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9 things I’d do if I started a new job tomorrow

Posted on 06. Apr, 2010 by Brett in Wrk

I have no intention of starting a new job anytime soon, but if I did, here are 9 things I’d start doing immediately:

1. Humble myself – Humility is such an endearing trait and underrated in the business world. Walk in every morning with an attitude that says, “It is a ridiculous privilege that they pay me to come to this building every day.” Oh, and humble does not = timid pushover.

2. Serve like crazy - Intentionally seek out the most inglorious tasks in the office, the things that suck and no one wants to do. The things that drive everyone crazy. Do those things.

3. Ask questions about work - I’d ask 25-50 work questions a day. Seriously. By doing this, I accelerate the learning process tenfold. Most will passively wait, hoping to absorb what they need. Blah. That’s only good for sponges and girls in tanning beds. The people around you are like old rusty treasure chests of knowledge. Get out a crow bar and go to work with tons of questions.

4. Ask questions about people – People fascinate me. They have interesting lives and colorful stories they’re dying to share. But no one ever asks. No one. Activate joy in your co-workers by asking questions about them, their families, and their interests.

5. Smile a lot - And while I was at it, I’d high-five, hug, and yell some too. Just try it.

6. Work late - I’d work a lot, and I’d work late. If you haven’t figured this out yet, successful people don’t get that way by working from 9 to 5. It doesn’t matter how many hours they’re paying you for! How many hours does it take to get the job done, and then some? I don’t worry about becoming a work-a-holic. I worry instead about farting away my free time on fun, meaningless things. Of course, there has to be balance and I don’t ever want to neglect my family and friends. I’d invest lots (not all) of my free time back into my trade.

7. Tell my boss that my job is to make him rich – Not every day. But tell him this once. Mean it, and then go do it.

8. Subscribe to 10 blogs – If I hadn’t already done it, I’d subscribe to a blog reader like this one. Then I’d search for the top ten blogs in my field. Who are the top bloggers on commercial real estate, or accounting, or human resources? I’d subscribe to all those blogs and read them every day, first thing in the morning.

9. Follow 10 new people on Twitter – Like #8, I’d track down the top people in my new field on Twitter (trust me, they’re on there). I’d follow them. I’d watch who else they talk to. I’d read the links they post. I might even reach out to them and ask if they’d mentor me for 15 minutes a week via Skype. Yes it will feel awkward, and yes you should do it anyway.

What else would you do if you started a job tomorrow?