Let's face it: it's HARD to always be "on" when you're at work. No matter
how much you try, even the best-laid plans and schedules break down;
sometimes it seems like all the forces are against you. You can get
discouraged, weary, frustrated and unfocused. You can blame your boss, your
spouse, interruptions, computer crashes, too much work, too little
time...the list goes on and on.
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When it comes right down to it, though, we each have to take
responsibility for our work environments. It's up to us to create pride and
excellence in our workplaces. We need to take responsibility for our own
productivity, morale, creativity, motivation and sense of humor that we
bring to our work.
You say "but stuff just happens that I have no control over." That's
true. "Stuff" will happen, so it's your job to come up with disaster
prevention and back-up plans. Interruptions and snafus don't need to become
setbacks. Lists and schedules make the world go round. Be sure to
prioritize, and take note of a few things that could be realistically
postponed, if need be. Speaking of realism...be realistic in estimating how
long it will take you to do the tasks at hand.
Computer maintenance can make a big difference in minimizing downtime.
Regular virus scans, firewalls, defragmentation, and file back-ups are
crucial to maintaining computer health and well-being.
There are a few well-known organizational tips worth repeating. My
personal favorite is not touching mail more than once. I sit down with the
mail at my desk, waste basket on one side, file cabinet at the other, and
sticky notes in front of me. If it's junk, toss. If you can deal with it
right now, do it, then toss it or add a sticky note with the details and
file it. You aren't going to deal with it right away? Then sticky note and
file it. Do NOT just add it to a pile on your desk. Can you tell piles of
papers are my personal Waterloo?
My other favorite is standing up when someone comes into my workplace. It
doesn't matter who it is or what's the reason. The message to myself is:
this is my workplace and I am here to work. If I'm not seated, chances are
my guest won't sit down either. It's a bit more polite than just continuing
to work without looking up...and if you do that, chances are the guest will
still sit down.
Here is where a back-up plan is important. Have it already in your head
what you will say if you are interrupted. "I'm busy at the moment, can you
come back in____ minutes...hours"...whatever works. "Would you like to make
an appointment?" "I'm taking a break at_____, would you like to join me?"
And so on.
This even works when I'm working at my computer at home and the cat comes
in. She loves to sit on my hands on the keyboard! or my lap, or right in
front of the monitor. I stand up (no lap) and I even make an appointment
with her (in my own mind of course!)...to play, feed her, watch tv for a few
minutes so she can sit on my lap; sometimes we play Catch the Cursor for a
couple minutes...something. She quickly leaves or curls up somewhere else if
I'm not sitting down.
You may be thinking that productivity and organization are a lot easier
to take responsibility for than motivation, morale, creativity and humor.
Maybe your boss is stubbornly refusing to give you a raise, no matter how
well you do your work. Maybe the job is "straight and narrow" with no room
for creativity, and humor is ok in small doses, but not really appreciated.
Maybe its your own work ethic nagging at you to work, work, work, no time
for play. Maybe its your spouse nagging you with money worries, or feeling
neglected.
You need to realize that in order for you to be a healthy, balanced,
satisfied, and fulfilled human being, you need these things in your life.
Rather than just going to your boss and complaining, you need to creatively
bring your own suggestions and solutions to the table. You need your sense
of humor to maintain a healthy perspective. The ability to express yourself
creatively is as important as the ability to support yourself; so brainstorm
with others, research, its up to you to find the innovative solutions. You
need the breaks: 5 minutes; 15 minutes every hour or two; weekends; or a
REAL vacation, so take them. And if your spouse misses you, take the
vacation together.
If no matter how hard you try, you can't get a grip on your lifestyle,
then its time for YOU to change it. Consider a new workplace, or possibly
being your own boss. Pride and excellence are up to YOU. It's YOUR life.
