Work Equation

Have you ever wondered what makes you tick at work?

The other night I was hanging out with my friend and we were talking about our individual jobs and careers. Mid-way through the bantering he came up with this equation (see how I always get excited when there is an equation involved somewhere to explain life) which really made a lot of sense on many levels.

Work Equation = Ability x Expertise x Drive

1) Ability: defined as the talent that enables someone to do something

We are all good at something. Be it the gift of the gap, creative work, love numbers, something. Thus as much as we can, we try to find something which is within our realm of knowledge where we know we can carry out the role to the best of our means we know how.

2) Expertise: defined as skill or knowledge in a particular field

En route to growing up, we are always nagged at our parents to study. Back then, for me I could never figure out what the big deal was. But yes it was essentially to build up the basic knowledge and carve out something for yourself as we move along (don't worry I have figured this part out haha).

3) Drive: defined as the compel or force to work, often excessively

In everything that we do, to do it well, we got to have the drive to reach the end goal. Often times this is being associated with passion. Someone used to tell me that with passion, in anything that you do, half the battle is won. This is true as it creates a chain effect of things where passion leads to drive which ultimately leads to hard work and better results.

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For some, the equation is more of an addition (+) for everything and not multiply (x). The problem with that is when you discover that you have zero ability/expertise/drive, you can still manage a good scoring. However, if it is multiplied, if one of the 3 factors is zero, you are as good as nothing. 

Now, out of the 3 factors, one factor is tied emotionally to you and that is 'Drive'. It is the only thing that changes when you are already in a particular job (without ability and expertise, you would hardly be hired unless if you're in a very junior role). So, have you ever felt lousy at work and started contemplating what 'Life' is all about? That's because your emotional self is affecting your work drive. 

Humans are generally driven by emotions and it usually creates a cascading effect on the things that we do. Environment and mindset plays a very pivotal role in whether you go to work today feeling happy or wished the day would end. Depending on which part of the life cycle you're at, drive will determine how you lead your work life in the days ahead. 

So my friends, if you find yourself not finding the drive, take a step back and reflect. Dig deep. Sometimes the problem is not apparent. It can be frustrating because you can't seem to pin-point where in your sub-conscious is it that is affecting your daily life. Talk it out, you might be surprised at what kind of perspective the person on the opposite end of the table is able to give you. Discover.