Today's newsletter is not specific to project management, though I thought I would share a few ideas about the dilemma most professionals go through during their careers.

Simple question - "What happens when you take more on your plate which is not part of your job description?"

The "Pro" Managers (Old mindset) would say:

"If you want to grow in your career, you would have to go the extra mile. You have to do more than what is required and asked for. That is how you will get noticed - get more work, get promoted and maybe will get a salary hike too. (It's always maybe, isn't it? :)

The Gen Z Managers (New mindset) would say:

"Always be mindful about what you are doing in your career, do what you are getting paid for. Only shine your skills if you are getting something in back - whether it's value in terms of prestige, networking or money. The transaction mindset always should be there."

What will you say? What have you done so far in your career?

Let's find out - what happens when you go above and beyond your job description - What are the pros and cons - in ChatGPT language if I must write 😅:

The Upsides of Taking on More Responsibilities:

1. You are seen!

When you take on extra tasks, you’re putting yourself in the spotlight. It’s a fantastic way to get noticed by higher-ups and showcase your skills and dedication. It also creates credibility on social platforms such as LinkedIn too if you are highlighting your work.

2. You become expert!

More responsibilities mean more opportunities to learn new skills. Whether it's project management, team coordination, or advanced problem-solving, these experiences can enrich your professional toolkit. Who does not want to keep adding skills in the portfolio and LinkedIn right? 😎

3. You get one step ahead in your corporate ladder! (There is always Maybe hanging in this strategy)

Going beyond your usual duties can position you for promotions and raises. It shows you're ready for more significant roles and responsibilities within the company. Make sure you are showing your work, results and stats - if your work is not seen, it won't make any difference.

4. Dopamine hit continues !

Taking on new challenges can break the monotony of your daily tasks and make your job more engaging and rewarding. We often get bored by same 9 to 5 routine, same standups, same client escalations and what not. Taking on new tasks definitely gives you that dopamine hit of you are doing something in your life.

5. People People People!

By working on diverse projects, you’ll meet and collaborate with different colleagues, which can expand your professional network and open doors to new opportunities. People help people. This Mantra always works.

Now let's talk about what kind of heat you will be taking if you don't do this by being mindful.

The Downsides of Taking on More Responsibilities:

1. Get ready for Burnout!

Juggling multiple responsibilities can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to manage your workload to avoid stress and burnout. The key here is acknowledgement of burnout. So you can take a pause.

2. Managing time becomes difficult!

I would not use work-life balance word here - as even if you are doing your regular day job - you still might be ending up giving more of your time than required to work and less time to life. On top of that, extra duties might encroach on your time. Be mindful is the only advise I would give.

3. Expectations and priorities take a hit!

With increased responsibilities come higher expectations. It’s essential to communicate clearly and set realistic goals to manage pressure effectively.

4. Which hat are you wearing?

Sometimes, taking on too much can blur the lines of your actual role, which might lead to confusion about your job description and responsibilities. Trust me, you don't want to be in that pickle. The key here is to draw a clean line between your job description and how far you are willing to go in other skills.

Few Practical Tips:

1. If you are not seen, it's not worth it. Try a pilot run. Do something which is not part of your Job Description and see the results - Make decisions accordingly.
2. Always be grateful for the skills you are learning along the way in your career journey. You will never know which skill will come handy when in your career path.
3. Communicate expectations clearly. You don't want to be in a place where doing extra becomes burden on you.

At last, never stop learning. At the end of the day we are not only defined by our given career roles - we are defined by who we are and what difference we make in our own life and sometimes in others too :)