You ever been driving and your mind wanders but then you need to quickly get back into focus because you’re about 7 seconds from hitting the car ahead you – and so you slam on your breaks hearing the screeching sound of your tires gripping the road to stop. I feel like that is the visual to the feeling some may be having as they read the title of this month’s article!
Welp, buckle up cause I’m about to add a bit of oil to the road so things may get a bit slippery!
Like many people my age (I am 43 years young now), I got my first job at 16. I will never forget the excitement I felt to tell my parents that I landed my first job at Smart Set. I mean who wouldn’t be happy. First job in a clothing store at the age of 16 years old – like hello. Sure, minimum wage was $6.25/hour which meant I needed to work at least 5 hours to afford one top, but I didn’t care. I was going to show up to work happy and excited to do my job every single shift.
Now I’m not going to toot my horn (ok maybe I will a little) but I was a great employee with a solid work ethic. I always showed up on time, didn’t go past my allotted break times, assisted where I was needed, went the extra mile to help my colleagues and customers never stole (I’m also the child of West Indian parents, so no shirt or pant or fake earring was worth their punishment and disappointment), and the list goes on. Honestly, I would hire me too. That type of work ethic, if I can be honest, has stayed with me throughout my life and it remains something I pride myself in - but the motivation for doing so has completely altered.
You see, when we enter the workforce, we are given a bit of a template on what it means to be a good worker. Being on time, a team player, supportive, adaptable and all the other core competencies in the HR handbook of ‘what a good employee looks like’ is a narrative we have been fed for a long time. Now I do not dispute these important characteristics as they are important and foundational for a well-functioning workplace (in all aspects) but should our individual goal or focus be on how we show up to work every day, or rather how we show up for ourselves (which by proxy impacts how we show up to work).
Let’s discuss this further shall we. Every single day, millions of people get up and go to work. Whether you go into an office, building, hospital, agency, home office, you are going to work somewhere. Whatever your job, there is an expectation that you will provide or deliver on the identified outcomes as outlined by your job description. Simple.
Because we are responsible beings, whether we love or loathe our job, most of us at a minimum will show up to work and do what we are required to do. But what does that mean from a personal perspective? How does that show up in your work or your interactions with colleagues, staff and/or clients? Are you connected to the work you’re doing or just outputting the minimum requirement so that you don’t get called into HR?
Let me be clear. There is nothing wrong with just showing up to work, doing what you need to do and clocking out. But considering the hours we spend outputting OUR energy in the name of an organization or businesses bottom line, redefining your energy output is an important discussion to be had.
You see to show up to work (and this is only my opinion) means that the entire 7, 8, 9, 12 or 16 hours you spend at work (and yes there are many individuals in various professions who work such hours) is to meet the demands of whatever you are paid to do. Are you overly committed to the end game of a project? Perhaps. Do you care if anyone is better off? Minimally. If the business, program or service doesn’t meet their target, are you concerned? Most likely not. I mean let’s be real here. When we show up to work…in most cases, and as I said before, we’re just trying not to get called into HR.
So then, what does ‘showing up for myself’ look like? Showing up for myself means that I seek out opportunities to sharpen skills that I can see will be useful in the future. Showing up for myself, permits me to engage in dialogue openly and authentically with others - no matter the position – because their perception/assumption of me doesn’t impact the view of myself.
Showing up for myself means that I will create my own table if I recognize that I am not welcome at other tables. Showing up for myself means that I will ONLY use my valuable energy on people, places and things that enhance my development, support my purpose and are in alignment with my goals.
Do you see the difference? Sure, I clock in to work every day and get through my list of responsibilities and tasks that I am paid to …but the truth is my goal every single day is to elevate personally and professionally so that the next day I show up, I got people asking what a girl ate for breakfast, lol.
Listen, if you’ve been following me or reading my articles or had a chance to read my book…there is recurring theme that is the basis of how I coach and how I live. To give unto yourself…to pour energy into your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual well-being…to see your self as the catalyst of all greatness experienced in your life… to take up space (free of guilt and without permission) and to live unapologetically is to show up for yourself.
Do what you’re paid to do and do it well. But ensure that the benefits of your efforts, your skills, you knowledge, your expertise, your commitment, your time and your energy propel YOU in a way that positions you to excel with or without that ‘work.’