|
Get a Life Why Dont Ya?!
It's okay to take your job seriously, to be a stickler for professionalism, and sure it's wonderful to take your responsibilities seriously. However, you have to be a bit careful when you allow your job to become your LIFE. Give your work your best effort, stand up for your beliefs, but be careful that you don't become a one-dimensional robot that just has his or her tape programmed to talk about how much work he has to do. If you notice people by the water cooler scatter when you come by, I'm afraid to break the news to you. They know it? they don't want you to pass that energy on to them?they see that you have no life. Yikes...maybe I'm being a little harsh, but I've been there, so I know. While working at HBO as a Director, I worked long hours. My office became my second home. There was a leopard rug (don't laugh), candles, incense, soft jazz, and dim lights. My co-workers would always joke around about it being like a lounge and that I should serve martinis during meetings. LOL But I realized I made it so comfortable, because that's where I spent most of my waking moments. It's pathetic when I think about it now. Sure, I was getting a great salary and yeah?I loved what I did, however what was seriously lacking was some 'me time'. Other parts in my life weren't fulfilled, because of this 'love' for my job. Now?being a 'self-bosser' for two years, I cringe when I see others with this obsession. Especially, if it's not their own company. I see it sucking the spirit right out of them. I was inspired to write about this topic this month by a long time friend of mine, because he's going through a rough period in his career where work is all he knows. Although, he's extremely successful..he's not the same person because work is all he talks about and being at the top is all he lives for. The end result is that he barely has enough time for hobbies, family, or friends. He's only 28 and stressed out beyond belief. You can look at him and tell he has tightness in the back of his neck as his brain tinkers away thinking about, "work, work, work."That tightness in the back of my neck is a feeling that I don't miss. But even though I do get stressed out sometimes?knowing how to strive for balance and a healthy life has prevented it from occurring much less. Now the question for you is?Has your JOB become your LIFE? Have you changed as a person and let your spirit fade? Take this simple quiz and see if you are showing symptoms of a workaholic. Answer yes or no to each question. 1. Do I have a 'me day'? One day out of the week that I use to focus on me and me alone? (This means no business calls, meetings, or business reading.) 2. Can I spend time away from work and not think about business issues? 3. Do I talk to my spouse, friends, and family about topics OTHER than business or my day at work? 4. Am I spending quality time with my family? 5. Do I have a hobby? 6. Do I still have friends? (outside of the office) 7. Do I laugh and smile as much as I used to? If you answered NO to three or more of these questions. I'd like you to take a seat, light a candle, close your eyes, and repeat this chant. "I must get a life." "I must get a life." "I must get a life." I'm just teasing ya?But seriously folks, here are some real pointers to help you recapture your true self and not get lost in WORK. Find Balance and Reduce Stress: 1. Get a physical: Get an accurate assessment of your health. What's your cholesterol count? Your blood pressure? How much do you weigh (and should you lose any to better your health)? If you are currently experiencing symptoms of stress, your physician will assess their significance and prescribe a treatment. 2. Tap into yourself EVERY DAY: Meditate, pay, chant, or say an affirmation...whatever works for you spiritually can serve as a great relaxation technique. 3. Eat healthy and begin a journey towards a healthier lifestyle: Health is a buffer against stress. Increasing your physical stamina through diet, exercise, and rest will help you combat the stressors in your life. 4. Improve your time management: Take a course or purchase a book to learn the best ways to manage your time AND your energy. 5. Take Energizing Breaks: - If time or money doesn't permit you to take a full-fledged vacation, then escape to a location close to home for a weekend retreat. Make sure people call you only for an emergency! - Treat yourself to a day-spa for some pampering. A massage or facial will always do the trick! - You can also do something as simple as going to your public library or book store. Browse the travel section, photography books, or fiction. Peruse anything that lets your mind go on a mini-vacation. - Take a walk in the park and bring a book and just relax. (Non-work related reading only guys!) 6. Day Dream!: "When you think about pleasurable things like sex or food, PET scans show different patterns lighting up in your brain than when you think about work or something unpleasant," says Mehmet Oz, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, in O Magazine. Realize you aren't perfect, you aren't a machine. Humans are incapable of perfection, so stop beating yourself. Free yourself to ignore some of the social pressures that have been holding you back from your hopes and dreams. Your ambitious nature may get you to the top, but you might just be waving down at everyone you let fade out of your life. You'll have no one to share your successes with. Remember that friends and loved ones suffer those weekends and late nights you are home answering email or constantly checking your office voicemail. Don't turn your focus away from what is truly important. Instead, learn to measure your success by the balance and happiness you achieve in your life on a whole?I wish you luck in achieving that life that you want and need! Simone Kelly is author and founder of Gots To Have It, Marketing, a firm that specializes in marketing and empowering entrepreneurs with a series of workshops and networking events. Please view her company web sites here: http://www.gotstohaveit.com and http://www.giventakenetwork.org
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Careers Gwinnett County Public Schools
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Resume Formats ... The Hidden Pitfalls
Deciding on a resume format is the first major decision to be made when creating your resume. The overall look of your resume depends on the resume format, font and outline you choose.
