# The Last Hoop Jumped Through By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-03-06 A career is filled with many hoops. The hoops are larger and closer to the ground at the beginning of one's career. Hoops at this level include showing up to work on time, having a positive attitude, being a team player, and completing assigned tasks on time. While jumping through these initial hoops is easy, many don't for various reasons. For those that do, promotions with smaller hoops that are higher off the ground await. These new hoops include dealing effectively with ambiguity, directing the work of others, and participating effectively in meetings. Again, some will jump through these hoops and be promoted, whereas others will stop. At this stage, people ask if jumping through the hoop is worth it. Maybe it is, perhaps it isn't. The last set of hoops is comprised of small hoops that are far off the ground. These hoops include predicting future problems and addressing them strategically, integrating work effectively across departments, and responding seamlessly to the dynamic priorities of the chief executive. At this point, there is little chance for promotion. All one can do is either jump through the hoops or not. In fact, that isn't even the fundamental question. One can either continue to jump through the hoops while making a show of doing so, or one can jump through the hoop without making a big deal about it. At this point, people with a sufficient well of self-worth no longer need validation from their performance. They continue to do good work; in fact, they continue to do what is most likely exceptional work. They do so in a seemingly effortless way, and they aren't making a big deal about it. This brings one to the last hoop jumped through, which is the same for every worker irrespective of organizational echelon: the hoop of authentic self-actualization. Work is both a means to an end and an end itself. Jumping through hoops is necessary for promotions, pay raises, and prestige. These are desirable to a point. Beyond that point, one has simply to jump through the last hoop. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Career Advancement]] [[Self-Actualization]] [[Authenticity]] [[Progress]] [[Promotions]]