There are many ways to view the upcoming workweek. They can range from joyful delight to utter dread. It is a matter of attitude. The work situation is not going to change. Only you, the person in the situation can change your thoughts and actions. It is much easier to blame people, places, and situations around you for your misery, but it’s not going to help anything.
How can we make Mondays matter? Here are a few ideas to help us take ownership over our Mondays for a better work attitude.
Dress for Success: Wear a professional outfit that feels good (and meets your office policy). If you are required to wear a uniform, wear an accessory or something underneath that is meaningful to you. Dressing with confidence helps us feel good about what we do.
Map out a plan: In the first hour of the day, take time for yourself to write down ideas of tasks you want to accomplish. Write freely, don’t edit your thoughts. Then, write down a few things that you need to do to accomplish those tasks. Be realistic with your timeline. They don’t all have to be accomplished in a few days. Try this on Monday, or mid-week refresher, or even Friday afternoon for the next week.
Set a value goal, then make a note of how it was accomplished: It is easy to create a long to-do list and feel accomplished when they are completed, or possibly discouraged when left undone. Instead of a task-to-do list, write down one value or ‘soft’ skill you want to accomplish. For example, collaboration. Let the idea of collaboration guide your day. Think about how you’d like to collaborate with others. At the end of the day write down some of the actions you took, and identify how they relate to collaboration. If you can’t think of any ways that you collaborated, write down a few ideas on how you can collaborate with others the next day. Feel free to ask a trusted co-worker or mentor ways you can collaborate with others if this is a skill you want to develop.
Mondays can be hard after coming off a fun or restful weekend. They don’t have to be. Make Mondays matter, taking ownership of your day.
Good Practice:
1. Dress for Success
2. Map out a Plan
3. Set a Value Goal
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Acknowledging others
It feels good to be acknowledged. We do our work because it is our job, and we are required to meet expectations. We go through the motions on some tasks, and we may put in extra effort on other tasks. Usually we don’t expect a ‘Thank you’ for everything we do, every time we do it. However, it is nice to feel that our work is appreciated and what we are doing is making a difference.
When I am craving acknowledgement, it can lead down different paths. I can get angry at my superiors for not giving me attention. I can get jealous that my coworkers are doing cooler projects or getting more praise. And, as my last blog mentioned, “comparison goes nowhere.” The best thing I’ve found to help myself get out of the ‘I’m not getting acknowledged’ mindset, is to acknowledge others.
There are many ways of acknowledging others. An easy way is to write a short note to your coworker. Be specific. Acknowledge a specific action he has done. Express what it meant to you, and how it improves your work experience or benefits the organization. Writing these notes help us recognize there are great things going on around us. It strengthens our ability to be grateful for our relationships in our work environment. It gets us out of our negative thinking and valuing others.
Recognize how your co-workers like to be appreciated. Is it with written words, verbal affirmations, public recognition, one-on-one quality time, small gifts, or an extra hand on a task they are doing? If it is hard to tell, ask them directly. Gary Chapman is known for his books on love languages, and has a book on appreciation in the workplace.
Appreciating others gives us a sense of connection and camaraderie with our co-workers. If we don’t know where we stand with our manager, it is appropriate to ask for feedback. With respectful intentions, express that it is important for you to know that you are bringing value to the organization. Share a few ways of how you like to be appreciated. You manager might think she is acknowledging you, but she may be communicating on her terms, but not on yours. Discuss ways with each other how you and other co-workers can feel appreciated. If your manager is not responsive to this idea, consider taking the lead in acknowledging those around you.
Showing appreciation for others around us not only makes them feel really good, it helps us feel better about ourselves.
