Very early in my life when I had just ascended the top office, I lent a patient ear to anyone who’d come knock at my (open) door. That way I ended up spending a lot of unscheduled time listening to people and their grievances. It definitely impacted my work when my boss told me the golden work rule- Prioritize. It was then that I realized that rules at work need to be carved separate from your personal habits. Just because you like someone or something doesn’t mean you should not say “no”. I’m sharing some of my habits that have resulted in me being much happier at work than what I was at the beginning. If it worked for me, it could work for you too.
Prioritize your people engagements.
A to-do list is very much underrated and has received a lot of flak of late from proponents of the minute by minute schedulers, but trust me, it helps accomplish more if you combine the two. Chalk your day to the last minute and STICK TO IT. Use color codes if necessary to mark the reds, the blues and the greens. You know what they mean, don’t you— the MUST do’s, the CAN do’s and the TRY TO do’s. Tick off all the reds, try to get as many blues as possible and make sure you don’t accommodate more greens in the future. They tempt you to spend time on them.
HR folks know the concept of the total worker where a person is considered homogenous with his or her background, education, friends, neighbors and upbringing. He comes as a complete package, one inseparable from the other. You don’t know if that person’s insecurity stems from childhood deprivation or that cranky colleague may actually have a drunkard dad at home. In case you have formed some opinion, talk to the person before you do so. People don’t move out of their homes thinking ‘Yeah man, I’ll be nasty today’. It’s their life that makes them so. Who are we to judge them?
There’s too much negativity already out there, why add to it? Smile often. Compliment people on their big and small wins or their outfits. Volunteer to help someone if you feel you can be of help. Cheer up someone who’s sitting with a grim face. Your positivity will definitely rub on to your team. People look forward to meeting and speaking to positive people.
I remember how impressed I was when an English movie named The Transporter starring Jason Statham released. His character in that movie made a lasting impression on me. Never forget you are a professional while at work. No ‘Chalta hai’ attitude when it comes to perfection. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s. Subroto Bagchi, in his book ‘The Professional’ says that a professional is one who strives for perfection even when no one is looking. Folding the letters, arranging the chairs, the courteous phrases used to the appointments diligently kept, be a professional thoroughly. Read more....
