By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC
Asking questions is something we all do. And lately, I find myself asking many types of questions about how we can be more successful in the New Work World and beyond. A quote I heard recently by Charleston Parker, a self-taught theologian and scholar, struck me as a framework for asking questions that might yield productive ideas. He wrote:
“In life, you have 3 choices. Give up, give in, or give it your all.”
Sitting in my chair as a Recruiting Consultant for over thirty (30) years, I hear many things from Employers, Candidates, and Recruiters. I began to use this framework to ask some important questions that might facilitate new growth, development and expansion in these changing times. You might use these questions and write your own answers. Let’s take a look at this and see if it might offer any hope and inspiration for positive change in your life.
1. Give Up
When I think of “giving up,” the question comes to mind about what I can give up that will help me move forward. We can all choose a new direction and find our way to a better future with a positive mindset and strong determined mental attitude. I think the most important thing we can all give up during these changing and challenging times is that there is only one way to do something. We are the pilot in our own plane of life and we can navigate this plane to a safe landing by the choices we make, the attitudes we develop, and the habits and routines we put in place. Some of the attitudes and beliefs that might be given up to achieve better success in the New Work World, from a recruiter’s point of view, might be the following:
In these unprecedented talent shortage times, give up the fact that every box has to be checked on the job order form. Why not consider looking at transferrable skills, removing the degree requirement, and being open to a hybrid schedule of work? With so many jobs available post-Covid, and a severe shortage of candidates, employers might be able to have greater productivity and add to the bottom line if they are open to new hiring methods that have been proven to work well for many in the New Work World.
As a candidate, maybe you need to ask yourself how you can “give up” your attitude of only doing what’s in the job description. How can you assist in other areas in your company, learn new skills, maybe take a shorter lunch or work a bit longer to get the job done and consequently be viewed as one of the most valuable employees in the company? This changed mindset might also put you in line for that big promotion you have often dreamed about. Why not make it come to fruition sooner because of giving up the attitude of “It’s not in my job description?”
2. Give In
In the traditional sense when I think of “giving in,” I think about conceding to another person (or viewpoint) you don’t truly believe. But sometimes you have to give in to reach a solution together. Giving in can be a compromise and that’s a healthy part of any relationship whether it’s a business partner, family member, friend, or other important person in your life. In the work world, if the boss wants you to send in a report every Monday morning at 8:30 am. and it conflicts with when you have to get your child fed, dressed, and to school, etc., maybe you collaborate with others in your home and ask for assistance. Initiate a compromise to be able to honor your work commitments and give in to the request in a positive, deliberate way in order to have the assignment done on a timetable that is not necessarily convenient to you.
Give in to the fact that we are all in this together and whether we are an employer or employee, concessions must be made on both sides to achieve productivity, low turnover, and a positive workplace environment. If we can “give in” to the fact that we are all HUMAN and the HUMAN element is universal, it will make our personal and professional lives all the more bearable in these changing times.
3. Give It Your All
When I think of “give it your all,” I think we need to keep in mind that we can all perform at a stellar level with the many changes and challenges among us. We can still reorient our mental map and create success routes for our present and future. Even if times are uncertain, your future doesn’t have to be. Embrace personal development now. When in doubt, we can GROW along the way! Let’s look at all the change going on in the workplace as positives to allow us to become our best selves.
Now might be the time in your life to “give it your all” to that new skill you have always wanted to have by taking online or in-person classes. Maybe take a writing class to expand your skillset or what about a dance class to meet new people and get some exercise? Also, if you are an employer, “give it your all” could mean having more lunches or dinners or even attending sporting events with your employees to foster more harmony in the office.
I choose to look at the quote by Charleston Parker, “Give Up, Give In, Or Give It Your All,” as positive in all regards. Decide what you want to “Give Up and Give In,” but make sure whatever you do, you “GIVE IT YOUR ALL!”
Mary Ann Faremouth
Mary Ann holds a CPC (Certified Personnel Consultant) credential, was certified by the Board of Regents of the National Association of Personnel Consultants in Washington, D.C., and was awarded an Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Leader Bronze Awards by Toastmasters. She cofounded Jobs: Houston magazine in 1997. Mary Ann maintains affiliations with professional organizations, including oil and gas, financial, construction, IT, and structural, mechanical, and civil engineering. (www.faremouth.com)
Mary Ann’s award-winning first book Revolutionary Recruiting has been listed by Book Authority as Number #1 Best 100 Recruiting Books; #1 Best Seller, Non-Fiction, Amazon (2019); Top 20 Recruiting books, Recruitics; Readers’ Choice finalist (2019), Houston Literary Awards; Best Non-Fiction (2018), Best Cover (2019), and Best Self-Help (2018), Authors Marketing Guild. Her books support individuals and corporations, tap into each candidate’s unrealized potential to find the right person for each job, maximizing both employee satisfaction and the employer’s bottom line. Mary Ann showcases her expertise of the recruiting world on a monthly podcast for The Price of Business and weekly articles for USA Business. Her new workbook, Revolutionary Reinvention, was recently released on Amazon. Mary Ann lives in Houston, Texas.