What do you do when you're bored at work or when work is dull?

There are people who love their work so much that 365 days a year they can't wait for tomorrow's work and can't sleep, or who get a rush of adrenaline while working... but that's not the case for everyone, is it?

This time, I will discuss what to do when you have free time or when you are only doing dull work. From there, I will touch upon the Growth Mindset and the pros and cons of changing your environment.

Too many people turn to 'self-study'

Input is a drug

Many people around me who felt that their work was dull turned to 'self-study.' In other words, to get certifications like TOEIC, bookkeeping, or USCPA, they try to finish their 'dull work' as quickly as possible to secure study time. Behind this, there is

I think this kind of thinking is likely present.

I don't deny self-study at all. Knowledge and certifications are weapons, and it is definitely better to do them than not to.

I myself had very large waves of busyness in my initial department, so I used my free time to obtain a securities analyst qualification. Thanks to the knowledge I gained at this time, I think I was able to clear many subsequent assignments.

However, if I may say so without fear of being misunderstood, “Input is easy.” Especially for those who have overcome university entrance exams and multiple other exams, studying is a forte. The goals are clear, and you can grasp your own progress to some extent. It is also easy to get a sense of fulfillment.

Therefore, “when you start inputting, you can get drunk on that sense of fulfillment and neglect output” is a phenomenon that can easily occur.

Input is a commodity

Information obtained through input is 'information that anyone can obtain.' Only the difficulty of acquiring it differs.

In the past, it was “the difficulty of reaching that information” x “the difficulty of absorbing the information”, but the former has dropped significantly thanks to Google. When that happens, if you have perseverance or intelligence, everyone can make it their own. Differentiating yourself there is extremely difficult.

What determines the outcome? From now on, it can only be 'how you use that information.' How do you chew and absorb information in your own way, and then combine it with other things? For that purpose, the only thing ordinary people like us can do is repeat output. There is nothing else.

Put what you have thought about out into the world, see the reaction to it, get feedback, and use it for the next step. Only those who repeat this cycle will be 'people for whom input had meaning.'

What kind of organization can encourage output (looking back at my initial assignment)

That said, outputting is scary. Because you are visualizing your own results and value. However, in my initial department, I analyzed things on my own, made materials on my own, and submitted them.

Of course, it was rare for them to be used, but I believe that this repetition of output turned the knowledge I gained through the bookkeeping level 1 and securities analyst qualifications I studied for on my own into flesh and blood.

So, why was I able to do that? While it is true that I have a personality that is not easily intimidated, the biggest factor was that “the quality of the output was strictly evaluated, but the attempt itself was never denied.”

In short, psychological safety was guaranteed. I introduced psychological safety in my note from two posts ago (link embedded), but it is

It refers to this. I was never treated with an attitude of “what could a first or second-year rookie possibly analyze,” and they took me seriously. I believe that encountering such a boss, multiplied by my own personality, allowed me to continue producing output.

If there are any readers who are organizational leaders or bosses, please try to engage with your team with that kind of attitude. You might be surprised by the transformation.

The concept of Growth Mindset

In recent years, the concept of Growth Mindset has been attracting attention. In a word, this is

which seems like a very obvious thing.

However, Satya Nadella, who became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, saw this Growth Mindset as a necessary concept for corporate growth, implemented large-scale initiatives to instill it, and turned around the company's declining performance. (From his book “Hit Refresh.” Link at the bottom)

By having a mindset that sincerely believes “my abilities can be developed through effort,” one can become positive toward challenges, and failures can be viewed not as “fails” but as “opportunities.”

I believe that whether or not you can encounter a boss who holds this mindset is a huge watershed moment in each person's career for your subordinates or juniors, if you have a boss or leader who can adopt the attitude of “You can definitely grow. I will support you with all my might,” I think psychological safety will naturally follow.

I want to continue being that kind of person, and I really hope that such people will continue to increase. I am posting the TED talk by Carol Dweck of Stanford University, who advocated for the Growth Mindset. It is a video of about 10 minutes, so please take a look.
(I also think it is excellent as English learning material.)

So, what should you do if you are unlucky enough not to encounter an “organization with psychological safety” or a “boss with a Growth Mindset”?

Let's erase “three years on a stone” from the dictionary

There are many proverbs in Japan, but I think there are some that should no longer be passed down. One of them is “three years on a stone” (meaning perseverance pays off).

It is a proverb that embodies Japanese “virtue,” but nothing happens even if you stay on a stone for three years. You will only hurt your lower back and legs.

Because of this proverb, if you try to change places frequently, people say you “lack patience,” “lack endurance,” or “you are no good if you blame the environment.” However, “patience” is something you exercise precisely because you expect results.

Without any reward, is there anyone who wants to be grilled on an iron plate that burns flesh and scorches bone?

If you really cannot grow in that organization, first change your environment. Let's move from the stone to a trampoline. Then your motor nerves might improve, and you might even be able to go to the Olympics. As for the stone... there is no point in being there.

What I mean to say is,

If that state continues, you will end up with an excess of input and a lack of output, and as a result, you will end up with a pile of tools at your feet that you cannot use.

There are many workplaces with psychological safety and people with a growth mindset. Think, 'Ah, I was just unlucky,' and confidently change your workplace.

Even if people around you say something, it is your life. Ignore them and pursue a wonderful work environment. I will do the same.

Conclusion

If I divide my 12-year professional career into three parts, it looks like this.

The first time I felt 'growth' was at my second job, but by writing it down like this, I was able to understand that the environment of my initial assignment was very significant.

As I will likely be leading people more often in the future, I want to live my life by once again valuing 'love' and a 'growth mindset'.

I hope this note serves as some kind of hint for your life. See you next time.

Kaoru Hosoda