Good practice:
1. Observe a few co-workers. Notice tasks they do and how they do them.
2. Observe or ask them how they like to be appreciated.
3. Take time to write a personalized note fore a specific action they did and how you felt about it.
4. Make it a practice to appreciate a different co-worker once a week (or time frame that works for you).
When I am craving acknowledgement, it can lead down different paths. I can get angry at my superiors for not giving me attention. I can get jealous that my coworkers are doing cooler projects or getting more praise. And, as my last blog mentioned, “comparison goes nowhere.” The best thing I’ve found to help myself get out of the ‘I’m not getting acknowledged’ mindset, is to acknowledge others.
There are many ways of acknowledging others. An easy way is to write a short note to your coworker. Be specific. Acknowledge a specific action he has done. Express what it meant to you, and how it improves your work experience or benefits the organization. Writing these notes help us recognize there are great things going on around us. It strengthens our ability to be grateful for our relationships in our work environment. It gets us out of our negative thinking and valuing others.
Recognize how your co-workers like to be appreciated. Is it with written words, verbal affirmations, public recognition, one-on-one quality time, small gifts, or an extra hand on a task they are doing? If it is hard to tell, ask them directly. Gary Chapman is known for his books on love languages, and has a book on appreciation in the workplace.
Appreciating others gives us a sense of connection and camaraderie with our co-workers. If we don’t know where we stand with our manager, it is appropriate to ask for feedback. With respectful intentions, express that it is important for you to know that you are bringing value to the organization. Share a few ways of how you like to be appreciated. You manager might think she is acknowledging you, but she may be communicating on her terms, but not on yours. Discuss ways with each other how you and other co-workers can feel appreciated. If your manager is not responsive to this idea, consider taking the lead in acknowledging those around you.
Showing appreciation for others around us not only makes them feel really good, it helps us feel better about ourselves.
Good practice:
1. Observe a few co-workers. Notice tasks they do and how they do them.
2. Observe or ask them how they like to be appreciated.
3. Take time to write a personalized note fore a specific action they did and how you felt about it.
4. Make it a practice to appreciate a different co-worker once a week (or time frame that works for you).
Monday, July 31, 2017
Comparison Goes Nowhere
Have there ever been days when you’ve wished you’ve had someone else’s job? Either on your team, or in your company, or a completely different job altogether? If you haven’t, are you sure you are human?
Since the beginning of time, human nature has been fraught with jealousy. It is so engrained, the Bible issues a command, “You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17 (NIV). Exodus gives a few more examples in what not to covet. No, ‘your neighbor’s job’ is not in there specifically, but it’s a valid interpretation.
Some things never change over the course of time. If we weren’t happy to begin with, media reminds us that other things outside of ourselves will make us happy. In today’s era, we are bombarded with messages that imply "what you have is not good enough….you need more, more, more!"
In contrast to media’s messages, Pastor Andy Stanley said in his message, “There’s no win in comparison.” This rings true loud and clear in my life. If I compare myself, my job, my relationships, or any other parts of my life to others, I am going to fall into a deep hole of greed or depression.
How does this relate to job satisfaction? When times get tough, is so easy to want a different task, serve in a different position, or work for a different person. I’ve been there. Dwelling on the frustrations got me nowhere. I had to remind myself that I am in this position for a reason, and others have their jobs for their own reasons.
When I get flighty thoughts of ‘the grass is greener on the other side’, I need to ground myself in reality.
- I write a gratitude list for the reasons I’m grateful for my job and task at hand.
- I recognize the gifts of others that got them the position they have.
- I look at the skills that I am missing in order to accomplish the job I want to do.
- I ask my manager if I can assist my co-worker in a task I’m interested in doing.
- I evaluate my job description and discuss with my manager my options based on my skills, interests and the company’s needs.
These constructive actions have taken me in a healthy direction. I need to make positive choices to dig myself out of negative thinking.
When you find yourself playing the comparison game, personally or professionally, recognize what you are doing and stop. Re-direct those thoughts by taking positive action.
