With a new study showing that thrill seekers are one of the five new types of worker, we look at how you can get your kicks in the office
Thrill seekers are described in a report by payroll firm Sage as “easily bored and always on the lookout for the next challenge.
“They couldn’t care less about appearances, work best around others and believe that making a social impact is overrated. They choose highly social ways of working and enjoy bouncing around with people. They are not concerned about the evolution of technology.”
Sound like you? Here’s how you can keep the thrill alive in the office…
1) Chase new projects
Push yourself further by jumping into a new project or leading a brainstorming session.
Seeing a job through to the end gives you the chance to demonstrate a myriad of skills – planning, co-ordination, communication and resilience if things go wrong.
Taking a leap into the unknown is daunting but exciting, and doing something outside your comfort zone is a way to keep the spark alive in the office. If it goes well, you’ll be ready for an even bigger project next time.
2) Don’t be afraid to voice your ideas
It’s tempting to keep your ideas and opinions to yourself for fear of rocking the boat. Thrill seekers don’t let that stop them.
Speak your mind if you’re not happy or think something should be done a different way, making sure you’re tactful and respectful of course.
There’s a good chance that others in the office are thinking the same thing as you, but haven’t plucked up the courage to say so. You never know, your boss might be grateful for a fresh perspective.
3) Find the right group to work with
Thrill seekers are social butterflies who need people to bounce their ideas off.
But it’s not always a good idea to have a lot of similar personalities working together. You’ll get on much better in a team if your skills complement each other and your egos don’t clash.
Work takes up a big chunk of your life, so the last thing you want is a feeling of dread every morning when you go into the office. It’s important to work with people you respect but can have a laugh with and don’t hold you back. Striking the right balance between fun and productivity is key to staying motivated.
4) Ask for feedback
Thrill seekers are fearless creatures, and aren’t afraid of criticism. In fact, it spurs them on even more.
Regular feedback can help you hone your skills and see what areas you need to improve in. If the comments are positive, it can boost your morale and help you see the difference that your work is making.
Be bold – ask your line manager for honest feedback every month or so. If you don’t know how you’re performing, it’s easy to lose heart.
5) Train in new skills
Take up opportunities to increase your knowledge, skills and abilities so you don’t get stuck in a rut.
If you think you’re a natural leader, ask to go on the next managerial training course. If you enjoy social interaction, take an active role in organising team-building exercises.
Some companies allow their staff to take NVQs in a range of subjects as part of their development.
Posted by Julie Tucker