| Workplace Success Myths & Tips | November 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
November is here! And you know what that means...time to dust off your favorite holiday recipes and start cooking! Here's a recipe for workplace success:
1 pound RESULTS
2 Dashes ENTHUSIASM
3 Tablespoon positive ATTITUDE
4 Ounces COOPERATION
5 Cups HONOR
Mix all ingredients and simmer for your entire career. It is important to add all ingredients along with a pinch of HUMOR and a dash of FUN for success in the workplace!
This month our focus is on ATTITUDE. That can be the first thing to go during the holiday season, so here are some tips to boost your positive reaction to work at this busy time of year. |
|
Boosting ATTITUDE: Making the REACH Framework work for you:
ATTITUDE is the third element of the REACH framework. Although related to ENTHUSIASM, this element is specifically targeted to those tasks you DON'T like about your job.
All of us--from the entry level person who started last week to the senior leader of the company--have things we don't like to do as part of our everyday work. So how do we deal with those unpleasant tasks?
Here are some tips to boost ATTITUDE on the job. Try them this month!:
1. Be realistic. Don't expect to have fun all day, every day. Of course you are going to like some of your tasks more than others. Keep the big picture in mind. Remember how this particular--although unpleasant--task contributes to the overall goals of your job and your organization's success.
2. Maintain an open mind. The relative pain of an unpleasant task is directly related to how you approach that task. If you tackle it with a negative filter ("This is going to suck" or "I really hate doing this") guess what will happen? The task will be terrible! However, if you go in with a different filter ("I'm going to get this done perfectly the first time" or "I'll bet I can complete this faster than I did last month") you may be surprised that the task isn't as unpleasant as you thought it might be. Your expectation of the experience can create the experience.
3. Get 'er done. Don't procrastinate. It can make a painful task even more painful! Use tried and true methods to get this task completed as quickly as possible.
4. Share the wealth. Have you ever heard the expression "Many hands make light work?" Try sharing the unpleasant tasks with willing co-workers. If everyone shares, you may have to do that work only once a quarter instead of every week. Caution: you may need to coordinate this with your supervisor!
Try each of these tips during the month of November. See how they help keep your ATTITUDE positive! |
|
Q&A:
Here is a question from Lauren in New York:
"I'm working in a job that has lots of great aspects, but a few tasks that I absolutely hate. How can I avoid these tasks?"
Our Answer:
Lauren, there are several things you can do--not to avoid the tasks--but to change your attitude towards them. The tips above can really help, but here are a couple of specific things you can try today.
1. Create a list of all your tasks. Put the ones you like or love on one side, and the ones you hate on the other side. Notice the big picture--how many things you do that you like versus the ones you don't. Hopefully the "good" list is much longer than the "bad" list!
2. The next time one of the "bad" tasks comes up, put a smile on your face and tackle it like it is something you absolutely love. This may feel like "faking it until you make it" but that's OK. It may help you feel better about the task and get it done more quickly.
|
|
|
|
Now booking 2012 workshops!
Workplace Success Store
Essential Team Leader Research
Workplace
Success Events
What People are Saying...
"You provided great practical tips and information. I know 'how' to do this now back at work."
- Comment from the SHRM Colorado Conference
"This was the best workshop in the entire conference! I loved the interaction." - Comment from the FPMI Human Capital Conference
How are others using "The Essential Employee"?
- New supervisor program at a Federal Agency
- Workplace reentry program at a Community College
- New employee program at a DOD contract company
- High School Work Skills programs
- Career Center resources
Blog with Us!
Join the conversation about Workplace Success!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learn More:
Do you want to learn more about becoming more essential (and competitive) in the workplace - or would you like to help others become more essential? Be sure to confirm your email subscription at the top of this newsletter to continue to receive information about today's workplace and how to succeed in it.
Please forward this to the graduates, employees, supervisors, or educators in your life. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness (and our tips)!
|
|
Recommended Resources
The first book in the series is available!
"The Essential Employee: The Adventures of Carmen Senz."
Check out this engaging, easy-to-read story based on research in organizations across the USA. The story is about Carmen Senz's first six months at work and the lessons she learns about being an essential employee. It's a fun way to learn important lessons that will make you more essential in the workplace.
"I have read the first few chapters of The Essential Employee and found it difficult to put down. The story line teaches a lesson while remaining engaging for the reader. I would recommend this to other educators." - Carissa Monatukwa, Teacher
"Essential Employee Facilitation Guide"
The perfect resource for teachers and trainers to implement "The Essential Employee" in a learning environment. Includes suggestions for learning activities both in and away from the classroom.
"I highly recommend this book to training professionals, employers and most importantly to employees who want to discover what it takes to build their skills and be successful." - Karen Holcomb, Executive Director
|
|
About Us
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are friends, colleagues, and co-authors of "The Essential Employee." They met in 1999 and worked together for several years as organization consultants-helping large and small organizations implement change. During their work together, they discovered a mutual passion for helping individuals succeed! And so they embarked on the journey to help employees become more successful in the workplace. Most books are written for leaders and managers-but Traci and Judy thought employees could benefit from their own book. Thus, Carmen (our heroine) was born to teach all of us how to be more essential.
Traci and Judy conduct speaking engagements and workshops all over the country-helping others understand and use the REACH framework outlined in their book. In addition, they both own thriving consulting practices and work on a wide variety of projects like strategic planning, change management, teambuilding, facilitation, and training. Their desire is to help individuals and organizations REACH their Peaks.
|
|
Use Our News As A Resource
Would you like to reprint something you have read here? If so, you MUST include our bio and link. Please use the following information (changes only if we have reviewed and approved them):
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are authors, organization consultants, and coaches whose passion is to help individuals and organizations REACH their peaks. They help people across the USA become more effective, more focused, and more successful. Receive their free news updates and workplace tips at www.essentialemployee.com
|
Thank you for your time and interest! Visit us at www.essentialemployee.com for events, workshops, surveys, products, and more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
