how to be in the zone at work by intersecting your talent, opportunity, and passion (t.o.p.)

Wendy Spies - GreatBridgeGroup.comwendy@stanfordalumni.org

T.O.P.How I think about being in the zone.

When was the last time you were in the zone at work?

The zone is where great work is flowing out of you, where everything is

effortless…

How did that feel? How did the rest of your life feel?Did you love getting out of bed in the morning?

Wouldn’t you want to do that every day?

You should be in the zone at least 50% of the time.

Are you?

If you aren’t in the zone as regularly as you like, I have a simple idea that will improve your situation.

T.O.P. – If you align your Talent, Opportunity, and Passion at work, then you will be in the zone!

THE ZONE

How do you get in the zone? What are your Talents, Opportunities, and Passions?

THE ZONE

Your talent is your natural ability to do something consistently well.

Talent: Do you know what you excel at?

• What do people come and ask you for? • What do they tell you that you are good at? • When you are in a group, what tasks always fall on your shoulders?

Your opportunity is the chance to do something valuable for the organization. Opportunity: Are you able to say ‘I have the opportunity to do what-I-do-best every day at work’?

What needs to get done that isn't being done? Or done better?What jobs is your company always recruiting for? Or the competition?Which people generating the most revenue? Ideas? Making decisions?If they had 10 more hours in the week, what would they do?If they could hire 2 more people, what would they do? What if you stopped doing something what would happen?

Passion is the energy that comes from bringing more of you into what you do. Passion: Do you know what gets you out of bed in the morning?

What do you volunteer for whenever you get the chance?What were you doing the last time you lost track of time at work?What was the last project you wish had not ended?

My Talent, Opportunity, and Passion is…

THE ZONE

We have created a scalable customer insights system, so that companies will have a deeper understanding of the things that people need and how to bring that to them.

At Great Bridge I add great value to the organization every day doing what I am good at and love.

You can too, if you align your Talents, Opportunities, and Passions.

Questions?

Wendy Spieswendy@stanfordalumni.orgGreatBridgeGroup.comAccurate Customer Insights

Appendix

Why is it that the company would want you to be doing your best every day?

Because they make more money!

Identify

Strengths

The Right Fit

Great Managers

Engaged Customers

Real Profit Increase

Engaged Employees

Stock Increase

Sustainable Growth

Are you only 2/3rds there?

Talent Opportunity“Old Soldiers” The organization gets good results. (But you feel used up)

Opportunity Passion

“Fully Engaged”You take initiative. You are fully involved in and enthusiastic about your work. (But you aren’t any good at it)

TalentPassion“Happy Monkey” You can’t wait to get started, you’re doing what you love to do. (But the organization gets no benefit)

Stuck? Go A Little Broader

Does any of that interest you?

• What are people one or two steps away from you doing? Who are the influencers you know and would like to know?

• Who looks like they are having the most fun? Or getting the most praise?

• What your old friends doing? friends of friends?

Are you really blocked?

Understand your fears and seek help! • Get a trusted friend and tell them what you

are doing! Commit to it.• Recruit other advocates.• Understand your barriers. What do you need

to overcome? (not knowing, discomfort) Create a plan.

• What are you willing to give up to get your dream job?