This is a short video of me discussing my book, “How to Enjoy Your Job”. It explains why I wrote it and why I think it is important for people to enjoy work. I am passionate about helping people change their working lives, and this video gives you an insight into how to book can help that.
You can get a free chapter and e-workbook here.
Details to buy the book here.
In order to make change happen in the workplace, companies and individuals need to shift their ideas about what work is, and what a job entails.
One company that is trying to enable this change is http://www.justmeans.com/
Why is Just Means important?
The goal of JustMeans is to question the assumptions behind how we have traditionally thought of value. Both how organizations create value and also what we value in our lives. Our goal is to showcase the organizations, ideas, people, and collaborations that are shaping the future of business. In providing a platform where thousands of individuals and companies trade knowledge, we hope to exponentially lower the transaction cost of doing business in the world of social responsibility. Only then will we be able to create the sustainable future and lives that so many of us want.
We call JustMeans the trading floor for social responsibility. In the old days, trading floors were established to drive down the transaction costs of trading commodities and equities. Lower transaction costs meant that more deals could be done, more goods traded. Back then, value was defined by a price. Today, it is as well, but there is much behind that price. If you create a $0.79 pork burrito, does that price accurately reflect the externalities on the environment, labor, or our health care system? In our own neighborhood in Harlem, 125th street is lined with every fast food restaurant where a full meal can be bought for $5. As Amartya Sen has pointed out, the average longevity of a resident of certain poor neighborhoods in New York is lower than that of an average citizen in Bangladesh.
What are the main types of jobs on your site?
JustMeans is different from other platform in that we believe that you can create change in all three sectors (non-profit, for-profit and government). Companies that use JustMeans to find talent include entrepreneurial non-profit organizations, clean technology firms, socially responsible venture capital firms, Fortune 100 companies, small to medium growing businesses, and development project management positions. Most people that use JustMeans have a real skillset, like marketing, finance, or engineering and are looking to implement that skillset to help grow a business or department.
Why did you start Just Means?
After studying economics at the University of Chicago, I was concerned about the lack of focus on externalities/public goods in the curriculum. Value was defined by short term financial gain and this definition shaped my colleagues perception on the role of business in society. A successful business was one that created short term financial value at all costs, a successful career was defined by the size of your paycheck.
As a result, I created StartingBloc, a non-profit organization that educates, empowers and connects emerging leaders to drive positive social change across sectors. The organization started with a $1,000 grant from the University of Chicago and I continued work on it for over four years. The idea was to create a competitive leadership development program for undergraduates and young professionals. In partnership with leading business schools, we showcased the people, organizations and models of change that were driving the fields of social enterprise and sustainability forward. Running the organization was tremendously rewarding but I felt that we needed a place where these ideas could be showcased to many more people.
The companies that use your site include Timbaland, Jumpstart and MBAs without Borders. What do companies like these have in common?
They all share an understanding that there are many groups that companies/organizations should be accountable to beyond just investors/donors. These groups include current and potential employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, communities, journalists (both old and new), and the environment.
Do people who work for a meaningful purpose enjoy their jobs more than other people?
Yes. I think this is just human nature. People are inherently good. If you are working on something that you are passionate about and also has a positive impact on the world, you are going to feel like you are an active participant in shaping your reality. Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, discusses how the lack of meaningful work is one form of oppression. Through work, people become active participants in creating their world. If you do not enjoy your work or find freedom through it, you are essentially oppressing yourself.
What is your number one tip for being fulfilled in your job?
Figure out what you are passionate about. The money will follow.
If you are interested in finding out more, check out http://www.JustMeans.com
Are you a multi-tasker?
I am – and I can’t see myself being any other way as I enjoy the stimulation. But my partner is single-minded and highly focussed on one thing at a time, and this works for him.
I don’t think this is a gender thing – it is based on the way an individual’s mind works.
Multi-tasking is considered a positive attribute in the workplace. In fact, it is demanded of the modern office worker.
You will be interrupted every few minutes by new emails, phone calls, meetings, demands on your time. On top of this, you actually need to perform your job.
