How To Be Your Most Effective

Alright, this isn't the end-all be-all self-help type article. Let's get that out of the way. This advice/observation, just like all pieces of advice and observation, don't apply to all people at all times. But for those who are reading this that have found it, and it applies to you hook-line-and-sinker - awesome. Thanks for stopping by.

I began thinking about this topic over the last year. In a way, I've been thinking about it since the beginning of my software development career. Having been an over-achiever during my years in schooling, I expected to be the same over-achiever once I got into the work-force. And actually, I was during my stint in real estate and at times during my software developing. I had this feeling, though, that I was destined for something greater. Now when I say "greater", I mean "greater for myself." What is great for me is NOT great for someone else. Is it ever? I don't think life is a one-size-fits-all proposition.

I began a more intensive study of computer science in my spare time, reading as much as I could and programming when I could. The thing is, I found this really hard. I'd come home after a long day, I'd be tired, I'd have other responsibilities, and didn't have the drive and motivation to continue my personal studies of programming, software architecture, and so on. I soon realized that if I continued in this direction, I would not be a "great" programmer for many many years. There is so much to the art of programming, that much more energy than I had was required to study and learn it.

And there was the key - energy. I see people who excel to great things in their jobs and careers, including programmers, and they have ENERGY. They're excited, passionate, and it comes naturally to them to put in the extra time because IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE WORK.

From there, I realized that there are other things I do in my life that technically are work, but they don't feel like it. And I'd think about those things and realize not only did I "work" hard, but I felt amazing afterwards.

"Oh," I realized. THIS is what my job/career needs to feel like. It needs to energize me and not feel like work. Now, since yardwork is not a career option at this point (and believe it or not, I love doing yardwork), I thought about other activities that inspire my passion.

Enter my MBA classes. With the study of money, finances, presentations, and groupwork, I found that even after being drained at 5pm from a day at work, my energy would ramp up from 5:30-9 during my classes. THIS, I realized, is what gets me. These kinds of activities are where I need to be (group-work, leading, coordinating, project related work). In this kind of position, with this high an energy level, I can be "great" in my field without it feeling like work. That, I believe, is the key to being most effective. Having a profession or occupation that fills you with energy, rather than depleting it.

So, I set out looking for exactly that. I believe I'll get there, too; my level of enthusiasm is too high for this to stay off my radar. I'm excited at the prospect of having this new kind of career and job experience, and know I'll be a boon to whichever organization can put me in this role.