A Framework for Cutting the Crap and Being Honest with Yourself
A tool for reflecting on what works and what doesn’t at your job.
One of the most common complaints I get from clients is they don't have time to figure out what’s working and what’s not. Their work environment never provides an opportunity to slow down enough to reflect. This creates a distinct divide between desire and reality. One of the first things that we do in coaching is create the space for this reflection.
The most common tool I use for this is the Passion Skill Matrix developed by Todd Cherches.
A Four-Quadrant System for Getting it Right
We use this matrix to assess how passionate and skilled they are at their most common job activities. The matrix divides activities into four quadrants:
Sweet Spot – Like It and Good at It
Default Zone – Don’t Like It and Good at It
Growth Zone – Like It and Not Good at It
Failure Zone – Don’t Like It and Not Good at It
It’s a simple framework but can lead to powerful action when done right. Each zone has unique properties that drive different actions.
Let’s get to work.
Get out a piece of paper and draw a four-quadrant matrix like below. (or get a digital version with coaching tips here)
I ask clients to capture the time-sucking activities making up 80% of their workday. There’s no reason to have a complete list, occasional annoyances will always be a part of life. We want the activities that will make or break your workday. Plot each of these activities in the appropriate quadrant from above.
Let’s look at each quadrant and what it means.
Sweet Spot: Like It and Good at It
My guess is that reviewing the activities in this quadrant brings a smile to your face. Working on them fills you with energy and confidence. You can identify these tasks as large contributors to past raises and promotions. Review everything in this quadrant to see how you can maintain or expand the amount of time devoted to them. The other quadrants will try and get in the way, so awareness is key. You get paid for what you’re good at, so spend time on work that fills you up.
Default Zone: Don’t Like It and Good at It
This is the most dangerous zone. For someone experiencing job burnout, I immediately expect their time to be here. Why? Your organization wants to use your skills to their fullest. They are often good at identifying what makes you unique but less aware about what gives you energy. It’s up to you to communicate this to your organization.
Be transparent about which projects resonate. Those that don't, explore opportunities to coach others to take over the tasks. Someone will enjoy this task. They simply need your guidance to build the appropriate skills. This is a great way to add extra value to the organization and stand out.
Growth Zone: Like It and Not Good at It
Activities in this zone are full of potential. They may even provide more energy than your Sweet Spot. Why? Shiny new object syndrome. Since you haven’t spent much time with this task, it feels new and fresh. You're also not good at it yet. It’s a good thing to incorporate a few Growth Zone activities into your workday. It’s also important that you don’t take it too far. Your employer pays you to execute at a high-level. Steering your time to the Growth Zone limits short-term output. Your organization will frown on it unless they see the long-term potential. So convince them it's worth it! This is a perfect way to develop a powerful niche within the organization.
If you constantly pursue the Growth Zone, the best buffer is a strong financial position. Potential is a wonderful thing and can lead to large profits. But you’ve got to survive the lean times while you build the skills and reputation first.
Failure Zone: Don’t Like It and Not Good at It
If you devote significant time to the Failure Zone, it’s time to assess your situation. You don’t enjoy the work and you’re not good at it. Everyone will have certain tasks that fall into this zone, we can’t be good at everything. The more time spent here, the riskier your job situation becomes.
There is one exception. Sometimes a task ends up in the Failure Zone by mistake. How? No one likes to be bad at something. It's possible that you'd enjoy a task if you were actually good at it. It’s not uncommon for someone to gain new skills and immediately flip a task from Failure to Sweet Spot.
Use the Matrix to Improve Your Current Job
Now that you’ve loaded the matrix, it’s time to review the big picture.
Tasks in the Failure Zone need addressed immediately. Do any have the potential to enter your Sweet Spot if you devoted time to build the skill? These are Growth activities in disguise. For those that don’t, look for ways to delete or delegate the task. If it’s not adding value to the company don’t do it.
Default Zone likely won't move, since you’ve been doing it long enough to know you don’t like it. Does the task add significant value to the company? If not, consider deleting it to make room for Growth or Sweet Spot tasks. If it does, look for openings to develop someone else to take over the task. You’ll gain the reputation of a mentor. Not a bad moniker to have.
If you have a bunch of activities in the Growth Zone, you need to perform self-reflection. You have no problem finding work you're passionate about, but why aren’t any of these moving into your Sweet Spot? Which items will add the most value to the company (and your career)? Focus on getting better at these. Jot down the remaining items on a list, so you can keep tabs on them. Once you’ve removed Failure and Default tasks, reevaluate the list.
Finally, the Sweet Spot is easy to check. Any time saved in the other zones, use to bolster your Sweet Spot. These are the things that make you stand out and give you energy. This is the path to personal and organizational reward.
Use the Matrix to Carve New Pathways
If your matrix is filled with Failure and Default Zone tasks, it's time to find a new job. You can use this same process to test potential career changes. Wipe the matrix clean and start over.
Brainstorm as many ideas as you can. It's not about nailing it on the first try. It's about getting every idea on paper to see what other ideas develop. Once you're done brainstorming throw out any idea that doesn't fall in the Growth/Sweet Spot Zones. Don't waste your time.
Focus on what you do know about each potential pathway. You won’t have the full picture, but you can use the following:
Existing knowledge
Leveraging your network for information
Online research and communities.
Throw out any opportunity not leaning towards Growth or the Sweet Spot.
The result of this process is a much greater understanding of what is working and what isn’t in your current role. You are much more likely to be working within your Sweet Spot if you are intentional about what that looks like.
I’ve developed a digital coaching tool for this framework. Download it here.