UXL Blog

Copyright Margaret Smith, UXL: Creating Successful Leaders

One of the activities I often use in my career-based workshops is one that involves your personal highs and lows. It gets you thinking about your greatest moments and your worst moments, the times you felt like you were on Cloud 9 and the times when you felt like just throwing in the towel.

The reason I enjoy giving this activity is because it gives direction; it makes you realize what you like most about your career, what you like least, and what really, really needs to change. It also helps give you a voice–to ask for what you don’t currently have. Not finding the support you need at work? Seek it out. Not finding your optimal productivity? Think of when you were most productive and figure out how to recreate that environment.

This activity will give you a good starting point, but it may take some further detective work and guidance to truly figure out the next steps you need to take to be happy at work. I’m here to help with those next steps. In the meantime, take ten minutes out of your day to reflect and spend meaningful time on the following activity. Enjoy!

Grab a pen and paper and jot down a few sentences in response to the following prompts. Then, spend some time thinking about what your answers mean and write down an action plan to achieve your best self.

1a. Think of a time when you were the most productive. What were the circumstances and why do you think you were highly productive?

1b. Think of a time when you felt the least productive. What were the circumstances?

2a. Think of a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging or community. Write about it.

2b. Think of a time when you felt the least sense of belonging. Write about it.

3a. Think of a time when you were learning the most. What were you learning? How did that time feel?

3b. Think of a time when you were learning the least. What were the circumstances?

4a. Think of a time when you were having the most fun. Why do you think that was?

4b. Think of a time when you were having the least fun. Why?

It is important to give yourself time to reflect and think about these questions, but it is just as important to create an action plan after you’re done reflecting. What areas matter most to you? Do you care about productivity, but are not concerned with learning? Do you want to prioritize a sense of belonging in your life and career? List some ideas that will help you maximize your priority areas.

If you’d like to discuss this activity, or if you have any questions, please reach out and contact me at any time.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM

Tags: career action plan, career coach Margaret Smith, career reflection activity, community, have fun at work, learning at work, Lifelong Learning, personal reflection activity, productivity at work, self discovery, sense of belonging