On the subject of brilliance at work

Once upon a time I had a job where I was brilliant.  It was my third position in that organisation – I’d been buried deep in server stacks, learnt all the technical stuff, and had a good understanding of how the whole agency worked.  I hit the ground running.  I knew my job, I knew the key players, I knew what they needed and I was passionate.  I came up with creative solutions, I trained and mentored, I could talk people through the ramifications of their decisions and give them options.  I was the problem solver, and if I couldn’t fix your problem, I could find the person who would.  I didn’t just build a network there, I made friends and allies.  I understood the politics, I managed up and managed down, and I achieved a couple of things that people thought impossible.

And then I moved inter-state.

These days I’m not feeling brilliant about what I do (did you notice?).  That’s why I’ve been trying to change-up my work.  As I focus on potential futures, I’m finding it harder and harder to tackle my everyday job.  But I’ve had an a-ha moment.  Why couldn’t I be brilliant in this job, right now?  I haven’t got any less smart and I’ve gained experience.  I think all I’m lacking is some motivation and deliberate communication.  So what would brilliant look like in my current job?

• I would be passionate.
• I wouldn’t procrastinate.
• I would clear my to-do list.
• I would volunteer for more of the after-hours work.
• I would read-up more on the software we use and do more on-line training.
• I would ‘get around to’ the jobs we’ve been collectively avoiding.
• I would do more documentation.
• I would get in before my boss, and leave later, too.
• I would talk to my users more, and keep in touch with what they were working on.
• I would make sure my boss, and his boss, knew what I was working on.
• I would keep a list of achievements.
• I wouldn’t complain about my job or my colleagues : )
• My timesheets would be up to date.
• I wouldn’t get bored.
• I would have a better elevator speech.
• I wouldn’t have piles of paper on my desk.
• I would know which pieces of paper were important.
• I would be better at keeping my network connected.

and

• I would build better relationships with my key people.

I think I’d enjoy it more, too.

How would your work be different if you were brilliant at your job?