People curious about job crafting often ask for examples of how others have crafted their jobs. Job crafting, for anyone that doesn’t know is making small tweaks and changes to a job to make it a better fit for the individual.
Part of the work and research we do in job crafting is to uncover and share job crafting examples from ‘in the wild.’
Here are 101 examples of some of the weird and wonderful ways people have personalised, shaped and crafted their jobs.
All of these examples are based on a person’s own context so some of this may not apply or be relevant to your personal and professional circumstances. See this list as a source of inspiration rather than a source of ideas to copy…
Task Crafting
Task crafting is tangibly changing aspects of how we undertake our work including designing, adding or removing tasks.
Examples:
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Protect the first 30 minutes of the day to focus on specific tasks
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Only respond to emails between 9am-11am or 4pm-5pm
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Do the hardest task first thing when energy is at its highest
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Experiment with voice-to-text software for faster email, report and content writing
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Do admin on a Friday when the mood is more positive
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Limit non-essential meetings
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Use the pomodoro method for time management [look it up!]
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Record voice notes for colleagues
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Delegate or swap tasks that aren’t enjoyable or don’t play to strengths
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Say no to requests that don’t align with the purpose of the role
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Find ways to channel a strength e.g. creativity into everyday work
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Strategically structure the work day
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Experiment with tools like Slack or Teams for effective comms
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Ask to start a workplace Team group for those who enjoy more social time
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Call a colleague rather than email
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Work collaboratively using Google Docs instead of Microsoft Word
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Hire someone to do specific and expert tasks e.g. finances
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Get involved in more client facing meetings
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Schedule all meetings for the afternoons to keep morning free
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Shorten all meetings by 10 minutes
Skill Crafting
Skill crafting is developing, refining and focusing on new skills.
Examples:
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Shadow a colleague doing a specific task
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Say yes to a scary project
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Learn a new skill or piece of knowledge
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Take a course or programme on an area you want to improve
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Attend a lunchtime webinar
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Ask for help on a difficult subject
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Watch YouTube videos to improve a skill
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Ask for constructive feedback
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Find an opportunity to speak to a group (e.g. to enhance public speaking skills)
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Organise team social events (e.g. to utilise planning skills)
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Experiment with different meeting styles
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Set a goal of writing 5 blogs each quarter
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Listen to a podcast related to work on the commute
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Delegate 15 minutes before work to focus on a new/current skill
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Each team member shares something new they’ve read / learned each week
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Ask to gain experience one day a week in a different team
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Experiment with a new digital tool (e.g. to get better at presentation design)
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Follow a top tips page on a specific topic on social media
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Enquire about arranging a lunch and learn for colleagues
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Set a goal to learn 5 new things about a topic
Purpose Crafting
Purpose crafting is reframing how we think about our work. in general including the value and significance it brings to us personally and others.
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Re-frame the importance and value of tasks you enjoy less (e.g. doing finances shows your care for the business)
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Make a daily list of the best interactions with customers / clients
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Volunteer for projects that you find meaningful
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Write a blog post about what you love about your work
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Share your passions at work (e.g. start a running club)
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Attend a conference on a subject you are passionate about
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Become an advocate or champion for something you care about (e.g. inclusion, sustainability)
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Survey service users to better understand their needs and how your work can add value
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Volunteer to support new starter induction events
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Get involved in client facing calls to understand the impact of your work
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Learn more about the people your role is helping
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Explore the impact of your role on the wider organisation
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Reflect each day on the person that you have helped the most
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Write down the purpose of your role before every work shift
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Say no to tasks that don’t align with your role purpose
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Ask for feedback on projects (to see how you have made an impact)
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Create a petition for a recycling bin at work
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Reframe work travel as an opportunity to explore new places
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Meet with customers of projects you have delivered in the past
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Create a case study for every new piece of work and share this externally
Relationship crafting
Relationship crafting is shaping how we relate and engage with others, including building and adapting our relationship with co-workers.
Examples:
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Write thank you notes to colleagues at the end of each week to express gratitude
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Pop into someone else’s office to see how they’re doing
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Start a breakfast club
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Organise a team away day
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Schedule informal 1:1 check-ins to compliment more formal 1:1s
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Set up a random coffee scheme that pairs colleagues from across the organisation to meet for coffee
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Allow time for informal “chit chat” before meetings
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Spend less time with people that can drain your energy levels
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Grab lunch with a colleague from a different team once a month
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Start a book club
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Offer to mentor a new colleague
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Ask someone about their passions outside of work
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Chat to someone about something non-work related
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Seek support to address a negative relationship
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Recognise and praise a colleague when you see it
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Walk to the coffee shop together as a team
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Make connections with clients to foster a relationship
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Set a goal to learn something new about each team member
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Arrange to catch up with a new starter
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Connect with someone from a different team
Wellbeing crafting
Wellbeing crafting is boosting our physical and mental health through the work we do.
Example:
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Go for a 15 minute walk at lunchtime
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Mindful walking up and down the corridors to collect patients
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Switch your phone and email notifications off in the evenings
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Arrange walking meetings
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Watch 10 minutes of Netflix at lunch time to switch off
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Have a coffee break in the garden
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Yoga before work
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Introduce a ‘fake’ commute to help start and end the day
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Use a standing desk
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Say no to non-critical work requests
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Get into a routine of leaving work on time (e.g. leave the office with a buddy)
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Take a tactical nap
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Bring nutritious snacks to work
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Ensure you take regular breaks
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Cycle/run to work
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Try having one day a week that is meeting free
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Treat yourself to a lie in once a week – start and finish later that day
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Take the stairs instead of the lift
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Listen to music whilst working on a project
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Get away from the desk at lunch time
Job crafting example number 101:
Write down 3 good things at the end of the work day.
Can you guess which type of job crafting this is? 5 gold stars if you can!
We hope that you found these examples inspiring and that you can try out job crafting for yourself. Happy crafting!
About the authors: Team Tailored Thinking – Rob Baker, Charlotte Axon & Carly Richards. Tailored Thinking are a pioneering, evidence-based positive psychology, wellbeing and HR consultancy based in Durham.
This article has been kindly re-purposed from Tailored Thinking and you can read the original here.