Write your own Job Description

Last time the topic was “your contribution,” that which only you can offer and if you don’t, it won’t happen. I trust you saw it. I’ve been experiencing some Internet glitches. If not, it’s there in the list of recent posts at the right.

This time the topic is what that contribution might look like as you work to carry it out.

In the nine-to-five working world, the concept of a job description is pretty normal. Maybe it’s written, maybe not; either way there’s an expectation between manager and worker of what needs to be done, to what ends, and more-or-less how.

Here we’re talking about drawing one up for yourself. Though only you will see it, putting it in writing makes it more real, and thus more useful.

First, how many hours per day are you willing to commit to your occupation? We’re talking here about a self-occupation, something of your own unique contribution. It’ll be outside of whatever else you’ve got going or whatever others are expecting of you. So you need to be realistic, not expecting too much.

But if you don’t commit to “something,” years can go by with “nothing.”

Then, which hours, morning or afternoon, or other? If not every day, which days? If it all isn’t pretty specific, it’ll get away from you. You lose your momentum . . . the good idea starts to slip away and ends up in the dusty file cabinets of so many others that have gone before.

Then, describe the activities. And the results aimed for. And benchmarks of progress.

There can be many other aspects of a job description but these are probably enough. It need not be cumbersome, certainly not onerous. You’re doing it for yourself. You’re setting up an expectation for yourself and then are committing to doing it. Simple.

It’s all part of taking yourself seriously, and your contribution.

So get that job description going. Have your boss check it over. (That’s you, too.) Make sure it’s realistic . . . not too much, not too little. Have your two selves agree to it. And then start showing up for work.

You’ll be surprised how, in time, things are happening that weren’t before, with results that will please you, and everybody else.

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PS For those interested in Vernon’s ongoing progress, here’s yesterday’s update by daughter Allison. You’ll enjoy the photos included as well, taken by another family member, Nicole. It’s here: sansoxygen.com/miss/