My thoughts on the perfect work environment
The Perfect Work Environment
I think the three biggest decisions one will ever make are
1) how to behave,
2) how to work, and
3) how to be in a relationship.
Here I’ve collected some of my past advice for jobseekers, which is relevant to anyone newly graduated or building their career, and especially relevant if you are founding the culture of your business or project or company.
Ultimately you will spend as much time (or more) in a working situation as you will sleeping, so I think it’s important to identify which qualities will make your work situation work perfectly for you.
The first step to identifying your best work style is self-reflection.
*** SELF-REFLECT ***
Understand your skills, at the most basic, basic level. What do you absolutely love to do? What types of activities make you most fulfilled and happy?
I recommended reading What Color is your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles. I did the prioritization exercises in this book (it tells you to look through 10 stories of past successes in your life, and write them down in detail, then underline all the verbs, then prioritize which verbs are most important to you). Once you know what you enjoy and appreciate and are good at, you’ll be able to speak with authority on which skills and talents you may offer to any potential client or employer.
The second step to crafting your perfect situation is to explicitly envision, and plan for, what you desire.
*** ENVISION/PLAN ***
Self-direction and self-motivation are key. I don’t believe anyone will take as much interest in your career, or invest in answering your vocation, as you yourself, once you know your strengths and build on them.
Do you like working in groups, or alone, or both? Do you prefer heads-down for long stretches of time, or do you need to break things up, or do you need a mix? What are your non-negotiables in a work environment?
Where do you want to be based? An office? a home office? In a big city? In a more rural area? Outdoors most of the time? Or inside? No one but you will be able to envision your most perfect day-to-day routine.
Once you clarify what activities you’d like to engage in on a daily, or weekly, or monthly basis, you can write or Pinterest or draw or scrapbook out what you truly desire. It’s like ordering something up from a menu. Be clear about what makes you feel most happy and most fulfilled.
The third step is identifying and expanding your network.
*** NETWORK OUT ***
Your network is the collective of people with whom you’ve connected from past clubs, alumni groups, religious organizations, sports teams, book-reading groups, and other interactions. Your network gives you information and access to resources: you help them, and they help you. Your network consists of close friends and family, past and present colleagues, and a wider, more “loose” group of extended associates.
Imagine being on the ancient savanna, and hearing from a friend of a friend about a waterhole that ends up helping your family through a dry spell. Similarly, I think of one’s network as a source of information that feeds you tips, job opportunities, notices about contract availability, and more.
Expand the number of people that you know. Access = information.
Some ways to expand your network are to
- sign up with a LinkedIn account, as it tells you 2nd degree and 3rd degree connections
- join a local alumni group or listserv, or professional networking group
- start requesting introductions to individuals in whichever field you are interested: have a coffee or lunch date to learn about the market, who the “players” are, who is up-and-coming. Remember to respect people’s time and follow up with a thank-you note.
- identify a mentor who is willing to shepherd you through your industry
- participate in a group that is personally interesting, such as a book club, knitting club, sports team, or volunteer organization
Clients, customers, marketing buzz, referrals, recommendations, testimonials, and leads all come from your initial efforts at pinging your network and asking others to spread the word. Make sure your network is a good one!
The fourth step is to start putting yourself out there (this is an ongoing step, by the way — it never really ends).
*** SHARE YOURSELF ***
Part of owning your future, clarifying your business model or modus operandi, and creating your own perfect situation, is to explicitly share and ask for what you want to do.
I tell everyone to maintain a blog, post to LinkedIn Pulse, update their personal homepage, share via Twitter and Instagram and Medium and Tumblr, upload to Github, and in general share your unique view of the world.
You have a unique perspective, and you are the only one of you on the planet at this time: share what it’s like to be you! As you continue “broadcasting” your message, you will get closer and closer to your target audience and “tribe” of people who feel the same energy and level of passion and enthusiasm you have. Your visionboard will become closer and closer to your lived reality.
The final step is to ask for a specific customer you want, the particular job you desire, the tool you want to build, the product you want to develop, or the problem you want to solve.
*** ASK to RECEIVE***
If you know the exact company you want to be at, craft an introductory letter to the hiring manager and specify, specify, specify what problem you will be able to solve for them. If you know the exact type of partner you wish to have on-board, same thing: specify how you will be of assistance. If you know your exact ideal customer, write out the details of that person’s pain point and how you will solve their problem or give them something they need.
Specificity is key: if you go to a restaurant and ask for “something with broccoli” you will get exactly that: something uncertain, but with broccoli. If you go to the restaurant and ask explicitly for wok-fried broccoli with tofu and snap peas and soy sauce, or a well-done broccoli quiche, or cold broccoli slaw not too tangy, you’ll get that.Similarly, if you say “I’m interested in a job in the music industry” you’ll probably get a whole lot of nothing.
If you say, “I’m looking for music contacts” then you’ll receive ???
However, if you say “I’m looking for the top person who works on diversity at HR at Pandora”, you will find that person.
Someone literally will not be able to help you at all if you don’t know exactly what type of job, or which specific person, you are seeking.
For example, if you are a policy type of person, do you want a policy analysis type of job? or more of a numbers type of job? Do you want a research job or more of a “people-oriented” job? What field? health, education, government, finance, marketing? There are infinite choices, so think about what you’re good at/want to do, then ask for contacts in those fields or industries.
In your marketing offering or resume or whatever materials you’re sharing, refine it so you focus exactly on the skills that you bring to the table. (See my Cofounders Lab profile for ideas).
List your offerings out in prioritized order, where verbs are the best!!!! (Organized, researched, developed, facilitated, communicated, created, worked as a team, led, etc…..)
Note that nothing beats a personal connection, so once you know your skills and your specific field you want to focus on, and your company you want to work at, ask for connections, do informational interviews, rinse, and repeat. Do volunteer work or subcontracting to start, and if you like them/they like you, commit to a longer timeframe. Seek out private business, public companies, nonprofits, education, foundations, and government. Consider starting up your own endeavor.
In conclusion: be brave and courageous and patient and kind and gentle.
As you get more and more experience, you’ll have a better handle on where you want to spend your time and energy, and with whom. You’ll “narrow the field” to places and opportunities and people where you truly feel like you’re a perfect fit. As you get closer and closer to that blissful state where your day-to-day closely reflects what you originally envisioned, continue to help others, lend a hand, and make introductions along the way: as much as others help you, you are also a help and a resource to others.
