Beyond the Daily Grind: Finding Fulfilment in Your Career
In a previous article, I explored how transforming an “I” culture into a “we” culture led to collective success and better results for the company as a whole. While that learning was significant, it didn’t capture the full scope of my experience and growth. Reflecting on my journey, I’ve realised there are more nuanced lessons that are often overlooked by others in similar situations.
The Initial Struggle
When I joined the startup, I was filled with disappointment and anger. The company was in a dire state — no budgets for growth, numerous vacant roles, and a general lack of motivation among the staff. It was a challenging environment, to say the least. As a young, ambitious, and highly motivated individual, I found myself stuck in tasks that didn’t excite me. I felt like I could do my job with my eyes closed, which left me frustrated and unfulfilled.
Internal Conflict
I struggled internally with the business decisions and directions that didn’t make sense to me. Why were certain people still part of the team? Why was the company content with the status quo? These questions plagued me as I tried to implement changes. I built teams, set up the technical structure, introduced agile methodologies, and more, yet I still felt something was missing.
A Shift in Perspective
In my frustration, I vented to peers and former colleagues, seeking validation for my feelings. It wasn’t until I combined their calm, measured advice that my perspective began to shift. Here are the key lessons I learned:
Lesson 1: Filling the Gaps
Problem: Why keep someone if we end up doing their job?
Answers:
- If we don’t do it, it won’t get done, so we just have to do it.
- When we fill gaps, it masks the issue from the business, making it our problem, not theirs.
Solutions:
- Do the work, bring up the issue, and hope it gets addressed.
- Don’t do the work, let the business feel the gap, and force them to act on it, accepting the interim consequences.
Lesson 2: Recognising Growth Opportunities
Problem: I’m not learning anything new; I can do this with my eyes closed.
Answers:
- It’s egotistical to think you know it all. Keep a journal to reflect on your day and identify areas for growth.
- Reflect on past experiences where you had to learn by doing, even when it wasn’t part of your expected role. One of my peers reminded me of the diverse challenges I faced in a previous job, where I had to set up enterprise-level physical infrastructure, design a server room, create and manage a team from scratch, and even handle office logistics like choosing the coffee machine.
Combined Insight: There are always gaps in a company. By filling these gaps, we prevent the business from recognising and addressing its own issues. It’s tough, but sometimes we have to do the work to ensure the team doesn’t suffer, while also recognising the hidden growth opportunities in seemingly mundane tasks.
Embracing Unseen Opportunities
Realising I was learning in unexpected ways was a turning point. I never anticipated managing tight budgets, handling HR policies, juggling office management, and navigating compliance and regulation. These experiences were invaluable, teaching me skills I hadn’t set out to learn but were crucial for my personal and professional growth.
I was learning a lot, and it was these experiences that truly broadened my capabilities. The fact that I could manage my primary job easily actually freed up time for me to delve into other areas like information security, obtaining iGaming licenses in various jurisdictions, budgeting, and office management.
The Trap of Stagnation
We all fall into cycles where we feel stuck, doing the same things repeatedly. When this happens, it’s important to take a step back, change our focus, and find value in the tasks we overlook. Each task, no matter how trivial it seems, contributes to our growth. By learning to do them well, we drive our personal development and make the experience worthwhile.
Paying It Forward: Helping Others See the Value
A few months ago, a manager who I had worked with in the past as a junior developer came to me for advice. He was in a tough spot, feeling like he was stagnating. He felt he had nothing left to learn in his job and had become an expert in his technical area.
I shared my story with him and started by saying, “Stop looking at your job as just a developer’s job.” Before this role, he had never managed people, given guidance, mentored, or motivated others. When I asked if he was doing that now, he admitted he wasn’t. He had become so focused on being a strong developer that he hadn’t transitioned into his new role as a manager effectively.
By shifting his focus and gaining a new perspective, he realised the value he was missing and the gap he was creating within his team. He began to work on mentoring and guiding his team, focusing on motivation and leadership. This new approach re-energised him, and he started to see his role in a new light, finding fulfilment in helping his team grow and succeed.
Final Thoughts
This journey has taught me to embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth. When we change our perspective and find value in the mundane, we transform frustration into fulfilment. So, next time you feel stuck, remember to squint your eyes, shift your focus, and discover the hidden lessons in your daily tasks.
