When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes
I love the following quote by Judith Campbell, “When your heart speaks, take good notes” because it’s true in every aspect of life, including work.
Before I knew how to make well-informed decisions, I made them with my heart.
I imagine that’s what most of us do before we learn to ponder decisions using more sophisticated tools. I’m all for thoughtful decision-making, but that doesn’t mean that one’s heart isn’t an important barometer which should be trusted.
After working for over four decades, I know that my heart steered me right far more often than it steered me wrong. In fact, I can’t think of a single time when it led me astray. I’ll share some examples below that I hope will help clarify what I mean.
Early in my career, I worked with an amazing group of people. Over time, my heart told me that I should move on to something else; I had outgrown my current role. At the time, I didn’t want to listen to my heart because it was comfortable staying put. Eventually, I realized it was time to move on and that if they were friends, they’d always be friends. I just recently sent a thank you to one of those colleagues – he’s been a terrific friend for forty years now.
When I had an opportunity to relocate with my job and finally get the opportunity that I felt that I had earned, my heart told me that I’d inadvertently hurt my family if I accepted the job. Saying “no” defied logic at work, but I was happy with the decision. I never regretted that decision.
Nothing better than having a heartfelt conversation with someone else
Over the years, whenever I spoke with people at work, I wanted to let them see a bit of my heart. This was especially important to me as I moved up in the organization. I hoped that I would see theirs as well. Nothing better than having a heartfelt conversation with someone else. Those are the chats that you cherish, aren’t they?
When I had an interaction with someone who would later become my manager that revealed that this person was rude, unprofessional, and mean-spirited, my heart told me that it was just a matter of time before this behavior showed up again. My heart was right. When it was clear that I wouldn’t ever be happy or fulfilled working for this person, I knew I had to plan an exit. I wasn’t interested in engaging in a battle that I had zero chance of winning. As soon as a chance presented itself for me to leave, I left. My heart was absolutely right.
My friends, especially those of you who are just getting started in your careers. Pay attention to your heart; it really does know what’s best for you. Take note when it speaks to you; it has something important to reveal to you if you’ll listen. Learn how to incorporate your heart into your work because it matters – just watch someone work at something that doesn’t speak to their heart and then watch someone whose heart is evident in their work. I’ll always believe that there’s no better look than the face of someone who allows their heart to show through their work. I hope that person is you.