Many of my colleagues have two screens at their desk, so they can simultaneously monitor email and work.
If you are not a natural multi-tasker, how do you cope with all these demands on your attention?
A number of books extol the virtues of slowing down, of focussing on quality tasks instead of the constant stream of interruption.
Studies have shown that multi-tasking can be dangerous. If we can’t drive and speak on the phone, how can we email and do the same thing?
If we are constantly moving on from a task, how can we accomplish anything at all?
Should companies encourage multi-tasking or is there a different way?
An alternative would be to have focussed periods of time without interruption that would enable periods of constructive work.
Some suggestions would be:
- Only enable the email servers between 8 – 10am and 3-5pm so people have specific periods of time to respond to email
- Turn on the mobile phone jammer during specific periods so that people are not distracted
- Schedule meetings only in the mornings when people have the most energy
- Have focus rooms where people can go and not be disturbed. Ensure that people get access to these several times a week.
Even these simple ideas are blasphemous in today’s corporate society, but perhaps more “work” would get done this way?
This is a great article on multi-tasking that goes into greater detail on this topic:
http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-myth-of-multitasking
Photo: Flickr Creative Commons TimAilius
“Formal education will earn you a living. Self education will earn you a fortune.” Jim Rohn
This is a fantastic book by Jack Canfield, packed full of insights into “How you can get from where you are to where you want to be”. This is a video review of the book.
Today is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. Solstices occur twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is oriented directly towards or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to reach its northernmost and southernmost extremes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice . It marks approximately the middle of the year and is a time to reflect on what we have achieved so far, and the time we have left in 2008 to achieve everything we wanted to.
Did you set goals in January?
Did you say you would change your job, lose more weight, be nicer to your partner and your family? Did you promise to save and not to spend?
Whether you have already set goals or not, now is a great time to review and set some more. There are a number of important principles to use in your goal setting process, and I have used examples around work, but you can substitute for other areas.
· Write your Main Goal and your smaller goals in simple language that are easy to understand and remember. Word it in a positive way e.g. “I will be….” Or “I will have …”
· Your goal must have a time limit that you state clearly, for example, “I will be promoted to manager at X Company by 1 February 2010”. This gives your mind a defined limit and also means you will pay attention to how far you are getting as time passes.
· Speak your Main Goal and the specific goal you are working on right now either out loud or in your head every day. Speak with confidence. This confidence is important even if you don’t feel it at first, because the more you get used to the words and the ideas, the more you will feel that it will happen.
· Be thankful for the achievement of your goal before you have even achieved it. Know that you will achieve it. Be grateful for the opportunities it will give you and feel the excitement of having achieved it already. This may sound strange but it helps you to grow a confidence you might not have otherwise.
Yes, it does, in the following ways. This is social comment, not judgement….
• People meet their partners at work – both life partners and sexual partners so it is an important place for relationships. Do you work somewhere you think you could meet this person?
• Extra-marital affairs often start at work, happen at work and end at work
• Online dating website RSVP has shown that 23% of people surveyed have lied about their jobs online. 48% of people believed what job they do makes a difference on a date. Women wanted CEOs, tradespeople, musicians or pro-sportsmen. Men wanted actresses, nurses, musicians or personal trainers.
• Job anxiety can affect your sex life – this study in Italy links job stress to premature ejaculation http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/CultureAndMedia/?id=1.0.2161429848
• Self confidence and a positive attitude are attractive to everyone. If you love your job and are enthusiastic about it, people will find you more attractive and enjoy being with you. Do you talk enthusiastically about your job?
Animals are great – I love my cat Shmi and he makes working at my desk a joy. He comes and sits on my lap while I am typing and loves the printer.
It turns out there are actually benefits to having pets in the workplace.
An American Pet Products Manufacturers Association survey of businesses allowing pets in the workplace confirmed the benefits http://www.sfspca.org/advocacy/pets_at_work.shtml:
· 73% of the companies surveyed said pets create a more productive work environment.
