Working World

We live in an Information Age where speed is everything. We rely on technology to get things done faster so we can take on a larger workload. Multitasking is the only way we can get everything done on our to-do lists. The more we do, the more there needs to be done. Companies are requiring longer hours from American workers, especially during the economic downturn, and it’s been documented by the United Nations’ International Labor Organization that American workers are putting in roughly 100 to 500 more hours annually than any of our counterparts around the globe; yet our efficiency levels are not keeping pace with these longer hours. In short: Just because we’re busier than ever doesn’t mean we’re doing a better job.

Burning Out

More American workers are also opting out of taking their paid vacation leave. The reasons for this are fear of not being able to keep up with the increasing workloads, more stress traveling nowadays (gas prices as well as airport security hassles), and fear of losing a job while away for more than a few days at a time. More than any other nation’s labor force, we also tend to believe our self-worth and identity is firmly entwined with what we do for a living and how hard we work at it. It’s no wonder that more American professionals are facing worker burnout.

Turnover rates in some industries, like healthcare, are higher than they’ve ever been. For the first time in a couple of decades, young people entering the workforce are stating in polls that they are more interested in a job that fulfills them than a job that pays the most money. Quality of life is attracting — and keeping — more employees at progressive companies that offer flexible lifestyle benefits in addition to the standard health and retirement packages.

Taking Care of You

Whether you’re already in a job and actively searching for a better one or you’re fresh out of school looking for your first gig, chances are the process of searching for a job is adding some stress to your life and shortening your “me” time. Let’s face it. In today’s competitive world, looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself.

Pacing yourself will keep you from burning out while you’re looking for — and after you’ve landed — that new job. Set realistic goals for your day and remember to fit in some personal relaxation time. Many great ideas come to us while we’re doing things unrelated to work. For example, Einstein was famous for taking naps and the solution to his Theory of Relativity came to him while he was dreaming.

We may not all be geniuses, but we just might discover the solution to our own career problems while we are focused on taking a hike instead of staring at a computer screen. Slowing down and making yourself a priority is not being lazy: it’s a step towards being a successful, grounded and productive professional. Learning how to set healthy boundaries is key.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

1) Put yourself at the top of your own to-do list. If you are constantly expending energy and not adding any fuel to your tank, sooner or later you’ll run out of gas. You’ll have nothing to give to your significant other or your children and you’ll certainly have nothing to give to your career. Taking care of YOU is your top priority!

2) Saying “no” to others is saying “yes” to yourself. What does saying "no" mean? Don’t always be available to take on the tough assignments or work overtime on the holidays. Don’t automatically reach for the doughnuts just because someone brought them in to work and you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Don’t come into work when you have a contagious cold that others will catch. Caring for yourself, you will have more to give to others.

3) Protect your chi (energy). Don’t take on other people’s negativity. People tend to dump their problems and vent their worries on others who allow them to do it. We end up feeling drained while they walk away feeling lighter for unburdening their load on us. Spreading harmful gossip is another energy zapper. Focus on work and taking care of yourself and avoid all energy vampires.

4) Turn on your answering machine. There, I said it. I give you permission to not answer your phone. Whether at work or at home, you have the power to slow down your responses. You might want to let people know — or not — that during the hours of this and that you are not available. Think of how much easier it will be to get your work done if you have a solid chunk of uninterrupted time. You'll sleep better at home if you stop accepting phone calls from friends or colleagues at least two hours before your bedtime.

5) Leave work at work. It’s a good idea to decompress from the stress at work before you begin interacting with your family and friends. Develop some little routine that becomes your own individual ritual to help you make the transition from work life to personal life. Your ritual will be your own. The most important thing is to allow yourself at least 20 to 30 minutes at the end of work to let go of the corporate dramas and get your mind back in touch with your life and what’s important to you. After all, you’re not only a professional, you’re a member of a family and you have other interests besides what you do for a living.   

Let Feng Shui Help You Relax

Good feng shui is about bringing balance and harmony to our living and working spaces. When chi is in positive alignment we feel more relaxed. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice that is based on many common sense principles. For example, we don’t usually feel comfortable working with our backs to a door because it leaves us vulnerable to being startled by people sneaking up on us. One feng shui solution for this is to place a mirror so we always know who is entering the room behind us.

Remove the clutter, remove the stress. The easiest feng shui tip to begin now is to get organized. At work, keeping your personal space tidy and clean will keep you feeling on top of your game and make it easier for you to resume your projects when you return to work each day. Likewise, a well-kept work area allows you to get your gear quickly and get home faster when your shift is over. Once you’re home, if you’ve kept your space clutter-free there, too, you’ll find more time to unwind.

Negative vibes. Get rid of dead plants and flowers, stale food, broken clocks or other faulty equipment (have it repaired or replaced), old files that are no longer needed, pens and markers that are dried up, etc. When things are in good working order, people feel happy at work.

Feed your soul. Bring a touch of beauty to your life to inspire your spirit. Bring a bud vase to your desk and keep a fresh cut red rose or other favorite flower in it. Tape a piece of art or a favorite photo or motivational poem to the inside door of your locker.

Under cover. Boring career clothing got you down? Nobody needs to know what you got going on underneath 'em, do they?! Guys: Get those hot red boxer shorts. Girls: Lavish yourself with lace and satin. Knowing you’re looking your sexy best can give you a real energy boost (not to mention a secret smile) all day long.

Treat yourself. Find time to get your hair and nails done. Treat yourself to a professional massage every now and then. Read a novel, shoot hoops, spend time doing something just for you at least 20 minutes per day.  

Katy Allgeyer is an artist and freelance writer. She is a columnist for Working World and Working Nurse magazines. Her features have appeared there and in Feng Shui Times, Art of WellBeing, and You & Me Magazine.

1 COMMENTS

• Catherine Rhodes

  The author's advice is to turn off your phone and leave work at work. But is that really possible? In the information age, the expectation is that we are connected by phone to our email, IM and text messaging as well as phone. One seminar I attended suggested that every message be returned within two hours. I think that is fine, as long as allowances are made by one's employer to compensate for being on the 24-hour clock.

  May 04, 2009