I’m Fired!

Fire yourself. Then rehire yourself on the same day. Approach your job as if it were your first day, and ask a lot of questions.

What would you do differently? Are there processes that could be improved? How could you make your job more enjoyable? Are there hurdles that
are keeping you from being productive or efficient?

Whether you’ve been in a position for 20 years or two, it’s easy to become comfortable in your role. But with that comfort comes blinders that
keep you looking only in one direction. Stepping outside of your comfort zone allows you to see your job from all sides.

You’ll also get a fresh view of those around you. Would you keep the same employees? Is there someone you haven’t noticed who is quietly and
diligently doing her job well? Is there another person who’s really vocal, but not producing as well as you thought?

You may be surprised at what you’ve been missing and how easy it could be to make a change—or changes—that will have a major impact for you and your employer.

The “fire yourself” technique also can work for your personal life. Are there things you can change to be a better parent or friend? Are you a clear communicator? How can you make life more enjoyable for yourself and others?

But don’t just be a casual observer. Take what you’ve learned and act on it. Whether it’s in your career or your personal life, you’ll be amazed at how even the smallest change can make a big difference.