While the food at the Chinese take-out restaurant we’ve been patronizing lately isn’t all that great, their fortune cookies are terrific. My fortune the other night:
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.
This bit of philosophy made me think of how very important it is to periodically reflect upon how happy you are with the work you do. Of course, we all have bad days but, overall, you should be able to say that you enjoy the work you do - that, yes, it makes you happy.
If you can’t, perhaps it is a good time to figure out why - and then to change the situation. Sometimes, you can negotiate for things that will increase your satisfaction, for example, a more challenging assignment or more resources to get the job done. Or, if the problem is deeper, perhaps it’s time to make a different employment decision…
The main thing to keep in mind is that your career satisfaction matters most to you - nobody else, except perhaps your mom, cares that much. Don’t let yourself down!
TAGS: career change, career goals, dealing with family expectations, Gratefulness, Leaving a bad boss or a job you hate, negotiation skills, personal brand building, personal development, ways to work healthy
I had dinner recently with a cousin; she mentioned how difficult it is for her to manage all the demands on her time. I shared this matrix (inspired by Steven Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) with her:
Here’s how you can use this tool to keep your focus and accomplish the things that are important to do: (more…)
TAGS: career cache, focus, Stephen Covey, time, ways to work healthy, Women at Work
But you’ve got to say “no” sometimes and accept that the other person isn’t going to be happy. I had to do it twice last week — and I did not enjoy it. Nonetheless, I realized that my interests would not be met if I said yes.
One of the ways women can get in our own way is to try to make others happy at our own expense. Way too often we are so focused on building relationships with others that we forget that we too should expect — and get — consideration. (more…)
TAGS: Building workplace relationships, communication, Communication Skills, negotiation skills, Political skills, Risk-taking, ways to work healthy, women, women and power, Women at Work, Women In the Professions, women leaders
I’m going through a health challenge right now. And it has given me time to think — especially about whether we make ourselves ill by working too hard, caring too much, multi-tasking, and refusing to pace ourselves. The answer isn’t an easy one. And I doubt that it is any different for men. But I know that just because you work hard doesn’t mean you cause yourself to be ill. Many illnesses are luck of the draw. Your number simply comes up.
Rather than blame ourselves, we should consider what’s best for us personally. We’re all individuals. Some of us can get by on fewer hours of sleep. Others are more organized and get more done in a day. Some of us are terrified by illness, others cope calmly. I think the important thing is to know yourself — to know your limits. If your job constantly pushes those limits, then it’s important to consider options.
Can you delegate more? Are there ways for you to succeed that don’t require constant working? Is it possible that you take on too many tasks, many of which contribute little or nothing to your advancement? How can you change that? Are you taking care of your health, getting appropriate screenings, and keeping informed so you can push yourself now and then without paying a big price?
These are only a few questions we should ask ourselves — and not only when we’re ill. Who are we trying to please? Is that the right person? And can we achieve what we want to in smarter rather than more physically or mentally demanding ways? This isn’t blaming, it’s applying common sense.
Worth a thought.
TAGS: health blame, health issues at work, ways to work healthy
