Being smart is only the first step, good work is about execution
Young, idealistic college graduates (and not so young) get quickly disillusioned with the tediousness of administrative work.
This is rightfully so.
There’s nothing too sexy about the labor of organizing paperwork. It can be a challenge to find the creative bits and pieces of any job. This is even more apparent when work demands that you schedule lunches, fax documents and keep the kitchen clean.
It’s hard to find meaningfulness in what seems to be thankless duties.
Do you think you are dumb because the bulk of your day is spent answering phones?
A bit of simple advice: being smart is only the beginning.
There are loads of people doing work they think is “beneath” their talents and notches below their actual skill set. It doesn’t make you (or them) any less valuable as a worker (or less interesting as an individual). It’s a shame that so many of us tie our worth to the paid hours of our day. Wouldn’t you much rather spend that time building up what is worthwhile – whether it is paid or not?
Side Note: I have come to wonder how many years I could’ve avoided being lost (not to mention extremely angry with huge chips on my shoulder) if I didn’t focus so narrowly on nabbing a “cool job” and instead spent time creating the career I wanted. Back to post.
However, truly smart people know that work – any good work – is about execution. It’s about what is getting done, not what you think you ought to be doing instead.
Next, the other obvious solution – creating a career exit plan