bmw wins this round!
Are you a toe-dipper, or do you dive right into the deep end?
Sometimes people play by the rules at work, but throw away the manual when it comes to other aspects of their lives, such as love, friendship and personal hobbies or interests.
Any given day, we come up with genius ways to spend our time. (Whether scrap booking, shooting hoops with friends or even shopping to match accessories, impulsive creativity drives your leisurely time.) What we don’t always realize is that every day we take risks. Even in the simplest act of choosing a new paper for a scrap book, a slam dunk attempt, or taking a chance on a flashy outfit you wouldn’t normally buy.
The question is: why are we all so afraid to transition these natural urges of spontaneity into the workplace?
And I don’t mean adding hazelnut creamer to coffee instead of French Vanilla. Think a little bigger.
Everyone is so afraid of what others think that they change their image without realizing it. Being a little more light-hearted and not taking everything so seriously has its advantages. For example, you can respond to customers more naturally, and audiences can relate (Exhibit A: the BMW ad at top of this story, which makes it impossible not to smile).
Yeah, I know, the economy is rocky. But just because you are incredibly lucky enough to have a job, doesn’t mean you should become a “yes man (or woman)” at the office while trying to play it safe. You might be doing something more harmful to your career – making yourself invisible.
Being invisible is never a good thing, especially right now. If something happens to your job or company, you want to be a first round draft pick to employers that they can’t afford to not pick up immediately.
You have to be indispensable. More often than not, this involves being a game-changer. A star. Someone not afraid to defend their ideas and explain why those ideas are crucial to the company’s success. Someone who doesn’t get in ruts at work because they are constantly seeking ways to improve professionally.
Few Quick Tips one becoming a risk taker in the workplace:
- Volunteer for new tasks in your down time, instead of checking your personal email or facebook.
- Stay on top of industry news and trends
- Attend workshops and conferences on a regular basis
- Network at relevant professional organizations and actually try to connect them to your contacts with no ulterior motive
- Share your special talents with an organization in need. Amazing things can happen when designers or marketers reach out to assist in campaigns for the community. Ad2 Orlando, Rock for Hunger, Charity Chicks, CANStruction and Mel’s Bad Girls Club are just a few great examples of these proactive teams giving back. There are also a ton of ways to stay active while promoting your company giving back to your community, like March of Dimes Mud Volleyball or Charity Challenge.
- Survey customers and pitch ways to remedy problems to your supervisor
- Communicate with other departments constantly, and see what you can do to make each other’s lives easier and work will flow more seamlessly
- Always stay curious – is there a reason we do things a certain way? If so, is this still the best and most cost-effective way?
- Be nice and courteous, from co-worker to the UPS worker. If there is ever a way to make someone’s day brighter, do it.
Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is? ~Frank Scully
I challenge you to embrace risks and seek creative improvements constantly. I’ll bet you notice an increase in positive feedback from employers, coworkers and most importantly, yourself.
I just learned about the BMW ad in my Consumer Behavior class.
It’s great! lol