Maree's Blog
Invest in yourself, your future self will thank you.
- Details
- 11 July 2023
By investing in yourself and unlocking your potential, you not only identify your strengths and passions (which often go hand in hand) and also recognise the activities that drain your energy.
I am deeply fascinated by the concept of potential. Whether it's your own potential, the potential of your team, or the potential of your organisation, there is often a wealth of untapped possibilities waiting to be discovered.
As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to work for the forestry commission in rural NSW. I had an empowering boss who allowed me to explore and uncover my own capabilities. Within that office, I had the opportunity to revamp various systems, ranging from bee leasing sites to tracking logging activities in public forests.
That nine-month experience set the foundation for my career, characterised by a genuine sense of curiosity and enjoyment.
In contrast, I later found myself in a role within a major bank where, almost every day, I would ride the elevator with a colleague who would say, "Another day, another dollar", and, upon exiting the elevator, finish by saying "less tax." This person lacked passion and enjoyment in their work, relationship with their boss, and the broader organisation. They were solely motivated by their paycheck and little else.
This situation made me curious about what created the lack of engagement that some individuals experience.
I embarked on a journey to understand what brings people happiness and even passion in their work. I couldn't comprehend why people spending a significant portion of their life at work didn't seek ways to enjoy what they did.
It's an ongoing journey as I aim to assist individuals in focusing on the fulfilling aspects of their roles or discovering ways to find joy in their current work.
To help you in this process, answer the following questions:
- What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in the past year?
- What do you perceive as your greatest strengths? Alternatively, what are the gifts that have shaped the direction of your life?
- What alternative path would you choose if you weren't pursuing your current occupation?
- During your professional journey, when have you experienced the most enjoyment? Reflect on the top five factors that contributed to that sense of fulfilment.
Your responses to these questions indicate whether you are on track to reach your full potential.
Now imagine you had a budget specifically allocated for your personal development. What would you prioritise as your first investment?
Now is the time to explore the areas you need to focus on.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I will send you Exceptional Leader Scorecard Workbook, to help you identify some areas to excel even more.
