EPISODE 33 (50) TACKLE TRIVIA - just because you’re smart, you can’t avoid your fair share of trivia

Many jobs require attention to detail, says Andrew and you may need some practice to develop rigorous attention to what is trivia and what is not.

He lists at least five ways to do that with 

• Organizational skills
• Time management skills
•  Analytical skills
• Observational skills
• Active listening skills

If you're good with detail employers will come to regard you as precise, careful and conscientious. 

Protesting "I'm really bad at detail" is not an excuse it's a copout.  It just reveals you can't be bothered.

Consequently, your supervisor, teammates and those around you soon stop relying on you for accuracy or trusting you to do a thorough job.

Andrew says that the brighter you are the more you may resent dealing with what to you seems trivia.

But one person's trivia may turn out to be another's mission-critical decision. There's a good story in the Podcast about what that meant for a NASA space probe costing billions.

At your level, you will probably need to accept that you'll need to deal with some trivia.  Moaning about it risks you being labelled as unwilling to do your share of the boring bits of work.

Most organizations though spend far too much time and effort on trivia. As part of using your analytical skills, you can choose your moment to politely suggest "perhaps we're missing the bigger picture here"

Tackling trivia can fill your day and prove to be soul-destroying. It can also be a great way to waste time and procrastinate. Learning to deal with it can enhance your search for success at work.

There's a lot to take in from this Podcast. . Consider a second or third hearing at the Podcast site  https://www.50Ways.site.

You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.

All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.

COMING SOON!

• Tackle Trivia: Just because you’re smart you can’t avoid the trivial.
• List Lover: You’ll never remember everything; learn to love your to-do list.
• No Doormat: Why “no” can be as important as saying “yes

Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.

Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at

www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading

and

www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.

BOOK:
The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts.
It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years.
Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.

www.myhappinessatwork.com/book