· 27% reported a decrease in employee absenteeism.
· 73% indicated pets led to a more productive work environment.
· 96 % said pets created positive work relations.
· 58% of employees stayed late with pets in the office.
This site also outlines “petiquette” (for dogs) including:
· Make sure your dog is socialized to people and other dogs before he goes to work.
· Make sure your personal workspace can comfortably accommodate your dog.
· Avoid squeaky toys and collars that jangle.
· Keep your dog clean and well-groomed.
If you can’t take your pet to work, they can lower your stress levels at home by:
· Pets improve your mood and make you smile
· Pet owners have lower blood pressure
· Dogs encourage you to exercise
· Watching fish swim can be a form of meditation and help you sleep
· Having a pet gives you something to talk about with like-minded people so can help build social networks
· Pets are great listeners and some are very empathetic. Crying will usually elicit a lot of sympathy from your pet.
http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm
A new study in Australia has shown that nearly one in five working women with depression can attribute it to their job and one in eight depressed working men have problems because of work stress.
One key contributor is high demands and low control within a job, with people in lower paid roles particularly at risk.
This is nothing new. Studies like this come out every week. But the attitude of the VicHealth organisation is encouraging. Todd Harper (CEO) states “I think one of the things that we can do is to actually convince workplaces that this information is important, that they actually stand to benefit out of this because in a time of workforce shortage, the most valuable employees are the ones that you already have, keeping them healthy is the priority,” he said.
“Simply increasing the demands on staff comes with consequences and I think workplaces are aware of that, they can start to design their work in a more efficient and productive way.”
Here are some ideas for making the change to efficiency and productivity in the workplace. These will provide more control to employees which should reduce stress levels.
· Make teams self managing and autonomous. Adults are self organising and will achieve given deadlines and clear roles and responsibilities.
· Trust people to do the job without micromanagement. Managers do not need to go to all meetings. Delegate responsibility and make people feel they are valued.
· Back up your team members. Don’t overturn decisions made by others if delegation of authority has occurred. This undermines confidence and displays a lack of trust.
· Give people the opportunity and encouragement to act creatively without fear of recrimination or blame in case of failure.
· Embrace new ideas and reward people for submitting them
· Treat people well and respect individuals for their skills. Don’t try to put people in boxes. Their job description is not the end of who that person is. Give people an opportunity to shine.
As a society we suffer from information overload. Our constant need to stay on top of things puts us at risk of increased amounts of unnecessary stress. Sometimes all that is needed is a little breathing space and some perspective to lighten our load and make us realize the really important things in life. Meditation can be a great way to achieve this!
Meditation need not be a complex undertaking involving instructors and classes and methods; rather it can be as simple as time spent clearing your mind of the clutter of daily living and just allowing yourself to relax for a few minutes. You can meditate while going for a walk, while waiting at the doctor’s office, standing in line to pay bills, or just about anywhere where you can detach yourself from the world for a few minutes.
While meditating, make a conscious effort to relax the muscles in your body and breathe deeply; this will relieve knots in your body caused by tension and anxiety. Try and focus on an event or an object that makes you happy; doing this will divert your attention from the stress-causing factors and help you gain some perspective. You can also use prayer as a form of meditation. There are as many forms of meditation as there are people. You need to find your individual path, and you may try a few different ways before you find one you like.
On a personal note, I have never focussed on meditating before as I have preferred more vigorous exercise. I like to “get things done” and meditation seemed to take up too much time. But I have unconsciously been holding my breath when stressed, and the only way to tackle this has been to try meditation. By focussing consciously on breathing, I am retraining myself to relax. As someone who finds it hard to stay still, I looked for some way to make it easier on myself.
I have started using the Holosync program, available from http://www.centerpointe.com
I am only on Day 5 and I look forward to the 30 minutes I spend blissed out listening to the rain and crystal bowls. You can read all about it at the website, but I am an advocate already! It has brought me focus and much needed respite from my crazy mind. The sounds stop the flow of thoughts and enable me to escape from constant activity. Highly recommended!
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