Work Like It Is Your Last Day

Last week, I was coaching an executive woman of culture, whom a week earlier gave her notice as she had accepted a promotion in a new organization.  My client and I have worked together for over a year and this coaching session felt exceptionally lighter and more joyful. 

In coaching, going deeper to understand the why behind ways of being is impactful. When we did just that, my client uncovered a repeated pattern I have seen with women of culture. Her joy came from releasing the emotional weight of not fully sharing what they see (fear of judgment with less room for error), releasing the hidden excess responsibilities taken on (fear of underperforming), and releasing the burden of being highly visible for all the wrong reasons (our body holds the weight/energy).

In the 30+ years of my professional career, before leaving a role the guidance I have been told:

-      Don’t burn a bridge, you may need to cross again

-      Always always end on a high note

-      Do your best right to the end, it’s your reputation

These are simply good words of wisdom AND they are based on uncertainty/fear.  Why? Because as an example, I see women of culture have been repeatedly shown there is little trust in honest shares, so hindering their future. The best option is to stay silent and act positively.  

Working with women of culture leaders, it is important to work like it is our last day. Yes, it is nuanced as today we work being aware there is less space to make an error. This heightens the extra burden of responsibility in roles, taking more time out of personal lives to get it ‘just right' (perfectionism tendencies) or ruminating on communications between leaders, peers, or direct reports, overthinking as a way of desperately seeking to understand/act as needed for others.   

Working like it is your last, releases us of the excess burdens as we know by leaving the narratives don’t matter. With a resignation letter in hand, I have over and over again seen women of culture leaders becoming more relaxed, enjoying the company of colleagues, and taking the risks a bit more about what is important to them. 

Two key actions Women of Culture can take today (with their pretend resignation letter in hand):

-      Comprehend what in your role is most consequential to your leader (helps discern responsibilities and reduce work)

-      Make it your mission to understand what your organization values the most, informally (Collaboration? Long hours? Connections/contacts? Don’t assume it’s only hierarchy)

My client from last week reflected on how much she could have made her current role so much more enjoyable by simply taking more time with family and shutting off the noise in her mind.  This way of being serves us powerfully and in turn the work we bring into the world. My client and I happily created a personal plan from her learnings to take into her new role. 

What would change if you worked like it was your last day in the role?