The janitor framework: reframing your work mindset
A small step to break free from mediocrity and start making a difference.
🕰️ Est. reading time: 4 minutes
Have you ever felt stuck at work? You’re not struggling, but you’re not thriving either. And you find yourself wondering: How do you move beyond just being average?
One of the designers from my mentorship program asked me this exact question.
That really hit home for me.
I had felt the same way—like I was endlessly running in a hamster wheel, with no dopamine hit from my work.
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When I reflected on mediocrity, I realized it wasn’t about comparing my work to others. That path would be endless—there’s no finish line when you’re constantly measuring yourself against others. The sky’s the limit.
The competition was with myself: How do I get better every day, deliver quality work, and ultimately make an impact?
The NASA janitor story
My mentor shared a story that completely changed my perspective.
Back in 1962, when John F. Kennedy, the U.S. President, visited NASA, he met a janitor and casually asked what he did at NASA.1 The janitor didn’t just say, “I’m mopping floors.” Instead, he said, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
Whether the story is true or not, or perhaps influenced by the fact that he was talking to the President, it still inspired me.
It made me realize that we can connect with the bigger purpose behind our work, feel like we’re part of something larger than ourselves, and ultimately see our work in a broader context beyond our day-to-day responsibilities.
I know not everyone loves the notion.
Some of you might share the same values and purpose as your company, while others might see work as just work—a means to a paycheck, not caring much about the company’s mission.
You might even get tired of hearing your boss talk about the company’s mission in town halls, when day-to-day, it feels like it’s all about the money.
Even in those situations, thinking like the janitor can help us see our work from a bigger perspective. It helps us move past average performance and find ways to excel.
The fact is, the janitor didn’t go beyond his role, but he saw his tasks, like keeping the building clean, as important contributions to the larger mission. He didn’t need to be in the command center to understand that his work played a part in NASA’s success. With that mindset, he likely became more proactive, spotting opportunities to contribute toward bigger goals.
The Janitor Framework: Reframing your work mindset
For me, instead of thinking, “I’m a designer for a grief support app,”
I reframe it as, “I help people cope with loss by designing compassionate digital spaces where they can find support and healing during difficult times.”
From: “I’m a [job title] for [product/service].”
To: “I [describe the impact or purpose of your work] by [specific action related to your work] so that [benefit to others or outcome].”
Another example:
From: “I’m a designer for a telepharmacy mobile app.”
To: “I improve patient access to healthcare by designing user-friendly mobile interfaces so that they can easily receive medication and advice remotely.”
The second statement resonates more because it highlights the values behind the work: empathizing with users, focusing on their goals, and solving problems.
As designers, this connects with our goal of creating the best possible experience.
We would take the initiative to check with customer service if there's any feedback or complaints from patients.
We would proactively suggest running a survey to gather insights directly from users about how easy and friendly they find the system.
We would identify any remaining design debt that could hinder patients from seamlessly receiving medication and advice remotely.
Breaking free from mediocrity: Small steps, big impact
Breaking out of mediocrity doesn't require grand gestures or overnight transformations. It starts with reframing our mindset about what we do, then snowballing small changes that align our daily grind with a larger purpose.
Just like the NASA janitor who saw himself as part of a larger mission, we can find more meaning in our role by adjusting our perspective.
Instead of going through the motions, think about how your work contributes to something bigger.
Take a moment to reflect: In what ways can you view your job as more than just a list of tasks?
By staying inspired by the higher goal, feeling motivated, and consistently aligning your actions with that purpose, you’ll not only move beyond mediocrity but also start making an impact in your work.
For anyone feeling stuck in the average, I hope this small step helps you break free and start making a difference.
Sincerely,
Your Design Buddy,
Thomas
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