Pause for a second and ask yourself: Why do you work?

Achievement is addicting.  Reflection and celebration come less natural to Type A leaders. We typically blow right past the moment to pause, savor and celebrate why we work. That’s why Christmas morning is so special.  The 12 days of Christmas have now passed. As I turn off the colored Christmas lights outside, I’m pausing to reflect.  I’m practicing what I preach.

Working closely with leaders, I often see people (young and old) make “to do” lists just so they can cross things off the list.  Seriously!  Who doesn’t get a buzz when you set a goal and make it happen?  It’s achievement addiction. But lists are also important around the holidays for other reasons.  Whether you are Christian or not…you’ve probably made a list, checked it twice and rewarded the people you love for being both naughty and nice. It’s about love and forgiveness… and it produces a powerful goodness buzz.

In our coaching research, we continually ask the question:
“Which of the Seven Fs best describes why you work?” The choices are:
faith, family, finances, fitness, friends, fun and future. No one ever says: Fitness! Most say “family” with  faith, finances, friends, fun and future all tied for second.  The last week of the year is definitely “family time”, so it is a natural time to pause, savor and celebrate.

This year, I noticed people on both sides of my family who are ‘retired’ and still working as much as ever: building the future by shaping the character of their grandchildren.  It’s goodness in the simplest expression.

So which of the Seven Fs best describes why you work?

Faith? Family? Finances? Fitness? Friends? Fun? Future?

Does your answer surprise you?

Good leaders make a habit of pausing to savor the satisfaction of why we work. And we make important goals to keep us feeling the goodness buzz when we check them off the list.

So, please share with me: what goodness goals are on your list for this year?