While in discussion about a book I and two of my co-workers are reading, one of them asked the questions as to what drains you? One of the characters in this book is reflecting on the fact that certain activities at work cause him to become irritable and that is partially because certain activities drain him of his energy. While other activities cause him to come alive with energy and motivation.
When the question of what drains you was asked, I didn’t have a well-formed answer. I had not given it much thought, beyond my active reading. I’m still not exactly sure how much progress I’ve made answering the question.
Dealing with issues and projects that focus on items that I do not see advancing the good of the organization would be a start. This ranges from personnel issues to compliance reporting that has little to no value. Such activities might be necessary and ‘part of the job’, but do not energize me at all. Personnel issues, those in particular that are built around complaining, and not around personal self-reflection , often feel like a listening session. Often times that is what is needed. Yet, I cannot help but think of the time ‘wasted’. Part of my perception probably stems from the way I was raised when working. My first experience working was with cattle and the second was with cleaning rental apartments. Both of these activities were very much about getting the job done. The thought of complaining was something limited strictly for me, myself, and I. I do recall once telling my mom about the unfairness of my $1 a week allowance/wage. I was told something along the lines of the fact that I wasn’t paying to live in the house, wasn’t charged for all the food I ate or clothes that were bought for me. That made a lot of sense to me and I remember that the conversation ended very soon after those points were made.
After this short reflection, I would say that activities that are counter to my either learned or innate desire to get things done with minimal bitching and moaning are a drain. Intense periods of focus are a drain too, but not in the same sense. Intense focus that is oriented toward an outcome is very different than dealing with something that isn’t outcome oriented.