Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs once said: "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."
Finding this kind of work, however, does not always mean a smooth ride all the way. The road will have its bumps and its potholes so that even the most enthusiastic of spirits can be dampened from time to time. Here are a few practical tips to find that second wind derived from Larry Alton's compilation for Entrepreneur.
1. The learning curve is natural. Do not be afraid to make calculated mistakes.
Realistically, perfection cannot be expected in the beginning of a new job, a new project or when attempting to apply a new knowledge. The learning curve is an essential investment of time and, yes, even money to eventually develop an effective skill. Pressures and demands at work sometimes create an attitude of impatience during periods of this type of transition, but as one proverb says: "A boiled egg is cooked when it is cooked." The important detail to remember during the unsatisfactory result of initial efforts is to learn from mistakes and to try again. Don't forget all the greats who came to greatness only after rising up from many failed attempts.
2. All courses of action can be divided into more easily managed steps.
Alton says: "No matter how big, complicated or scary a notion seems -- whether that's quitting your job to become an entrepreneur or launching a new product -- it can always be reduced to smaller, more manageable steps. Do this whenever you're facing something intimidating. Break the process down into a few main sections, then break each of those sections down to as many small steps as you can. If done correctly, no single small step in that process should seem too intimidating to approach. After that, your only job is to systematically accomplish those steps."
3. Revisit the root of your motivation.
The Oxford dictionary says that motivation may pertain to "a reason for behaving a particular way" or "a willingness to do something". When work begins to feel like a thankless chore, remember the goals that drive you. Reassess the milestones you have projected onto the track toward your goal and see which ones burn you out unnecessarily, which ones are not working, which ones are working but require too big a drain on resources and which ones can be changed for more efficiency. Entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar, who authored the widely lauded 'What You See Is What You Get' and who hosts 'The Apprentice UK', says: "Find your own innovative ideas and what works for you." Certainly, do not cut corners and do not take shortcuts.
4. Recognise the support resources available to you.
This may mean speaking with friends and colleagues, finding reading and listening materials from industry experts, or even attending a related event or conference. Do not shy away from recognising pain points and accepting when these points translate to seeking help and support.
Steve Jobs lent this perspective: "My model for business is 'The Beatles'. They were four guys who kept each other's kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other, and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. That's how I see business: Great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people."
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