What is Hard Work Anyway?
In Executive Coaching my clients and I drill down to the bedrock of their opportunity and identify actions they could be taking that would ignite a tipping point for them. These actions tend to be very hard work. I define hard work as doing something unpleasant that moves you toward your goals.
In comparison I don’t think it’s hard work to spend long hours doing something you like to do. More often than not, getting away for some work life balance is the hard work in that situation.
Here are three examples of hard work I’ve coached clients through.
1. Delegating thoroughly, especially for Type A people. If you are a fast moving person getting lots done at break neck speed slowing down to do a full brief for a subordinate including soliciting and answering all their questions and setting milestones is very hard work.
2. Helping inarticulate or introverted people communicate clearly is hard work. Firstly it’s hard to leave empty quiet space for other people to fill while not talking yourself. Secondly it is also hard to compose and ask thoughtful open ended questions to help them get everything out.
3. Developing relationships for personal or professional gain is hard for many people. I think most people are hard wired to avoid rejection in its many forms. Our ego protects us with very crafty rationalizations to avoid reaching out to strangers and cultivating people we know.
Lao-Tzu’s direction that ‘What’s in the way is the way’ is the beacon to finding the hard work that will reap us the best rewards. If you can figure out the critical barrier that’s in your way and then do the hard work of overcoming that barrier you will have achieved a long jump towards your goals.
As always I’m interested in your personal reflections on this.
