Spare a thought for the clever clogs in companies all across the globe.

You’d think that being a smart cookie would be one hell of an advantage when it comes to thriving at work.

But there’s many a trap lurking for smart but unwary professionals.

Traps like these:

*** Overriding any instinct which says “why don’t I just do this” in favour of analysis and thinking past the answer

*** Solving problems that don’t exist. That might sound helpful. But it’s not helpful if you’ve got an actual problem on your plate. Lest I get accused of stating the bleedin’ obvious, carrying ten imaginary problems round in your head does not help but a jot when it comes to solving real problem #11

*** Unless, of course, you’re also good at creating convincing arguments for why a non-problem actually IS a problem. That way you can kid yourself (and your colleagues) that your problem really is real! 

*** Another trick smart people use is creating legitimately real problems so they can solve them to keep feeling smart. Like a sort of smarty-pants hamster wheel

*** This is just another version of not wanting to look dumb. And therefore not asking the question that will help, not admitting when you don’t know the answer and not trying something that might not work. Smart people excel at these too

*** They’re also great at waiting for airtight logic or a clear path forward before acting

*** Last but not least, brainboxes also use 437 words to answer a question when 5 words will do

In case I get accused of the same thing in this email, let me finish with this:

There’s a reason smart people use their intellect a lot. It’s the same reason Picasso often reached for his paintbrush. And while few folk have ever wielded a paintbrush as brilliantly as Picasso did, if you asked Picasso to write you a novel, he ain’t going to get very far using that paintbrush.

Same thing with your intellect. 

It’s a brilliant tool. But it's not the right tool for every job.

Yet the vast majority of professionals default to their intellect for almost everything. I know that because I coach them, I work alongside them and I also happen to be one myself. And what I see over and over again is smart professionals trying to think their way through tough decisions and creative problems.

But anyone who’s ever tried to logic their way through a job offer (for instance) by weighing up the pros & cons, doing endless market comps, building a matrix of options and seeking out the opinion of their mum, dad, partner, best friend and second cousin twice removed will know what sort of mental spaghetti this leads to.

I used to agonise over decisions like these.

But I’ve realised that some things don't get clearer the more you think about them. 

In fact, they get less clear. 

So where do the answers come from? 

This is exactly what my program Trust Me, I Work Here is about.

If you’re a smart, hard-working professional who’d like to feel calmer, think more clearly and perform even better at work, you already have everything you need to do that.

So Trust Me, I Work Here isn’t about adding more skills or know how. 

It’s about removing the unnecessary interference.

When you stop using your paintbrush to write novels, not only does work become less stressful and less overwhelming, but you’ll write a better novel too.

If you’d like to explore what this looks like in practice, here’s the link:

Trust Me, I Work Here

To fulfilment,

Tom