your career adventure say about you? Let me know in the comments below.
I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified health and career coach, trained in habit change, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career and health journeys. I invite you to click on the link, and let’s talk about how I can support you.