Good Practice:
1. Write down reasons you are grateful for your job or task.
2. Write down your skills and see how they apply to different tasks.
3. Ask your manager for a meeting to receive feedback on your role, and possible tasks you can take on in your position.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Shifting Perspectives
In my last blog, I mentioned that our perspectives shape our attitudes. How can I change my perspective on things that seem so obviously terrible and hopeless? The best way to change my perspective is to shift my frame of reference and see things through a different lens. Like a photographer wanting to get the best shot, we can change our lens or distance from the situation.
Was I born with my lens, or did I come by it naturally through years of experience? Does the fact I’m a middle child determine how I act and react to people around me? Do my parents influence my way of thinking? Does my education or social class give a sense of entitlement? Most likely ‘yes’ to all of the above.
For the longest time, when I was given a task that was too easy for me, or excessively repetitive, I would react with disdain and resentment. Hoards of negative thoughts would flood my mind, and it was easy to blame others for my inconvenience. I held most of my thoughts inside, but I know they leaked out in different ways.
Then a mentor encouraged me to shift my frame of thinking. My job is to accept people, places and things exactly as they are, and see how I can change myself. It isn’t easy, and doesn’t come naturally. At the same time, it is the only thing that I can truly change.
My perspective of, “I’m too good for copying, pasting and transposing data onto spreadsheets,” needed to change. I thought about the greater good I’m working for, the missions and values of my organization, the fact I’m here to serve and am truly lucky to have a job.
As I consistently thought about the holistic nature of my task, I was able to shift my perspective. Shifting to a ‘greater good’ perspective allowed me to shape my attitude into a positive and productive work-mode.
It’s simple, but not easy. It takes practice, willingness and determination to shift age-old perspectives. Give it a try, it can only make things better.
Good Practice
1. Write down a recent situation when you had a negative attitude about a task. What was going on? Why didn’t you like what was happening?
2. Write down a situation that happened at least 10 years ago when you didn’t like having to do something.
3. Do you notice any patterns with your thoughts and attitudes about both situations?
4. What experiences in your life have shaped your thoughts, perspectives and attitudes?
5. What actions can you take to shift your perspectives?
Was I born with my lens, or did I come by it naturally through years of experience? Does the fact I’m a middle child determine how I act and react to people around me? Do my parents influence my way of thinking? Does my education or social class give a sense of entitlement? Most likely ‘yes’ to all of the above.
For the longest time, when I was given a task that was too easy for me, or excessively repetitive, I would react with disdain and resentment. Hoards of negative thoughts would flood my mind, and it was easy to blame others for my inconvenience. I held most of my thoughts inside, but I know they leaked out in different ways.
Then a mentor encouraged me to shift my frame of thinking. My job is to accept people, places and things exactly as they are, and see how I can change myself. It isn’t easy, and doesn’t come naturally. At the same time, it is the only thing that I can truly change.
My perspective of, “I’m too good for copying, pasting and transposing data onto spreadsheets,” needed to change. I thought about the greater good I’m working for, the missions and values of my organization, the fact I’m here to serve and am truly lucky to have a job.
As I consistently thought about the holistic nature of my task, I was able to shift my perspective. Shifting to a ‘greater good’ perspective allowed me to shape my attitude into a positive and productive work-mode.
It’s simple, but not easy. It takes practice, willingness and determination to shift age-old perspectives. Give it a try, it can only make things better.
Good Practice
1. Write down a recent situation when you had a negative attitude about a task. What was going on? Why didn’t you like what was happening?
2. Write down a situation that happened at least 10 years ago when you didn’t like having to do something.
3. Do you notice any patterns with your thoughts and attitudes about both situations?
4. What experiences in your life have shaped your thoughts, perspectives and attitudes?
5. What actions can you take to shift your perspectives?
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Humility
One of the most difficult, yet one of the most important qualities to practice in a job (or really, any situation), is humility. What does practicing humility look like?
Humility is accepting that I am one among many and I am here to serve others around me. It is the antidote to pride and the attitude of “I’m better than this.”
Jobs come with many different tasks and responsibilities. Some of those tasks are not fun or what you’d like to be spending your time on. We can spend our time daydreaming that our job was different, or that someone else could be doing these tasks. Or, we can accept that we are here for this job and we are here to perform.
