This Week’s Good Work Insight

Dull–great.

Boring–even better.

(No, this is not an argument for the next communist utopia [even if it could avoid murder].)

Here is what I am asserting: Until you master the mundane, you are not mature. If you are not mature, then you still need to grow, and if you still need to grow, then you need to change.

In Andrew Abela’s Super Habits, he shares an anecdote about Carly Fiorina, who, after quitting law school and becoming a front desk receptionist at a

California real estate agency, ultimately went on to become the first female CEO of a Fortune 20. In her role as a receptionist, Fiorina (1) prepared herself mentally for the mundaneness of the work by committing to learn everything she could to be excellent at it, and (2) then she learned to master every aspect of the role.

Because Fiorina was excellent, other people in the office came to her. She learned new aspects of the business, and she sought to master those, too, which she did.

In Matthew Kelly’s Dream Manager (which has an intro by Pat Lencioni), Kelly writes that work is supposed to help us become a better version of ourselves . . . cleaning toilets can help us become more virtuous. When we learn to do unpleasant tasks well, we learn to swim upstream. G. K. Chesterton said, “A dead thing goes with the flow. Only a living thing can swim upstream.” Living things do hard things–unlpeasant things–well.

In Humility Rules by Brother Wetta, he talks about the importance of humility and humble actions. Acts of humility are essential to human beings living in community–especially families and work communities. Wetta gives homework at the end of each chapter: pick up trash off the floor, clean a toilet, listen to a story again you’ve already heard someone tell, etc.

The dull and mundane are opportunities and invitations to grow.

Master the mundane at work. Become a better version of yourself.

Blessings of Diligence to You and Yours,

CEO & Founder