Doing the Best at What You Do Best

Marsha Sinetar, in her book, Find the Work You Love, and the Money Will Follow, introduces a principle called Right Livelihood, which suggests that we should concentrate on doing our best at what we do best in our work.

The concept of Right Livelihood seems a relevant point of discussion for economic developers for two important reasons: 1) every economic developer must discover what he or she truly does best and align with that strength; and 2) economic developers help give shape to local labor markets, the types of jobs available to people in places, and the rules that employers and workers follow in the workplace. Perhaps you didn't know that you had that much influence, but you do!

Finding the work that you do best isn't easy, even with the help of trained professionals, tests, and other tools. Our work interests and performance are shaped by a myriad of factors that fall under the headings of interests and abilities. There are also many factors outside us as individuals that influence our ability to discover what we do best. These include family, community, business, industry, labor market and many other external variables.

Doing our best at what we do best is complex as well. Our personal interests and skills may align within us, but no opportunity exists with our current employer or within the local labor market to satisfy our wish to do our best at what we do best.

Often, it forces a critical decision about moving yourself and your family from one part of the country to another. There is always some price to pay for any relocation.

Also, some people work for managers, executives, and boards that hold them back and block efforts by the individual to work at what they love. Obviously, if these situations cannot be resolved, it's time to move on, which again isn't easy.

Doing your best at what you do best is a worthwhile principle for economic developers to bear in mind, but it is important that anyone mounting this path be fully prepared to deal with the many obstacles that present themselves along the way. And at times, they must be willing to tackle the exceedingly difficult decisions that involve critical work-life balance issues. It's important for all of us to realize that we are more than the work we do.