Future Work/Life is my newsletter in which I explore the changing relationship between work and our personal lives. Every week, I share something I’ve written, a few things I’ve enjoyed reading, and something great to listen to. If you find it interesting, please share it!
The Writing:
Over the past few weeks, I’ve re-entered the ‘real world’ of work after several months away (hidden away in my spare room/office, at least) writing my book.
I’ve loved it. It’s been great catching with so many people, and meeting many more for the first time. The conversations have been wide-ranging, but there is one topic that comes up every time. Yes, rethinking how we work remains critically important. Burnout and wellbeing are also on people’s minds. But, the issue taking precedence? People are worried about the economy and what that means for business and jobs.
↑ THIS ↑ is why I’ve recently been so focused on writing about the importance of a point of view – against this backdrop, it’s how to stand out from the crowd.
So, while I’ll be returning to more’ work/life-y’ themes over the next few weeks, I wanted to share one more angle on this and some tips on getting started, even if you feel like you’re always busy.
In marketing, there’s always the new shiny object - the latest hack or methodology that becomes the ‘thing’ everyone has to do.
As soon as that happens, it’s your signal to do something else. By definition, if everyone is doing the same thing, it’s no longer unique. Your chances of ‘cutting through the noise’ reduce.
Here are some of the more recent examples:
Dark social
Personal branding
Product-led growth
Forget chasing fads and copying other people and focus instead on the power of ideas.
Growing your career relies on your ability to articulate why your ideas can solve the problems for your audience, whether they’re potential employers or customers.
After ten years as a founder and CEO, plus hundreds of conversations with business and thought leaders, the data is clear: the secret to creating category-defining careers and businesses is the clarity of your point of view.
The tools and tactics you use to communicate your insights will change and evolve, but what sits behind them - THE IDEAS - is what will transform you from ordinary to legendary.
If you’re thinking, “I haven’t got the time or resources to do this,” then try following these ten steps:
1. Be clear about why you’re doing it (goals & values)
2. Clarify your client’s Top 10 questions (pain points)
3. Articulate your point of view (focused on your category)
4. Develop 5 key talking points (one theme to write about per day)
5. Write down the journey your clients will go on (the story you’ll tell)
6. Identify obstacles that will hold you back (time and motivation)
7. Commit to redesigning your work/life (removing obstacles)
8. Create a 30-day content roadmap (your commitment)
9. Lean on community (accountability and support)
10. Set milestones (tracking progress & learnings)
There’ll always be new things coming in and out of fashion, but one thing that will never get old is the power of impactful ideas.
Let go of concepts like Product-Led Growth and embrace the magic of Idea-Led Growth. That’s how you’ll grow your career, and how your business will attract new clients and the best talent. You can do it if you have the right system in place and are ready to commit.
What’s the system you need?
A Work/Life Flywheel, of course ;)
If you want to learn more, I’m always happy to chat, so feel free to book a 15-minute call HERE.
And check out the Future Work/Life podcast this Wednesday, when Justin Welsh and I discuss more on how to create systems to increase your creative productivity in less time.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great week!
Ollie
The Reading:
There’s been some good recent research about how changes in how we work are affecting businesses, employees and an increasingly more flexible workforce. Here’s Gallup’s ‘State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report’, including their six key findings:
With burnout remaining a significant issue for many, the McKinsey Health Institute asks whether we’re solving the ‘right problem’. TLDR; Individuals experience burnout but can’t ‘fix it’ on their own - it takes organisational change:
Employers tend to overlook the role of the workplace in driving employee mental health and well-being, engagement, and performance
Employers can and should view high rates of burnout as a powerful warning sign that the organization—not the individuals in the workforce—needs to undergo meaningful systematic change.
The Listening:
There are two podcasts to listen to this week, mainly because this one follows on so well from the link above. HR thought leader, Josh Bersin, explains why, partly due to burnout, ‘Employees Are Fed Up, And They’re Not Going To Take It Any More.’
And finally, thanks to Dror Poleg for flagging this conversation between Tyler Cowen and Marc Andreessen. As Dror, summarises, Andreessen has some interesting insights on the benefits (or otherwise) of the office, including:
The office is a construct of a particular historical time and place.
Hybrid work is often the worst of both worlds.
Remote work will have far-reaching consequences, far beyond the office.
The biggest risk is the one you didn't take.