Find the Treasure in Your Job!

I’ve been an admirer of Mel Fisher’s story from afar. He’s the treasure hunter that day after day would quip “Today’s the Day” until finally he found his treasure. It helped motivate him each day and remind why he was doing what he was doing.

My version of this is to remind myself daily that I have the best job in the world.

I started using this mantra about 9 years ago when I was traveling a great deal while working with Royal Caribbean. I would travel ship to ship and meet with executive teams to identify best practices and then write policy to be implemented across the entire company. I remember one day thinking how tedious the job was and how I was getting burned out by all the travel. Upon arrival back to the home office in Miami, one of my land based colleagues said to me how incredible it was I got to travel the world and see things very few people got the chance to experience. I reflected for a few minutes and thought to myself, I really do have the best job in the world. I began to focus on the positive aspects of that job and realizing how lucky I was to be gaining that experience.

Since that day, I’ve often introduced myself at new employee orientations, leadership trainings, public speaking engagements and almost every chance I get, as having the best job in the world. I then list the attributes that I really love about my job. I’m sincere in my statement. This helps me focus on everything that is right rather than getting distracted by aspects that aren’t as fun.

I truly do have the best job in the world. I have the amazing opportunity to meet new people every day. I am trusted as a guide for people making their next career move! Every day I learn from my team and hopefully get to teach them something new. I bring a new perspective to my colleague’s challenges and bring a solution that may have seemed impossible. I help people grow in their leadership journey and share their stories with other leaders I help in the future. I share my experiences and hopefully help others avoid my mistakes and reach new goals. What a phenomenal opportunity I have each and every day.

As I’ve had the great pleasure of recruiting and coaching leaders, I consistently recommend they focus on what they love about what they do. We all have development opportunities and those are often aligned with what we don’t love so much about our jobs. I’ve found that when I focus on why my job is so amazing, I’m able to develop skills much more quickly in the areas of the job that aren’t my favorite.

I challenge you to find the treasure in your job. Think about why you have the best job in the world and tell people about it. Remember, if you really think so, it will show to others. Positivity breeds positivity.