Recognize Your Likes and Dislikes

This first exercise is very simple. Just take a blank sheet of paper and write down all of the tasks that you have to do in an average month of your job. It might take you a while to think of every single activity you do but it’s worth the effort to do it properly.

For example, a typical list could start as follows:

• Check e-mail.
• Open and read letters and deal with correspondence.
• Chair regular team meeting.
• Prepare presentation materials for meeting with customer.
• Make telephone calls to sales department.
• And so on.

Your list should be dozens and dozens of items long. Once you have your list, simply put a tick against the tasks you like doing. And (no prizes for guessing) put a cross against the tasks you don’t like so much.

Now think about the following question:

What sorts of jobs would maximise your likes and minimise your dislikes?