Episode Transcript
You feel bombarded in your engineering career with resources to help you improve.
Improve your approach. Improve your outcomes.
Work better. Work faster.
Be a better engineer. Be a better leader.
On and on.
You find no lack of advice from books and journals, people and podcasts.
Even though there’s plenty of self-improvement material, it’s no small feat to wade through it all.
To find what works for you. And then actually apply it.
Little Tasks Have Big Impact on Your Engineering Career
So to make it easy on you, I’ve compiled a list.
A list of easy things to do more of in your engineering career that make a difference without a lot of effort.
My first such list was back in Episode 82. You can check that out at HerEngineeringCareer.com/82.
This list is a follow-on to that list.
I regret not doing more of these simpler activities in my own engineering career.
I didn’t allow myself to indulge in what I thought were trivial tasks.
I felt I had to show my competence by always focusing on the bigger, more important responsibilities.
Now I see that I could have eased up on myself. The simpler activities are beneficial too.
You’ll be surprised at the consequences.
Not only are they feel-good in the moment, but they have long range positive impacts.
And sometimes lead to bigger and better things for you.
10 Activities to Get More Out of Your Engineering Career
Here are 10 more things to do more of – to get more out of – your engineering career.
- Do a heading check.
At a random time during your work day, take a pause and note the following related to what you’re working on:
- whether or not you like what you’re doing,
- what your contribution is, and
- the impact you’re having.
This gives you good data.
It helps you assess who you are as an engineer and what you might want to do next in your career.
You could also do a more in-depth SPOT Check.
SPOT stands for the Situation, Potential, Orientation, and Trajectory of your career.
More on this topic coming up in Episode 161.
- Invite a colleague to lunch.
Avoid the tendency to skip lunch or eat it on the fly. And instead use it to widen your network.
It’s an opportunity to make or strengthen a connection. And to feel more included and engaged in your organization or field.
- Give compliments.
Come up with 2 compliments or affirmations.
And give one to yourself and one to a coworker.
This has unmeasurable benefits for all. And it’s contagious.
- Apply your passion to your task today.
Whatever your task is, rethink how you might accomplish it by infusing more of your passion.
This will motivate you to complete the task, enhance the outcome and reinvigorate your day.
- Make a ta-da list.
A ta-da list is a list of the tasks you’ve already completed.
Make one for the day at the end of your day. To give yourself affirmation and kudos.
It’ll remind you of your accomplishments so you can celebrate them.
- Stand up and stretch.
Okay. Pretty self-explanatory.
Standing up and stretching has physical and mental benefits. And takes no time at all.
While you’re at it, re-energize by taking a few deep breaths.
Maybe even extend your stretch to a walk down the hall to get a drink of water.
- Create your next job.
Make an intention to ideate what your next ideal job might be.
Pull out all the stops. And think big.
Then work that idea into discussions about your development plan.
Help formulate your next role. And have a say in your job description.
- Go outside.
This might sound like it’s more hassle than it’s worth.
But it’s a great way to clear your head.
Feel the fresh air. And sunshine – even if it’s behind clouds.
And actually it’s not that much of a hassle.
Afterwards you’re always glad you did it.
- Take a daydreaming time-out.
Keep your creativity juices flowing by spending time alone just thinking.
Set a do-not-disturb block of time on your calendar. Set a timer if you need to.
Close your door. Turn off distractions. And just daydream.
Maybe you have a tricky problem to work out.
Maybe you’re coming up with a new design.
Or maybe you just need to let all your thoughts and ideas percolate.
- Be a role model.
No matter where you are in your career, you can be a role model for someone.
Figure out how. And do that.
Figure out how you can be less a person who looks up to others and more a person whom others look up to.
Here’s Your Challenge for a More Impactful Engineering Career
Don’t overlook these small but impactful activities.
I challenge you try them out in the coming weeks.
You’ll feel better and get more out of your job, your day and your engineering career.
Be sure to check out all my podcast episodes at HerEngineeringCareer.com/podcast or your favorite podcast app.
And when you’re ready to embrace more ways to get the most out of your engineering career, sign up for a strategy session with me.
Go to HerEngineeringCareer.com and click on Book A Strategy Session. Or contact me through my websiteor LinkedIn.
And let’s talk about ideas for you to love your career experience while making more of an impact.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll explore a tool you can use to do a career SPOT check and help identify your best next steps.
Be sure to tune in for Episode 161.
