Thursday, August 18, 2011

Living Well at Work

Looking at the human physiological psychology we were fashion to co-exist in our world-meaning I live and you live. And together we make the world a beautiful place. But that was in the beginning before everything turn around. And we had to fight about everything, struggling for space, trying to fit in, striving to make it. The world became a very competitive place.
We just can’t keep up and we can’t just give up either. What in life are we not fighting for? In our work places, colleagues have issues, some just sit down expecting nothing, saying nothing but just so envious of every progress others are making. Others are strong willed, determined to get to the top no matter what it takes even if it means killing another. Some others just hate your sheer guts!
I keep wondering why? The world is big enough! The salary is shared, sometimes equally and other times not.
Aren’t there other ways than fighting, struggling, gossiping, killing, envying etc? Sure! There are more ways you can get to the top without stampeding a fellow human like you. You want your boss to like you? Work harder do that which is demanded of you and on time and you will become his/her favourite. You want promotion? Work, work, strategized, be renovative, proactive. Make yourself available and on high demand, lead others, teach them. Be patience and reliable then you are on your way to the top.
To help others around you work better and in peace. Learn to keep your issues-family, financial, emotional, spiritual issues at home or buckle up before coming to work. Excuse yourself for a few minutes from work or people and put yourself together and in order while at work. This set your mind on your work.
Learn to clear your clutters. Sort out, each day’s work and start afresh. If you can’t finish a days’ work, keep it at your desk for the next day, don’t take it home. Get done with yesterdays work before starting the day’s work. Remove waste papers from your desk and trash them. Sort papers, documents, receipts out and file them properly. This clears the air.
Learn not to skip your lunch break even if you’re not eating. Use your break time to break the ice. Listen to soft music, crack jokes with colleagues or just leave the working environment-go sightseeing, do something fun, have lunch with a loved one. Go to some place quiet and freshen up. This helps to lighten up your mood.
Learn to meditate. Have a time schedule for meditation-5 to 15 minutes of quiet time. Check your work schedules and find where to fix that time.
Learn to exercise. There are exercises you can do while at work that will help relax your nerves, like using the stairs instead of the elevators, stretching etc. It clears your head.
Learn to drink lots and lots of water. It will help dehydrate you and clean your system.
In working with individuals from all works of life, you have to be smart in analyzing human character. Try to understand the next person by studying each of them and relate with them from the information you have of them in your personal encounter with them not from others point of view.
Know your limits. If you truly understand someone you will know the limit you can drive them to. Don’t over step that boundary. You as an individual should also set up a limit to how far people can get to you.
Do not tell your colleagues everything about your life, learn to be very discreet, try not to share everything with them –your personal issues should not be subject matter in the office. But be very friendly and likeable. Make sure that at least 80% of your colleagues are at peace with you.
As a personal life style, I have friends in each phase of my life: a close friend that I can share certain things with -one close friend in the office, a closed friend in the church, a close friend from my childhood and a close friend in my neighbourhood. This way I play it safe. If I need to talk to someone about work issues- I talk with my friend in the office-she will understand work issues more than my childhood friend who doesn’t connect with me at work level. You get my drift? This works for me. Perfectly!
Ultimately, I have a best friend, who knows my history and my present, who knows me more than all these categories of friends put together. He connects with me at all levels. I can share my issues with Him for He is my Maker.
If your colleague annoys you, walk up to him/her and tell him/her up-front that you do not like what he/she did and you listen to the other party’s reason for acting that way towards you. Try to end the matter there amicably. If the other party is still upset, allow them to hurt a while but not for too long, playfully win back your friendship and move on. The truth is you do not have to be at chatting level with everyone but at least be in talking terms. They are some colleagues that you can’t be pally with but you are to be friendly with them, exchange pleasantries and be on your way and mind your business. You owe it to every man to be at peace with them.

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