Success in the workplace
This month, Dayton B2B magazine continues a special monthly series by columnist Tom Rubens, the founder of The Accountability Factor, that will help you learn simple, but effective strategies, for success in the workplace. Rubens will lead you through the 5 Rules of Engagement, and then follow-up with 5 No Can Do’s.
5 Rules of Engagement
May issue, Rule No. 1: The Basics — Clean up your work area
June issue, Rule No. 2: Divide and Conquer — Break big tasks down into bite-sized chunks
July issue, Rule No. 3: Prune Your Calendar — Get control over your day
August issue, Rule No. 4: Take Care of Your Body — Fitness and eating
September issue, Rule No. 5: Plan for Tomorrow Today — Avoid the “Now what do I do?” moments
Procrastination Vaccination: 5 “No-Can Do’s”
October issue, No. 1: Just say “No” to distractions, interruptions and anything/anyone who attempts to steer you off course
November issue, No. 2: Don’t fall victim to electronic ADD — email, telephone, Angry Birds, etc.
December issue, No. 3: Don’t take it personally — ignore the negativity and disempowering energy sent to you from others
January issue, No. 4: Don’t give in to fear — be courageous.
February issue, No. 5: Don’t lose sight of your Pillars — ties up all rules and “no-can-do’s.”
As we continue our journey towards Time Affluence, and more effective management of your life in the workplace and at home, we’ve come to a rule that is very highly charged. Our bookshelves, grocery aisles and TV shows are screaming both the overpowering temptations that challenge us, as well as the solutions we struggle to achieve. Of all the rules in this series, this is the one that gets the most attention.
Much of our self-esteem is tied up in our physical appearance, as well as the state of our health. Mastering this month’s rule, will have an impact that could truly change the course of your life. We all approach this issue from a different perspective, but the essential truth remains the same.
Rule Number 4. Take care of your body. If you expect to get the most out of your life, your body must be in shape to keep you on your game. Given the huge impact a well nourished body has on your health, and the importance of fitness on the management of your daily life, don't you think it would be a good idea to budget a block of time to eating well and exercising regularly? Yes, I know you do and I also know that this may be one of the first places you look to cut corners. Don't. Please, don't.
Apply your time affluence skills to your diet and exercise regimens. Make time to prepare and eat healthy foods. Make time to exercise. Have healthy snack options available at all times: an energy bar in your desk drawer or your purse; fresh fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator.
The world is full of temptations, and none of us is perfect, but if you are doing something that you know does not serve your Pillars, such as smoking, drinking excessively or eating more or less than you know to be good for you, take moment to ask yourself a few questions:
• Why am I doing something that I know is not good for my long-term health and well-being?
• Is there another way I could deal with the issues with which I’m struggling?
• How can I use my Pillars to help me stay strong in the face of temptation?
Breaking bad habits is just plain hard. There’s no way around it. But there are things you can do to increase the likelihood that you will be successful. Here are a few tips that I’ve used over the years. I offer them to you in the hope that they may help you, too:
• Replace a bad habit with a good one. Quitting cold-turkey is easier when you replace a bad habit with a more productive activity. Someone who bites her nails, for example, might substitute biting with the more productive habit of grooming her nails.
• One at a time. Don’t try for a complete makeover all at once. Give yourself a month to focus on just one habitual activity that you would like to break. Focusing on one habit at a time will give you a far greater chance of success.
• Be kind to yourself. You may not kick your potato chip habit overnight. If you fall off the wagon a couple times before you get it under control, give yourself credit for the effort and start again.
• Schedule your bad habits. This is an interesting one. A friend of mine decided to quit smoking, but rather than go cold turkey, he came up with a gradual approach that worked for him. He decided that he would allow himself two half-hour smoking breaks per day. He put an uncomfortable bench on his back porch, and he allowed himself to smoke from 7-7:30 in the morning, and 8:30-9 in the evening. He could only smoke outside, and he had to sit on this hard bench with legs that were uneven, so there was no way to get comfortable. After a couple weeks, he eliminated the morning smoke time, and within a month he had quit smoking. As a former smoker myself, I know how hard this habit is to break, and I have deep sympathy for those who struggle with quitting.
Whatever your habits are, please know that I don’t say these words from a place of judgment. Far from it. I’ve been there, and I understand that we all have our demons.
I want you to succeed in every aspect of your life, and I invite you to visit the areas where you are not living up to your own standards and see if, perhaps, you can find a way to make the changes that will help keep your Pillars in alignment.
The plan for next month is, well, your plan. Vince Lombardi famously said, “Plan your work and work your plan,” and next month I’ll have some tips and strategies to help make your days more productive, so that you can fully maximize your talents and abilities.
Tom Rubens is the founder of The Accountability Factor. Contact Rubens at (937) 938-0004 or tom@theaccountabilityfactor.com. For more information, visit www.TheAccountabilityFactor.com.
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