Rediscover joy in your (product) work.
This week: We walk through a simple guide to loving what you do.
Have you ever paused to ask yourself if you still enjoy your work?
In the tech world, we often rush from one project to the next, but taking a moment to reflect can make a significant difference.
Whether you’re coding, managing projects, or dreaming up some magical features that solve all the world’s problems, understanding what you love about your job and finding ways to enhance it can lead to a more satisfying career.
Let’s explore a simple guide to help you rediscover joy in your product career.
Check In with Yourself
How Are You Feeling About Your Job?
Take a moment to consider how your work makes you feel.
Do you wake up excited about your projects, or are you simply getting through the day?
I like to write down my thoughts about it in OneNote.
It doesn’t need to be extensive - just a few notes about what you enjoy and what frustrates you.
Regular reflections, like after completing a big project or at the end of each sprint, can be very insightful.
Discover What You Like
What Makes You Happy at Work?
Think about the parts of your job that you find genuinely enjoyable.
This could be digging into user data, designing a new feature, or collaborating with your team.
List these tasks and reflect on why they make you happy.
Is it the challenge, the creativity, or something else?
Understanding why can help you find or create more opportunities for these tasks.
Look for Patterns
Identify patterns in the work you enjoy doing.
Are there specific types of projects or technologies that consistently excite you? (Like CRMs? They’re pretty dreamy)
This can provide clues about what to focus on in your role.
For example, if working with cutting-edge technology always energizes you, consider advocating for more innovation in your team and product. You don’t have to revolutionize the industry with every feature, but you can at least have a conversation about exploring these solutions further when the time is right.
Spot Areas for Improvement
What’s Not Working for You?
Now, think about the aspects of your job that are draining your energy.
Are there repetitive tasks, outdated systems, or frequent meetings that you find unproductive?
Recognizing these pain points is the first step toward making improvements.
Understand the Impact
Consider how these challenges affect your mood and productivity.
Are they causing burnout or slowing you down?
Understanding their impact can help prioritize what to address first.
Perhaps it's time to suggest more efficient communication tools or look into automating repetitive tasks.
Have Open Conversations
Ready to Talk?
Before discussing changes, organize your thoughts and determine what you can change internally and what you want to change within your teams or company.
If we’re going down the team route, think about what you want to communicate and what changes you hope to see.
Be clear about your needs and support your points with examples or past successes.
Talk to Your Team
Discuss your ideas with your manager or team lead.
Approach these conversations with a collaborative mindset, focusing on solutions and improvements.
Be open to feedback and ready to work together on finding the best path forward.
This might reveal new opportunities or adjustments you hadn’t considered to your role.
Negotiate Changes
Depending on the change you want to explore, it may make sense to discuss possible changes to your responsibilities or work environment.
This might include taking on more projects you enjoy or exploring new tools.
Be flexible and aim to find solutions that benefit you and your team.
Take Action and Follow Through
Make a Plan
Create a straightforward plan to implement the changes you’ve discussed.
Break it down into manageable steps and set some deadlines.
For example, if you’re learning a new technology, set milestones for completing tutorials or integrating it into your current projects.
Check Your Progress
Review your progress regularly and adjust your plan as needed.
Simple metrics like personal satisfaction or feedback from colleagues can help you stay on track.
Modify your approach based on what’s working and what isn’t.
Celebrate Your Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, even small achievements.
Recognizing your improvements can keep you motivated, especially if you’re backing them with data.
Reflect on how these changes enhance your tech career, and consider sharing your successes with your team.
Final Thoughts
Finding joy in your tech career involves understanding what makes you happy, identifying areas for improvement, and taking steps to make positive changes.
It’s a continuous process, but each step can lead to a more satisfying and fulfilling professional life.
Start today by checking in with yourself and planning for a more fulfilling tomorrow.
Thanks for reading Product Party.
Drop me a message, and let’s talk about product things.
In a demanding job like this it's easy to get burned out! 🔥
Sometimes, I tend to give more importance to the negative aspects of chaos within companies.
But it's damaging to think that just because things have been done this way for a long time doesn't necessarily mean they can't change.
However, as soon as you raise your voice and propose improvements that will benefit others, you are making your work more interesting and perhaps more purposeful.
Thanks for this reminder, Mike!