Be Good at What You Do – Even If You Don’t Like It
It’s not really news to anybody that I’m not exactly passionate about my 8-5 job. The work I do is highly analytical, data-oriented and involves me starting at a computer screen for 8 hours a day. When people ask me what I do at my job, their eyes generally glaze over when I get about 15 seconds into it. That’s about how long it takes before my eyes glaze over when I open up a new set of data I’m about to work with. I am not, however, excused from excelling at my job.
I believe that if you ask my coworkers, my boss, and the associates who rely on my work on a daily basis how I am doing, they will probably tell you that I’m a data whiz kid, an Excel genius, a PowerPoint guru. OK, maybe that’s taking it too far, but for the most part, they’ll tell you I rock my job. Because I do.
Let me repeat – I don’t love my job. As a matter of fact, about twice a week I skulk off to the online department and chat with the guys over there about what’s new in the online world. I wonder, sometimes out loud, when another position will be budgeted especially for me. Then I go back to my desk and finish my work.
Sound boring? It is.
Maybe this sounds really bleak to you, really dismal and boring and you say to yourself, “I could never do that.” Well, remember that I do have a passion – my own business that I am growing after hours.
It’s also really exciting to hear the president of your company decide that you are the only person necessary at a conference call who is not a manager or vice-president. It’s nice to hear you described to a new manager as an integral part of such-and-such process. It’s gratifying to hear that you were impressive in that strategic planning meeting.
It could be tempting given the recent success my own business is having, to not give a crap about my current job. Here’s the thing: I don’t want to be known as a crappy worker. I don’t want to put mediocre work out into the world. I also respect that the people I work with are counting on me to support them the best that I can. They are passionate about their jobs and they are counting on it to provide for them.
In a word, what I am talking about it responsibility. I may not be passionate about my 8-5 job, but I am passionate about being a quality employee and coworker. To buck Gen Y stereotypes, I guess you might say I am passionate about responsibility.
If that’s not good enough for you, then remember that everyone you come in contact with at your current job is a contact. Your reputation as a solid worker is at stake.
Excellent post Holly! Sometimes it is hard to be passionate about the job you are doing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about it or the appearance of you to the people around you in the workplace.
Hot Darn! Love your perspective. It bring to mind several things to me. One is the whole idea of craftsmanship. That no matter what the job is, an important component is how well it’s done.
As for your passion being elsewhere, remember the Harry Chapin song about Mr. Tanner.
“Music was his life
It was not his livelihood
And it made him feel so happy
It made him feel so good
And he sang from his heart
And he sang from his soul
He did not know how well he sang
It just made him whole”
This is so true! And quite inspiring. Now let me get back to my data… with a smile.
I am a Virgo which, as Lance will tell you, means that I can’t possibly help but excel at my job. It’s hardwired in me to be a perfectionist.
When you say that you Excel at your job, do people realize it’s a pun? Ha!
As a Gemini, I’m hardwired to suck and be a massive chode at jobs that I’m dispassionate about. I can’t help it. I’m too flighty. Which is probably why I’ve been having a tough year at the 8-5. Oops, I meant to say 7-7.
On the flipside, things that I’m passionate about I’m super-duper excellent at. Brilliant even.
Keep on keepin’ on and eventually you’ll be a hotshot entrepreneur. That’s my goal too.