This Is No Time to Waste Time

Employers are cutting employees in record numbers and making do with less people on their payrolls. To that end, this is no time to waste time at work. Each person must do his or her share to keep productivity and profits up. When you are at work—work. Avoid the following timewasters.

• Using office phones and copiers for personal business.
• Wasting time on personal business.
• Misusing the Internet.
• Chatting idly with coworkers.
• Showing up for work late.
• Leaving work early before quitting time.
• Coming back from breaks and lunches late.

Go With the Flow—Get Along With Others

Most people get fired from a job because they cannot get along with others. In an economy with double-digit unemployment, don’t let this happen to you. Find a way to get along with your coworkers, clients/customers, and supervisors. Look for common ground on which you can build a professional relationship.

• Be aware of miscommunication and the damage it can do to relationships.
• Avoid gossip and slander.
• Don’t pass the blame or make accusations.
• Observe how coworkers act and react so you have a better idea of how to deal with them.
• Respect others’ views and differences.
• Show an interest in others.
• Be pleasant and positive.

Giving Thanks

As we draw closer to Thanksgiving, we should be more aware of all those things for which we should offer thanks, and we should be writing them in our gratitude journal. If you do not have a journal, a mental thank you would be appropriate.

Don’t forget to think about all areas of life when giving thanks—spiritual, physical, mental, social. Include family, friends, pets, health and well-being, talents, peace of mind, etc. You get the picture. Take some time within the next couple of weeks, get centered, and open yourself to all of God’s blessings.

Increase Your Efficiency on the Job

Always be on the lookout for better ways to complete your tasks. Is there is a more efficient, less costly, faster way to do your job. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Will better organization help me do this task more efficiently?
2. Do I have the skills and ability to complete this task?
3. Is it possible to complete this task by the required deadline?
4. Can I make better use of company time?
5. Is the usual way of performing this task the best way to complete it?
6. Is there a better way of doing this task?
7. How can I work smarter?

Combating 10.2 Percent Unemployment

Unemployment has finally topped 10 percent—not a good statistic. With so many people losing jobs, employees need to concentrate their efforts on providing value to their employers. Here are some ideas to add value to your company:

• Raise your productivity level by completing tasks proficiently, correctly, and quickly. Compare your productivity to that of your coworkers. Do you measure up to their standards or surpass them?
• Look for additional responsibilities to take on that are within your capabilities. Volunteer to take on tasks no one else wants.
• If coworkers are laid off, assume additional work without complaint.
• Be grateful if you have a job. Be positive if you are searching for a job.

Halloween

Halloween is coming, but don’t get spooked by the fledging economy or the rising employment. Recession-proof your job by making yourself valuable to your employer. How? There are a number of ways, including doing more than you are asked.

Some people look at additional tasks as “more work piled on” instead of thinking of the new responsibilities as challenges. Learning new tasks is a great way to add value to your skills and to the company. In fact, ask for additional work responsibilities. Volunteer to do the jobs no one else wants to do. Prove that you are willing to earn the paycheck you receive.

Follow Your Passion to a Rewarding Career

What are you passionate about that you could make money doing? Is there a market for what you love to do? If so, that is the career path you should follow. Doing what you love turns work into pleasure, boredom into excitement. Focus on your passion—devote time to it—make it work for you.

Following your passion will not automatically guarantee you a carefree life and workplace, but it will make you care about your life and work.