Reflection: On the highway of life, work should not drive you.
ByToday’s reflection takes on the stress we all encounter at work. Whether you are a janitor, a jokey, a DJ, or work at home in your PJs you will encounter stress at the ‘office.’ The key is how you face and respond to that stress. Your ability to respond appropriately is a HUGE determinate on the out come of the situation.
On the highway of life, work does not drive you. You drive your work by remaining calm and continuing to be positive.
When stress rears it ugly head, pause, breath (no really take a couple deep diaphramic breaths) and think or even say out loud: “I am in control of my emotions and my work. I am and will be successful because I am dedicated to my job and passionate about my life.”
When I personally get stressed, I pause and focus on the big picture – what is it that the team is trying to accomplish overall. Keeping the big picture in mind will help clarify the situation. I also try something a little different then many. I like to play drums so when I get tensed up – I will often play some air drums to a favorite song in my head. Or tap out that beat on the desk, my legs or what ever is within reach. Last Christmas my nephew bought me a set of finger drums that are about 5” high and look like a full set of drums for a mouse to play. They actually play. I use them to tap out my beat when sitting at my desk. Because I enjoy drumming so much my mind steers away from the buy cheap Omnicef online stressful feelings and my body relaxes, enabling me to come back ready to respond as I need to. Find out what your little stress recovery trick is – come up with some little method to get your mind relaxed so you can refocus positively and respond successfully.
When you get to work or started at work, embrace your assignments with a positive attitude. Believe that: Challenges are a welcomed part of your life because they revive the creativity within you. This positive focus and welcomed approach to new challenges will enable you to seek out the good in every situation. Challenges usually result in change, big or small, and I have found that the best way to handle change is to be a part of it, or better yet to be the one leading the change.
Always remember to stay calm under pressure. In my decades working in corporate America I have found many people have a monkey on their back due to lack of preparation and prior planning. Do not let people continually come into your office to share their problem and leave that monkey that was on their back on your desk. Another person’s lack of preparation does not constitute an emergency in your life. Appropriately stand up for yourself and know when to say no. Of course I know there will be those times that taking on someone else’s problem monkey will be a required part of your duties – life is all about balance. If you stand up for yourself and know when you say “No,” you will find fewer stress causing monkeys on your desk and more time for you to act on your success.
Drive your work; do not let it either drag you around, or enslave you. Again, here is where the big picture comes into play. I am happy to complete my work because it is valuable to me and it makes a difference to others. When I get comments from my audience on how my article, speech or talk show inspired or impacted them – I am motivated to get through the drudgery that is a part of all jobs at sometime or another. I am reminded what my best friend once said to me many years ago. He was working as a janitor for a major trucking company in their Los Angeles hub. His hours were long, his shift was in the middle of the night but at least his pay was good. I asked him why he was doing that when he could do so much more. His response, “My wife works during the day, this job enables me keep the kids at home rather than day care. I get to spend quality time with them during their development years and bond close with them.” He had a big picture in mind, one where his children came first even over an office with a window.
The point of this article is that being in the driver’s seat leads you to enjoy life all that much more. Your optimism will keep you miles ahead of your obligations, because a positive attitude will cause you to be proactive about the things that need to be done.
Here are some questions to ask yourself about your attitude towards work, your reaction to pressure etc. Answer them honestly and then reflect on how you can improve, even a little bit, starting right NOW!
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What kind of attitude do I display toward my work?
- How do I react under pressure?
- How can I be more proactive?
Think Successfully & Take Action
Tracy Brinkmann
Today’s Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
Check out my new eBook “Write Your Success Story” at http://www.WriteYourSuccessStory.com
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Way to keep a positive attitude about work! I’d like to add, “Do what you love – the money will follow.” Oh, and also, don’t take other people’s stress personally.