I was recently asked what my current level of engagement at work was. According to the most recent Gallup survey (a company that seeks to improve work place environment) done in August of 2018 showed 34% of workers are engaged while at work. They define engagement as involved, enthusiastic, and committed. Gallup also noted that 16.5% were "actively disengaged" meaning they have "miserable work experiences". If you just watched the video above, on average 28,835 days makes up our entire life and 3,202 days are at our work place.
What is your level of engagement during those 3,202 days? This video to me was very humbling. I reflected not only on my level of engagement at work, but also with my family, friends, and hobbies. I hope that when my jelly beans are gone that I will have spent more than 564 days on the needs and well-being of others. I hope that I haven't wasted too many of my jelly beans on things and life that don't matter...unless they are the black licorice jelly beans...I will gladly throw those out! One of my favorite quotes is, "if you're not living for someone else, than you are wasting your time." How can I continue to invest in others? I believe that if I find more meaningful ways to invest in others it will result in increased engagement. The study by Gallup goes on to say, "The remaining 53% of workers are in the "not engaged" category. They may be generally satisfied but are not cognitively and emotionally connected to their work and workplace; they will usually show up to work and do the minimum required but will quickly leave their company for a slightly better offer." Do we really want to go through life "generally satisfied"? I have told our basketball players at Darby, if we just clock in and clock out each day and play a few games we are missing out on so much of what basketball is all about. The same applies for your work/school environment. I believe that we all desire to be fully satisfied and engaged but we have to do the work. We have to shift our mindset and take the best next step one thought, one decision, one day at a time. I bet you'll think of this video the next time you eat a jelly bean!
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This week I had the opportunity to be the school mascot at an assembly. I know it is hard to tell from the picture but our school mascot is a dolphin. Yes, I knew it would present opportunities for my friends and family to ridicule, repost, and create memes. But I also knew it would make others laugh. Chelsea Handler stated, "Laugh loudly, laugh often, and most important, laugh at yourself." I never would have thought that 3 days later kids in school would come up to me with a huge smile on their faces saying, "I saw you as Dolly the Dolphin!" I always denied the statement to keep the mascots identity a secret and say, "that wasn't me",despite my entire face being visible, which causes another smile from ear to ear.
It's not normal to wear a mascot costume at work. But it created a powerful moment of connection. Think about your most special memories in your life. Your wedding, a graduation, the birth of a child, a surprise party! All of these moments break the script of "normal" life and that is why we remember them. I struggled with this next question. In what ways am I abnormal? I once read, it's okay to be normal, but you just have to have average expectations. If you want to connect with your students, stand out at work, and to build stronger relationships then you have to think and act abnormally. If you’re struggling with the question above like I am, I would suggest starting small. Make one abnormal action to create a positive moment for others and I bet it will start to become a habit. |