We perform by doing our job without complaining. We accomplish these tasks and see how we can improve the process. We connect with our co-workers to see how we can support one another in similar tasks. We ask our boss for feedback and may possibly present a plan for change if we have carefully thought it out.
Our job is to do our job. We have a choice in our perspectives. Our perspectives shape our attitudes. If we begin with a perspective of humility, our attitudes shift from “I deserve” to “I serve”. As we see our jobs as places where we can serve others, we can be successful anywhere.
Good Practice:
1. Think about one job task that you don’t enjoy doing.
2. Visualize how it would change if you acted as if you really enjoyed doing it. What kind of perspective shift and attitude would that require?
3. Write down ways that you are serving others or your organization by doing this task.
4. Complete the task while practicing your new ways of thinking.
Humility is accepting that I am one among many and I am here to serve others around me. It is the antidote to pride and the attitude of “I’m better than this.”
Jobs come with many different tasks and responsibilities. Some of those tasks are not fun or what you’d like to be spending your time on. We can spend our time daydreaming that our job was different, or that someone else could be doing these tasks. Or, we can accept that we are here for this job and we are here to perform.
We perform by doing our job without complaining. We accomplish these tasks and see how we can improve the process. We connect with our co-workers to see how we can support one another in similar tasks. We ask our boss for feedback and may possibly present a plan for change if we have carefully thought it out.
Our job is to do our job. We have a choice in our perspectives. Our perspectives shape our attitudes. If we begin with a perspective of humility, our attitudes shift from “I deserve” to “I serve”. As we see our jobs as places where we can serve others, we can be successful anywhere.
Good Practice:
1. Think about one job task that you don’t enjoy doing.
2. Visualize how it would change if you acted as if you really enjoyed doing it. What kind of perspective shift and attitude would that require?
3. Write down ways that you are serving others or your organization by doing this task.
4. Complete the task while practicing your new ways of thinking.
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Welcome!
Do you have a job? Are you planning on getting a job? Have you ever worked in a job? If so, this site is for you.
Most of us have to work in order to keep a roof over our heads or food on our plates. Some of us are privileged enough to get an education that allows us to work in a field we are skilled in. Others of us are in a field we loved at first, and then realized it wasn't for us. Plenty of us just have jobs in order to survive, regardless of education or interest.
I am grateful for my education, I am grateful I have a job. My challenge was that due to my education (and other personality traits) I thought I was better than my job and the tasks required of me. Over the course of five years, I had several managers talk with me about being more pro-active in helping others and consistent in my attitude.
Last year, I had a wake up call. I was given the choice to change myself, or to change jobs (not so voluntarily). As a result, I wanted to take positive action, learn from my mistakes and change my behavior. This was NOT an overnight practice, and took time.
This blog is a series of lessons that I have learned, and am learning. I hope it inspires young professionals, mid-career employees, and any person who experiences the ups and downs in the workplace.
Are you ready? Let's begin.
Most of us have to work in order to keep a roof over our heads or food on our plates. Some of us are privileged enough to get an education that allows us to work in a field we are skilled in. Others of us are in a field we loved at first, and then realized it wasn't for us. Plenty of us just have jobs in order to survive, regardless of education or interest.
I am grateful for my education, I am grateful I have a job. My challenge was that due to my education (and other personality traits) I thought I was better than my job and the tasks required of me. Over the course of five years, I had several managers talk with me about being more pro-active in helping others and consistent in my attitude.
Last year, I had a wake up call. I was given the choice to change myself, or to change jobs (not so voluntarily). As a result, I wanted to take positive action, learn from my mistakes and change my behavior. This was NOT an overnight practice, and took time.
This blog is a series of lessons that I have learned, and am learning. I hope it inspires young professionals, mid-career employees, and any person who experiences the ups and downs in the workplace.
Are you ready? Let's begin.
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