Speak Up: Your Job Is At Stake!
How good are you at standing up for yourself?Do you run the other way when done an injustice or when someone steps on your proverbial toes?How do you react?Now's the time to speak up and stand your ground! If you've never done this, you need to master this skill.How many of you watched the "The Apprentice?" While the show is not the ultimate mirror of corporate life or a guide on how to be promoted, my clients have cited specific show episodes to highlight weaknesses they'd like to improve.
Driver Team Solo Positions: The Nitty Gritty On Truck Driving Jobs
Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on US highways and interstates. A person on even the shortest drive is likely to pass by a truck or two transporting goods, and even merchandise that travels by ship, train, or airplane travels on a truck for some phase of the journey to the customer.
Giving Notice: 6 Things to Do To Prepare to Leave
After days, weeks, months or longer of interviewing, you have received a job offer that meets your needs and have decided to give notice to your employer and resign your current job.1.
Yesterdays Project Manager is Todays Project Engineer
The rapid growth of technology, greater exposure to knowledge, higher levels of awareness are making the young project engineer act more and more like a project manager.What I mean is, todays project engineers are actively supervising new graduates, setting and monitoring schedules & budgets, interacting with clients and so on.
Relocation Myths and Stereotypes
You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on race, religion or sex. But when you make a career or other life choice, do you still make decisions based on stereotypes?Relocation Myths"Big cities are unfriendly.
Does Your Resume Have What It Takes To Survive The First Cut?
Qualifications" or "Personal Profile") uses bullets and succinct wording to highlight what is likely to most intrigue the employer. Before writing this section, make a list of the 5 to 10 criteria that are most likely to guide the employer's choice - then summarize your qualifications in a way that speaks directly to the employer's interests.
Helping Mid-Life Employees Find Meaning
People work to live, but most also live to work. A study on the meaning of work conducted back in 1987 revealed a strong attachment to work as a way of life.
Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?
Making a career change is nothing new in today's job market.I've heard it said that the average American changescareers at least once in his or her life.
Personality Testing; Myth and Realities
It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can measure your personality and predict your future behaviors. The pre-employment testing mechanism has been following this creed without any solid evidence.
Job Interviews: Use the Personal Touch to Get a Job
A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in 1995 showed that sales people who used their prospects' names generated a 239% increase in sales. In today's fast-paced world, that personal touch is even more important.
Always Have a Current Resume
What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write their resumes as a chronological summary of everything they've done in their professional lives. Employers only care about one thing: what you can do for them.
Resume That Effectively Promotes You!
Imagine for a moment that you have created a wonderful product. You are excited at the possibilities of attaining name, fame and wealth marketing this product.
Air Liquide: Driving Liquid Air
Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of liquifying air was a major scientific achievement that took place over 100 years ago. Even after 100 years there are only a few companies that liquify air, which is probably why you've never heard of it before.
How to Terminate an Employee and Live to Tell the Tale
1. Employee Backdrop in AustraliaThe whole arena of Industrial Relations and the interaction between employer and employee is conducted within the complex framework of various statutes, state and federal, regulations and rulings and common law.
Four Important Questions to Ask Your Interviewer; Do You Really Want to Work for This Person?
Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are asked towards the end of an interview if they have any questions. If they feel the interviewer adequately explained the position, they make the mistake of answering "No" to this question.
How Important Is It To Stand Apart From Others In An Interview And How Difficult Is It?
Any professionally trained interviewer can attest these questions are the most asked by people involved with job-hunting. How important is it? Absolutely vital! ? How difficult is it? Not hard at all.
Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)
Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds.
How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.
Can You Compete?
Are you looking to hire the best talent? Are you thinking about adding a new employee who will significantly impact millions of dollars in YOUR business? Do you want to hire the best? Then you need to show and convince your next hire that you are serious about him joining your team.In March, we received the following candidate's response to two high level interviews.
|