Why Your Work Matters

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Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable advice from my personal experiences in 15+ years of people and business leadership.

Today at a glance:

• Understand the importance of your impact.

• 6 Ways to empower and remind yourself of your impact.

• Gain practical tips to maintaining motivation and a positive mindset.

• Ignite your ability to empower impact in just 4 days!

In August 2014, I almost threw in retail.

I had been about 14 months into leading a new team,
new brand and I was struggling.

We weren’t seeing much top line growth, I’d had a few too many TM challenges
and I was burning out hard.

Ultimately, I questioned whether I had it in me anymore.

When I look back on this time, I recognise something I often see in my clients and my teams…

When we go through tough times, we can be quick to look for a way out.

Rather than do the work on ourselves, we put up the “can’t do that” attitude.

And in August 2014, I applied for a head office role.

Ugh, it makes my stomach churn thinking about it lol.

To the extent I had an interview, looking for an easy way out of a tough situation.

Thankfully, I had an outstanding 2IC beside me.

You see, during this time I thought I had lost it.

Lost my influence.
Lost my passion.
Lost my impact.

This 2IC - was not only my sounding board but an aspirational leader.

I had told him my intention and he looked at me puzzled.
I won’t repeat what he said, but he questioned my thinking.

He straight up asked me if I thought he had improved since working with me.

To which I said “Undoubtedly. Each and every day you’re crushing it.”

He asked me, how do you think that happened.
Without all that followed, we ended up having a 45 minute
conversation on how I had impacted his leadership and in turn his life.

Here I was thinking I was just “showing up” at this stage.
And I was. Just on a more significant level than what I thought.

I hadn’t lost it.
I was just lost.

If you’re feeling lost, a little unmotivated or perhaps wanting a way out,
I hope you find inspiration in todays newsletter.

You and your work matters.
More than you know.

Every day that you show up, even when it's hard and you don’t feel like it…

You are making a difference.

It’s easy to overlook the significance of your work, especially during challenging times. However, your consistency, ideas, and presence have a profound impact.

Recognising and embracing this can boost your morale, enhance your productivity, and reinforce your commitment to your goals.

Research shows that understanding the purpose and impact of one’s work leads to higher job satisfaction and performance.

Leaders like Simon Sinek emphasise the importance of knowing your "why" and how it drives your actions and fulfilment.

Many leaders and professionals struggle with self-doubt and undervaluing their contributions.

They may become so focused on immediate challenges and setbacks that they lose sight of the bigger picture.

This can lead to burnout, decreased motivation, and a sense of futility.

By failing to acknowledge the positive impact of their work, they miss out on a crucial source of inspiration and strength.

To keep reminding yourself that your work matters, integrate these 6 strategies into your routine:

1. Keep a “Feel Good” Folder:

   • Save positive feedback and content that makes you feel good.

   • Read through it when you’re feeling down.

   • It’s easy to focus on the negatives, but the positives remind you why you started.

2. Measure progress metrics:

   • Your progress metrics tell you how well you’re doing (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates, sales, retention).

   • Write down your metrics in your planner.

   • Use them as a benchmark but don’t get too attached. Metrics fluctuate, but the bigger picture is impact.

3. Have a “why” statement:

   • Why are you doing what you're doing? To help people, make a difference, or provide for your family?

   • Whatever it is, make a statement and keep it somewhere visible.

   • It’s a reminder of your purpose.

4. Reflect on previous work:

   • Your work is a time capsule.

   • Look at past work and see how much you’ve improved.

   • Your skills and knowledge have grown. You’re impacting people better than before.

5. Visualisation:

   • Visualise how your work impacts others.

   • Envision how it improves someone’s life or solves their problem.

   • It creates a positive feedback loop in your brain. The more you visualise, the more you believe.

6. Connect

   • Create time to get aside your leadership team

   • Collaborate often and add value

   • Be vulnerable - allow your leaders to help carry the load

Ignite your impact in just 4 days!
You up for the challenge Trailblazers?

• Day 1: Create a “Feel Good” Folder - Gather all the positive feedback you've received and compile it into one folder. Review it at the end of each day.

• Day 2: Define Your Why - Write a clear “why” statement and place it somewhere visible in your workspace.

• Day 3: Analyse Your Metrics - Write down key performance metrics and reflect on your progress. Set realistic goals for improvement.

  More importantly, plan how you will “celebrate” your progress.

  No matter how big or small.

• Day 4: Reflect and Visualise - Spend 10 minutes reflecting on your past work and visualising the impact you’ve had. Write down any positive changes you notice.

Your work matters more than you know.

By consistently reminding yourself of the impact you’re making, you can maintain motivation and a positive outlook, even on the toughest days.

Embrace your contributions and the difference you make.

Remember, your work has a ripple effect, and you never know whose life you’ll change.

Keep showing up, Trailblazers, and continue making a difference. Lead on!

Until next Tuesday,

I have built and led teams across 3 successful businesses and have over 15 years of people and business leadership experience.

Over the past 4 years, I have grown my business working with “busy” leaders across multiple industries (retail, hospitality, construction, mining, education) helping them igniting their impact and leadership both at work and at home.

Without abandoning their ambition.

Let me share my insights and help you:

• Reclaim your time

• Prioritise your wellbeing

• Achieve work/life harmony

• Improve customer centricity

• Connect & elevate team culture

• Develop beyond busy leadership skills

• Build your business bench and succession planning

Book A 45 minute “Beyond Busy Mentor” Meeting Here

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