Question of the Day:

How much is too much? I take on more work each year and somehow I find a way to make it work but typically this involves me working into the late hours at home. Everyone at my work says they believe in balance but the reality of my job is I’ve taken on too much. How do I pull back without making it seem like I’m less committed?

Your question is one that many people are asking today.  Many are concerned. But few are actually voicing the question to management because, as you stated, they don’t want be seen as uncommitted or find themselves unemployed. Overwork has become a success factor in today’s work place.

Before discussing the situation with those you work for there a few things you can do yourself to lighten your work load,

• Review what you do and determine if it is necessary to keep doing it, and if so is there a more efficient way to do it if you are going to continue the process Look at the overall work you do and determine if you are delegating enough to other people that might be more efficient and have more time to get      the work done
• Go through your inbox realistically and work on those things that have the most importance first and add things of less importance to a list to be done on an as needed basis
• Quit at a reasonable hour and stop extending the time you spend at work for a month to determine whether you might need and assistant or an intern to actually get the job done.

Keeping track of the insight you gain as you evaluate your work practices will be helpful if you determine that management needs to be involved to bring about the changes you find are  necessary.  The gathering of the data will also demonstrate factually what needs to be done to bring balance to the position and show your commitment to doing the best job possible.

Companies like Google, Zappos, Microsoft think creativity and innovation are so important that they build the process into their work model. Creativity is the basis for forward movement. Yet more and more people are finding less time to be creative at work. More pressure to have things done more quickly, and slimmer work forces create time crunches that make it seem impossible to take time out to allow creativity to take place and flow and yet is it a necessity to do so for future progress and satisfaction with what is produced.

How do we find time; what can be done to be more innovative and creative at work?

Ideas to add creativity to the work place:

• Place a higher value on innovation and creativity at work
• Recognize  it as bottom line enhancer and treat it      accordingly by making time in the work day for it
• Make it a Company policy that periodically people must take vacation time to regroup
• Bring people together to share ideas and provide a sounding board for collaboration
• Create an innovation and creativity budget so new ideas can be implemented

By implementing these ideas, you will find that creativity ideas will not only be a profit enhancer, but also a morale booster.  It can create not only a more productive work environment but also a happier atmosphere to work in.

Question of the Day?

Any tips on getting sunlight and fresh air for someone who is climbing the corporate ladder inside of a high rise?

Taking a part of your lunch hour to be outside would give you the chance to get sunlight and fresh air.  Taking a short break outside during the day to get some fresh air would also help.  Jogging before work or walking to work could be invigorating as well as providing a chance to do deep breathing outside as you start your day. Take the opportunity, when you attend outside meetings, to choose transportation that provides a chance to get sunlight and fresh air.  Keep a pair of tennis shoes in your desk drawer, so if the opportunity arises to walk to a meeting instead of riding, you are prepared.

Adding a couple of plants and nature pictures could provide a feeling of being in nature and provide a feeling of being outdoors.  Making your cubicle feel open and airy could also decrease your sense of being in a sterile office setting.

Starting an idea journal is a good way to decide which ideas have merit and are worth taking action on.  Take the time to write the ideas down that come to you. Once a week or so review the ideas you have come up  with and see which one if any  you would like to develop.  Every few months or so go back over you entries and see if any of the ideas you passed over now seem worth paying more attention to.  If so, add them to the ideas you will actively work on.

Once you have some ideas you decide to pursue determine what action you can take to begin bringing  your ideas to life.  The more you engage in this process the more ideas, resources and action steps will become apparent to you.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Susan didn’t back down or give up.  She shocked people when she began to sing and went on to win second place that season.  Over 12 million people have viewed this video of that performance.  Today she makes albums and performs around the world because she pursued and held on to her dreams and did not give up.

Imagine what can happen if you stick with your dreams and allow them to come about. Nothing is impossible; the impossible just takes a little longer sometimes.

I want to start a business, but don’t see a way to get started.  Any insight?

A lot of things go into creating a business. The planing, the passion, the determination are all essential parts of getting your business up and running.  None of these necessarily need capital  or outside resources to get started.  The big thing is to begin to create the structure on paper you would like to build.  As you get clear on what you need and how you would do things, you will start to see ways that you can tangibly create what you desire.

The longer you wait for resources to materialize to start your business the longer you put off actually setting the wheels in  place to achieve what you desire to achieve.

I like my work but worry that it will eventually become stagnant.  I tend to like change.  Any ideas on how I can keep my work fresh so I can give myself a chance to grow roots finally?

Sounds like working in a project and team environment would work for you.  Projects have a beginning and ending target date and could provide the change you are looking for.  Working with a team and assigning members of the team to follow up on anything that needs to be worked on, once the project is completed, would allow you to concentrate on your next project. Working on projects could allow you to grow roots, while at the same time satisfying your desire for change.

To begin the process to find what you are looking for, first think about whether it is possible to turn your present position, profession into a project, team environment.  If you find that your present situation does not lend itself to that type of set up, start looking for an opportunity that can offer you both the variety and stability you are looking for.  Positions that provide variety, change, roots and advancement are out there.  Knowing what you are looking for, and that it is possible, will make the process easier.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Does what you do in your work enrich your life outside work?

How does enjoying your job, or not enjoying your job affect you attitude at work?