Winds of Change

To pirates, that meant something good or bad was about to happen, depending on the feeling in your gut. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means:

“Forces that have the power to change things – used generally to mean change is going to happen.”

For me, the winds are bringing good change. It is time to admit that my current job has run its course. I gained what I needed from it to build up my knowledge and skills. I've also made connections. And now I’m ready to take them with me and make the next company I work for all the better for it. In addition, I’m going to use what I know in building my own business ideas. I have two in the works that I would love far more than anything I could do otherwise.

When you go home so depressed that you can’t even find the desire to have a normal conversation with the ones you love, when you find that you feel completely drained once you reach the weekend instead of feeling relaxed, and most importantly, when you feel that you have no drive to try for anything anymore… its time to realize that you need a change. The past few weeks have been just that. I felt hopeless. I was ready to quit. Ready to cry. Ready to scream. In my head, “I’m done” was all I could think about. Done with everything. That’s how bad my work weeks were.

They did great things, and yes, I might feel like they were amazing once, but that “once upon time” has ended. What I once loved doing, I now dread arriving for. I feel so burnt out. So lost in the tasks that are thrown my way by all corners of the office. I have read so many articles lately on how the younger generation in sales and growing businesses are losing energy. They are dropping off the grid of competitive goals. Why? They just can't keep up with demands. Demands that are unrealistic. France actually had to pass a law that employees CAN ignore work emails when they are off the clock. Seriously? My lead, not a manager, has clients calling, texting, emailing her, calling her through Skype - at all hours of the day/night. She works all day, goes home and works some more and then some on the weekends. But all she gets compensated for is the 8-5 work day. I can't live like that. I want a life outside the office. I have a family with multiple small children. I want to have that perfect life with lots of money saved up for future goals, but not at the expense of missing what I consider important now. My kids. My soon-to-be husband. They mean the world to me. I'd rather be poor with them, than alone at work and swimming in money.

So I'm now preparing for the changes to come. I'm looking to better the world around me. And if that means moving forward, then so be it.

Disappointment in the Rewards

Something I have come to notice in my professional career, is the lack of thought that owners, managers, and leaders put into the rewards and surprises they create for their employees. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a burst of enthusiasm from a team that is striving to impress the higher ups, only to feel like they received a slap in the face in return. How so? Simple. Those in charge of picking the rewards don’t put any thought into who they are rewarding. They go with what is cheapest, looked cool, or is just easy to obtain. Why should an employee strive for obtaining their goals if the reward promised isn’t something they would care to have? Let’s look at this, shall we.

Let’s say that I am told I could win a prize if I meet a certain goal. The prize isn’t defined. So my imagination can go wild with possibilities. Out of curiosity, I can push myself to meet or even exceed that goal that was set for me. But then the time comes when the prize is revealed. And suddenly I’m living the Clark Griswold moment from Christmas Vacation. “It's a one year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.” Suddenly I’m questioning whether my efforts were worth giving. According to International Best Seller, Mark Villareal, you should always give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. You aren’t just working for the company, but for God. But should I push myself above their expectations? I’m going to be paid the same amount either way. Why should I give extra effort for something I have no interest in?

Think about the people you have to encourage. What are their goals? What do they like? Recently, my department was offered prizes to the best performers based upon their goals. If their goals were met, tickets to a Spurs game could be theirs. In San Antonio, lots of people are Spurs fans. I’m not a sports fan, let alone a Spurs fan. I could care less. I don’t feel the need strive for higher. Not for myself. Now, because I do respect my supervisor and know she would like them, I don’t mind attempting to get us to our goal so that she can get the tickets. It won’t benefit me.

It is true that if you try to please everyone, you end up not pleasing anyone. So where is the median to this conundrum? For our department, they have ongoing contests monthly. Having multiple rewards available gives more incentive than if there is a single prize to be won. It makes everyone want to participate. Heck, cash bonus’ works for every employee. Who doesn’t need extra money? Or want it? Gift cards to places that you know everyone could use. None of us here are made of money. As a matter of a fact, in a kickoff meeting for this year, almost everyone that was asked by the owner, “What are your goals for this year?” answered with, “Get out of debt.” That ought to say something.

Now don’t get me wrong. I like getting something I wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford on my salary. Tickets to events can be fantastic for people who live paycheck to paycheck. A chance to sit back and enjoy life on someone else’s dime. But, personally, I’m also very conscious of life and the things that it requires. I have bills. I have kids. I can’t go out whenever I please. I still have 3 tickets to see the latest Star Wars movie with from Christmas. The Star Wars nerd, holding tickets…. They are burning holes in my pockets. But I digress.

I think leadership should consider these things a little more before they randomly start contests. You really want your employees to feel appreciated? Get to know them. Be sincere. Be genuinely interested in their lives, in their personal goals, their dreams. If you are going to spend money, spend it on things they can receive wholeheartedly.