What Qualities Make Your Work Satisfying?

Originally Published 12.20.2017

Time really flies so fast. It has been a little over 4.5 years since I founded Six Sigma PH, and started a Lean Six Sigma independent consulting career full-time. It was a big risk. A path less traveled. It was never easy, choosing high-risk work over a handsome and guaranteed monthly paycheck, bountiful variable bonuses, benefits, and a gold-plated title from a multinational company to boast about. Initially, I thought I'd have more free time to spend, but it was the exact opposite. I was burning the oil from midnight to noon to midnight. I thought working as an independent professional meant having no boss, but it turns out, that all my clients are my bosses- with different needs, wants attitudes, and expectations. Doing not just what I am an expert, in but also market research, business development, client management, supplier sourcing, finance & accounting, and other functions, are the reasons why only a few dare to be in this situation.

However, receiving countless "Thank you to you Rex, and to your team" from many students who have been promoted, improved their careers, contributed positive business results, and saved millions for their businesses and their companies, make it worth it.

Also, having autonomy, the challenge of complexity, and the line of sight between effort and rewards, make it all worth it.

I'll end with a quote from M. Gladwell's best-selling book- Outliers.

"Those 3 things- autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and rewards- are, most people agree, the 3 qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying. Not how much money we make that ultimately makes us happy between 8 to 5." ---Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell

PS Do you experience the said 3 qualities at work: Autonomy, complexity, and a direct connection between effort and rewards? If not, now is a perfect time to reflect and make the big move in 2018. Do you want to be a full-time theater actor? A singer? Start a restaurant? An entrepreneur Studying law? Be a chef or a fashion designer? It is never too late. You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul!

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