Imagine Your Ideal Working Day
Ask yourself these questions:

• What time of day is it?
• Where are you?
• What are you doing?
• Who are you working with?
• What about this work feels good?
• Who are you talking to for support?
• Who is paying you?
• How much are you getting paid?
• Why are they paying you instead of somebody else?

Now imagine your worst possible working day, using these same questions. Focus on your priorities. The challenge is not avoiding bad days completely—they will always happen—but knowing what the issues are at work that you want to avoid.

Take a Relationship Inventory
Make a list of the people with whom you have regular contact in your work life. Divide that list into three categories:

Category A is energizers. They're people you trust, admire and respect; they give you good advice and help you grow.

Category B is people you like well enough. They are reasonable to work with.

Category C is battery drainers. They're users, underperformers or people you believe, for whatever reason, are your enemies.

Now think about the time and energy you spend on people in each category, including the time you spend thinking and talking (complaining!) about them. The Category A people are the ones you should be reaching out to: if you go to lunch, they are the ones you invite. Category B people may have roles that make them important to Me, Inc., so stay in contact with them. But limit the time you spend on Category C people as much as you can.

Making It Happen
Evaluate yourself by answering these questions:

• Write down your target markets—who needs to know about Me Inc., and its value?
• How often will you be in touch with them? What specific marketing materials (resumes, new ideas) will you present them with?
• What skill do you most need to improve in the next 18 months? How will you accomplish this?