Growing up back east, we would often drive through the Appalacian Mountains. On these roads, there were long tunnels through the mountains. You’d see the tunnel coming up, and then in most of the tunnels you could see the other end. I always wished we could go faster as soon as I saw the end of the tunnel because I loved the rush of light when you exited the tunnel. It was almost like holding my breath during the tunnel, just waiting to get out.
Most of the tunnels were fairly short, you could see the light as soon as you entered. Some of the tunnels, though, were much longer. When you first entered the tunnel, it felt like you would never get out of the tunnel. Even though they may have not been much longer than the ones where you could see the light, they sure felt long. One of the most important things about entering a tunnel is knowing that you will exit the tunnel on the other side. If you entered the tunnel without knowing that you were expecting light at the other end, would you enter it?
Work is often like a tunnel. When you start a task, it’s similar to entering a tunnel. You get buried in the task, and when you are finished it’s a relief and you can come back up for air. When you have a clear goal set, such as the light at the end of the tunnel, it is much easier to finish your work. When the task you are working on has a clear goal that you can see from the start, it makes it easier to keep on going. All you have to do is look ahead, and you feel like you’re almost there. It gets closer and closer.
On the flip side, one of the most demoralizing things at work is when you are performing a task that has no clear goal. As you are working on the task, you wonder if you will ever finish. You wonder what the end will really look like. Having a clear goal at the beginning of a task can provide motivation. You know where you’re going!
How does this help you? I know I need a goal, but I don’t have a goal. My boss didn’t give me one, and I feel lost in work. If you don’t have a goal, then you need to find out what the goal is. When tasks are delegated to you, knowing what “done” looks like gives you the ability to set a clear goal. It’s so easy to ask someone to complete a task without relaying clearly what the goal of the task is. If you are receiving a task, ask what the goal is, so you know when you reach it. If you are the one delegating, clearly communicate the goal and ask for confirmation that the goal is understood.
Identify the light at the end of the tunnel, and work toward it. And, if you find yourself floundering, there’s a good chance you don’t have your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel.
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