In the last issue of Faith and Fitness Magazine, I shared the first of three articles asking readers WHAT’S UP WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE? It is an important question to ask when facing challenge, change, or opportunity. I outlined the method I’ve used in my spiritual life to help acquire and maintain focus, purpose, and enthusiasm. In this article, I want to encourage you to use WHAT’S UP to explore ways to success, invigoration, and fulfillment in your profession.
Looking to make an immediate impact in your organization, team, or workplace? Simply ask, “WHAT’S UP?”
WHAT’S UP W – Wide perspective H – Head in the right direction A – Attitude of gratitude T – Truthful self-assessment S – Solution-based planning U – Unselfish thought & action P – Perspective review
With so much depending on what we do in school or at work, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face there. In the normal stress of education or career, short-term pressures can prod decisions that may have long-term negative ramifications. No matter where you are in your career path, asking yourself WHAT’S UP can help you clarify, reinvigorate, and motivate yourself and others toward the professional success and fulfillment you desire.
PART 2
Ask WHAT’S UP? in your professional life:
W – Wide Perspective In times of both challenge and opportunity in the workplace, having the foresight to take a step back in order to create a better plan is invaluable. When considering a change in position, for example, review the position requirements, the company, and the market as a whole before refocusing on the particulars of your situation. I try to start with a wide perspective, and then watch as my current actions mold themselves into the position I want to be in for the future.
H – Head in the Right Direction I have been blessed to work in roles as varied as an after-school program counselor, convenience store clerk, stock boy, bus boy, bartender, and business intern. That I currently hold a very fulfilling executive and coaching position, I attribute both to the power of God’s grace, and to the learned behavior of approaching a task, position, team, or project with my head in the right direction. To a company or group, heading in the right direction means being dedicated and enthusiastic, and having the group’s best interest at heart. It means doing your best for the common cause.
A – Attitude of Gratitude There is a great Chuck Swindoll quote that always comes to mind when I face a situation or team that is disheartened professionally. It reads, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.” Having an attitude of gratitude will virtually ensure personal and professional success.
T – Truthful Self-Assessment The kiss of death in professional life is often ignorance of a personal blind spot. If we are not seeing things clearly, receiving ongoing constructive criticism, or regularly evaluating our own performance and ability, a fall is inevitable. Honestly assess your strengths and your weaknesses. Marcus Buckingham’s book “Now, Discover Your Strengths” may be helpful, if you don’t know where to begin. Another great tool I have used is, on completing an assignment or project, to ask myself what I did really well; what was fulfilling for me; what areas could use improvement; and how I could improve immediately. The self-awareness that continuous truthful acknowledgement provides is critical to success.
S – Solution-Based Planning In the sales profession there is a saying, “Plan your work – then work the plan.” What this means is that once we have done what’s necessary to create a sound strategy, we must have the discipline to follow through on that strategy.
U – Unselfish Thought & Action Few things are more attractive to me as a boss, or to members of the teams I’ve worked with, than the clear exhibition of unselfish thoughts or actions. Unselfishness means having others’ best interests in mind when you make decisions. Simply taking the time to find out how your decisions will affect those around you builds trust, increases efficiency, and creates a bond among your circle of influence that is priceless when facing a high stress project.
P – Perspective Review It is crucial to review, on a regular basis, exactly where you are and where you want to be in the future. Often, for me, this will include a look back at the past to see just how far I’ve come! I thank God for all His blessings and rededicate my career to be pleasing to Him. One way I review my perspective is by asking others I trust, “How do you see me limiting myself?” Another is asking, after a task is performed or interaction is carried out, “On a scale of 1 to10, how would you rate the service or interaction you just had with me? If you would rate it anything less than a 10, what could I do to ensure a 10 in the future?” Questions like these give others the opportunity to contribute to my growth in a very real way, which I would probably never receive without asking for it.
Using WHAT’S UP in difficult times has been a helpful tool for me. I encourage you to give it a try. Take a deep breath, stand or sit up straight, and focus on God’s greatness, which is beyond any circumstance or environment, which may surround you. Follow through with each of the subsequent steps; then experience the peace that passes understanding, which God promises when we turn to Him.
