Archive for the 'Responsibility' Category

Don’t Let Your Diversions Take Over Your Job

Published at November 22, 2007 in Attitude, Responsibility, Blogs and Blogging and Career/Work/Job. 24 Comments

I used to be a workaholic, which meant I did my job not just efficiently, effectively, and productively but also going over and beyond expectations. It gave me a true sense of accomplishment. Extra-miling was one of my hobbies — sometimes I even brought my work at home to keep up or to be ahead.

I produced results. And by that, I meant awesome results that made my co-workers and I truly proud. It was a good scenario for me because it made me happy.

I have a weakness, though. When I develop new interests, they sometimes affect my priorities. These interests become diversions.

When I discovered blogging, it became my number one diversion and it interfered with my work.

I used to hone my technical skills.
Now I enjoy lurking in various websites.

I used to read books.
Now I prioritize blog-hopping and commenting in other blogs hoping to increase my site’s traffic.

I used to enjoy updating my school’s website.
Now it took a backseat because I prefer looking for themes and plugins to improve my blog.

Suddenly, I’m the man who can’t produce results. Because at the back of my head, I keep thinking my job can wait. I know I can always do it later.

Problem is, “later” never ever arrives because:

  • I look for and think of something to blog about instead of focusing on the real work at hand.
  • I check my site’s stats whenever I get the chance.
  • I leave my email open and check it every time I go near my laptop.
  • I visit social sites to learn more about blogging tips because I’m afraid to be left behind.

Other people love to malinger during work: extended coffee break, smoking, playing games online, shopping online, and many more. I know, because that’s what I’ve observed from others. Although I consider mine a lesser evil, it is still evil nonetheless, as far as my real work is concerned. Those activities I listed above are just a few examples of little things I insert during work. Little things that when combined, become a bad habit that holds back productivity.

And it has to stop now because that’s not the way I work. I am no fan of mediocrity.

There are reasons why I didn’t quit the 9-5 job (or 8-4 for me) for blogging. It’s because my day job is one of the biggest sources of my income and I enjoy it. Simply ignoring it means taking the risk of gradually losing it. And I can’t afford that. Without my job, this site will cease to exist.

This realization has led me to think that some things will simply have to be bumped down my to-do list. Since I enjoy blogging (or writing) and it makes me happy, I will continue to post and do the “blogging etiquette”, if they are within the boundaries of my priorities; or as long as I can do it while still producing results for my day job.

So how do I intend to do it?

Simple. Stop doing unnecessary things at work. It’s easier said than done, but that’s the responsibility that we all have to take. I’ll summarize it in two quick steps:

Step 1: Eliminate non-related activities during work hours - gradually, then completely. In this case, blogging has to be dropped from my 8-4 schedule.

Step 2: Every night, spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the most (not necessarily consecutive) for diversions. Since blogging is on the top of the list, I will have to settle doing it at night or when I get home. It includes “blog-rolling”, stats checking, commenting, social networking, and the like. I feel I have already built a connection with other bloggers and I don’t want to lose that. My presence will definitely still be felt. Doing Step 2, I will not have to worry about blogging during work hours.

In simple words, I just have to be more disciplined to live more happily.

How about you, do your diversions interfere with your work? If so, what do you plan to do to remain productive?

——

Inspired by:
Haiku Blogging @ ProBlogger.com

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Why You Should Not Avoid Negative People

Published at November 2, 2007 in Positive Thinking, Motivation, Attitude and Responsibility. 65 Comments

I’ve read somewhere that one of the steps to stay positive is to avoid being around negative people. Somehow, I am not buying it. Because if you do, you are not different than those you try to avoid.

To me, positive thinking is about perception: spinning harsh realities to discover a silver lining and to be productive. That’s why I consider positive people as stronger species - they don’t give up easily on negative situations. Some people have the qualities to be positive - either naturally or learned, and some don’t; and we have to accept it.

And that’s why for me, positive people have the responsibility to try influence the negative ones, and not avoid them. I view it as absurdity when positive people simply decide to walk away from them to protect their own feelings. Isn’t it much better if you try to direct them out of dark? Isn’t the correct strategy around negative people is to bring sunshine when rain is pouring?

I’m not against avoiding them, especially if your strategies are not working. And I understand if you would prefer to step away: at some point, we need to think of what’s best for ourselves, too. What I’m saying is, “leaving” should be the last resort. Try first to change the mood to something light, and do it sincerely and with the best of your ability before leaving them sulking. Display your strength and encourage them to whistle a happy tune. If you don’t, then you are showing that you are as weak as they are.

And this reminds me of a friend of mine, who we’ll call Christine. She had a rough time one day and was complaining about how underpaid she was considering the work she had been doing for the company we were working for. She went on and on, whining, and talking about how her supervisor didn’t take care of her when the latter missed giving her the salary increase that was due that month. I was just listening, and I treated her stories lightly. I was even smiling like it was no big deal.

When she was finally done, I told her: “count your blessings.” She was silent for a moment, speechless. She didn’t see it coming. She said, “I know, but…” and failed to continue. The next morning, I received a voicemail from her thanking me for my timely words the previous day. Imagine if I encouraged her to whine more or to support her negative thoughts? I would feel bad about it knowing I could change the situation. Instead, two souls felt better that morning.

I stumbled upon Edward Mills‘ detailed article about tips for staying positive around negative people. It was an excellent read. I can relate to some of his tips because I’ve been using them unconsciously. Although if I were him, I would clarify that “avoidance” should be the last option. In fact, I would say “STAY”, because it is the right thing to do; and because negative people are not always negative all the time.

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Responsibility Is A Sacrifice

Published at October 19, 2007 in Responsibility, Career/Work/Job and School/Teaching. 7 Comments

Jack was still sleeping, and it was already past 6 am. He’s late for school now, so his mother tried to wake him up. “Jack, get up! You’re late for school!” But Jack said, “5 more minutes, Mom…” and he returned to sleep.

Minutes later, his mother tried to wake him up again: “Jack, get up! You need to go school!” But Jack loved to sleep, so he turned his back on his mother and said: “But I still want to sleep!” He pulled the blanket to his head.

His mother, now displaying a ‘motherly demeanor’, said: “Jack, you have to get up now! You really need to go to school!”

“But I don’t want to go!”

To which his mother replied: “But you need to! You ARE the school principal!”

It was a fictitious story told to us by my high school teacher; I knew she was just trying to make a point. She said that being responsible is doing things you don’t like. When I was younger, I agreed with her. Jack didn’t want to go to school but he had an obligation, so he still went and did his job. It made sense.

Now, after revisiting the story, I think my teacher might have been mistaken….

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