When It's Just Mediocre

TJOW welcomes back Steve Lundeen. You laughed and cried with him a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy this point-counterpoint, dueling-banjos response to last week's blog.

Last week Alan exhausted the breadth and depth of my vocabulary in describing the most horrible work environments on the planet. It got me thinking that having things that bad is unusual – not rare today – but unusual.

What seems to be more 'usual' to me is a work environment that’s not engaging, not fun. I think for most of us it’s like living in Middle Earth, in purgatory. Not thrilled where we are and not unhappy enough to move on. Where everyone wants me to be engaged, but it’s tough to do when I’m spending most of my time looking over my shoulder wondering if I’m next on the 'hit' parade.

So, what to do? Seems like there are a few options...and they don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Option 1: Quityourbellyaching!

Option 2: Get busy figuring out what 'next' looks like

Option 3: Re-engage

Let's consider each.

Option 1: Quityourbellyaching! Quityourbellyaching! is a sign my in-laws had in an obvious but discreet location in their kitchen. I never spent a lot of time in that house, but I do have vivid memories of my father-in-law, Sonny, giving the 'directional arrow' with his thumb to the sign when there was any hint of whining.

So if your work situation has you living in the land of mediocrity, I would suggest that the first course of action is to stop your personal pity-party and take a fresh outlook, a new perspective on the situation.

Option 2: Get busy figuring out what 'next' looks like. What does next look like? Rather than wallowing in that morass you seem to be in, start 'facing forward'. Rather than the world taking charge of your journey, reclaim your destiny. Clear you mind of what your world is imposing on you. All too often we are inappropriately influenced by those around us. Your support network has your best interest at heart, but they’re looking at your best interest through their eyes. While their intentions are good and pure, they’re giving you advice and direction based on their perspective and their values. Really paying attention to your own inner voice can be a daunting challenge with all the cacophony around you.

Take some time to cocoon and get introspective about where you want to go, what you want to do...and what you’re willing to commit to.

As you do so, consider the 4F’s:

• Failures – these are things you know you’ll never get. Admit you want them and then walk away.

• Fantasies – these are things you really want and thoroughly enjoy wanting them. For example, dating Angelina or Brad...or both of them...or playing for the World Champion San Francisco Giants (an Alan fantasy, to be sure).

• Frustrations – these are things you could have but aren’t willing to pay their price.

• Fulfillments – things you really want, are willing to pay the price for and can have or achieve. Obviously your energies are best placed here.

This is a busy time of year. The holidays are approaching, which may be incredibly distracting when considering your next big steps. But with the start of a new year, we all to some degree look toward launching new and more fulfilling things. If you’re in the land of mediocrity, take this time to contemplate 'next' and step into the land of commitment to make your dream, your vision happen.

Option 3: Re-engage. This is my favorite. Step up and become the leader that you are...or test drive the leader that you want to be. A quote I particularly love: “It’s very difficult to lead the orchestra when you’re using both hands to cover your ass.” It’s time for you to re-engage with your group, your department, your division, your company and make a difference for positive change. Step up and start leading your orchestra.

Your situation was once great. What does your new 'great' look like? What can you do to get on that course again? Remember the excitement of your first day, your first week in a new job? Make today your new first day and hit the day with renewed vigor for being a change agent for good. I don’t mean or want to sound too Pollyanna here, but you are in charge of you and you can make all the difference.

Of course, this is also a thinly veiled commercial for services we at The Schnur Consulting Group offer. Because that’s what we do – we help organizations drive change and accelerate growth through their most important asset, their people.

So, please, get out there and turn the culture of failure, of mediocrity, into a culture of winning. Rekindle your flame of enthusiasm. But first and foremost, take care of you. Pay attention, focus forward and have fun.

And remember, we can help.

Steve, a brilliant executive coach, can be reached at steve@schnurconsulting.com. Harass him as you would me.