From the past year or so, work for me has been extremely hectic and at the same extremely stressful in terms of meeting milestones, delivery, deployments and to add all of above, DEAL WITH CHANGE! Finally after one year of slogging out, would ike to specifically share my experience.
Stay focused on one project at a time - Most of the time, I have several things that I am trying to do at once. I could be writing an email and at the same time I am thinking about an upcoming meeting. This split distraction puts strain on my focus and affects the quality of my work.
Depending on the task, I may set the timer for 30 minutes and try to knock the work out in that time frame. If I need more time, I let the timer beep at me and then I reset it for the appropriate amount of time. This allows me to focus on this one task.
Break the project down into tiny chunks - There are days when I feel that the length of tasks in my list would scare the hell out of someone! And then instead of getting the whole stuff done, my brain often shuts down in response to the overwhelming list. One thing that does help me is take a quick quick round outside my office and gulp in lots of water! I then break down my first big task into twenty minute chunks. When the project seems more manageable, I pick an easier 20 minute chunk and accomplish it. By doing this I boost my confidence and get my emotions back into a positive state.
Take a weird break - When I say weird, I mean here do something that you have never done before like pull someone leg, go for a walk, play TT, etc. There are so many ways we can pull ourselves out of a stressful state if we just take a moment to be creative.
Work for yourself - Many a times, when the project is too long, half way through I loose the motivation to accomplish the same. Then I try to figure of if the company's goals are aligned to my need. A constant watch at the same helps me not deviate and keeps me motivated.
Think only about the positives - I am sure it is much easier said than done but when going through a stressful phase, try to think about the positives and review them. By shifting my perspective to the positive, I’m able to let go of my negative thinking cycle and realign myself with the good things in my life.
Cope up with change as fast as possible - A change of any form like people leaving, organizational structure change, etc also adds to the stress levels. The best way to deal with this is to accept the change as soon as possible. This makes sure that it pinches you less and hence less stress.
And I personally believe that most of the work happiness comes from our relationship with ourselves!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
My experience with leaders
Over the past years, I have worked with a good number of people in various fields. We can distinctly draw a pattern or pen down personality traits of what makes one a effective leader.
Effective leaders are joyous and fun. One of the main reasons they are good leaders is because they have eager followers. People like to follow leaders who are fun and who demonstrate obvious joy in their lives. After all, who wants to follow a grumpy and joyless leader?
Effective leaders have a strong work ethic. In fact, one of the greatest challenges of these leaders is maintaining balance. They are prone to be on the task 24/7.
Effective leaders are self-aware. They are able to see their strengths and weaknesses with a great deal of objectivity. They seek out critical evaluations from people they trust to tell them the truth. Because they are self-aware, they are constantly seeking to improve.
Effective leaders take initiative. These leaders do not need to be prodded to complete a task. To the contrary, they go well beyond others’ expectation. Good managers complete an assigned task. But good leaders are regularly envisioning a better way and better strategy.
Effective leaders love people. Some effective leaders are extroverts; they are energized when they are around people. Other effective leaders are introverts. Put them in a crowd sharing small talk, and they will be drained by the end of the day. But both types of leaders have a love for people. They truly care about others.
Effective leaders are tenacious. You rarely hear about them giving up. While others may view a setback as failure, the effective leaders see it as an opportunity to move in another direction.
But the good news is one can easily develop all of these skills. For some it may just come naturally but for some they might have to work on the same.
Effective leaders are joyous and fun. One of the main reasons they are good leaders is because they have eager followers. People like to follow leaders who are fun and who demonstrate obvious joy in their lives. After all, who wants to follow a grumpy and joyless leader?
Effective leaders have a strong work ethic. In fact, one of the greatest challenges of these leaders is maintaining balance. They are prone to be on the task 24/7.
Effective leaders are self-aware. They are able to see their strengths and weaknesses with a great deal of objectivity. They seek out critical evaluations from people they trust to tell them the truth. Because they are self-aware, they are constantly seeking to improve.
Effective leaders take initiative. These leaders do not need to be prodded to complete a task. To the contrary, they go well beyond others’ expectation. Good managers complete an assigned task. But good leaders are regularly envisioning a better way and better strategy.
Effective leaders love people. Some effective leaders are extroverts; they are energized when they are around people. Other effective leaders are introverts. Put them in a crowd sharing small talk, and they will be drained by the end of the day. But both types of leaders have a love for people. They truly care about others.
Effective leaders are tenacious. You rarely hear about them giving up. While others may view a setback as failure, the effective leaders see it as an opportunity to move in another direction.
But the good news is one can easily develop all of these skills. For some it may just come naturally but for some they might have to work on the same.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Mother's Day Mom
As someone has rightly said "Since God cannot reach everywhere, he created a MOTHER". Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!
Since, I am the eldest in the family, I had the privilege of having the first emotional attachment with you and spending the most time with you. Few incidences that completely overwhelm me are my important years to education that is 10th and 12th. I still remember you at that age taking care of me, milkshakes, water, waking up just to wake me up, in your way telling me "Don't worry Purwa, we are sure that you will do well!". You always gave me the liberty to make my own decisions and trusted me. There are many a times that I did take you for granted and I apologize for that. In-spite of surely not being the best daughter, you always stood by me and never left me alone!
In my Engineering, you had gained complete confidence in me that I would manage my studies with all other things I did very well. You told me in your own way that these are just few years before you get married, so make the most of it now.
Then when I got married, I just hate the memories of parting away with you. I could not see myself without you. I always had a shoulder to cry but when got married, I suddenly found myself all alone. But you gave me the strength and silently told me to take control of my life.
When I entered motherhood, you were the ONLY one who stood by me in all the ups and downs we faced while bringing up Siya. I hate to give myself and Vipul alone the credit for bringing her up. She is this way because she is with you. Me and Vipul can work and enjoy our lives comfortably only because we know that Siya is in safe hands. You never objected the fact that because of just being there for Siya, you would be giving up a good bit of your personal life!
8th Oct, 2009 was the worst and the best day of my life ever. I have never got so scared ever as I did that day when you underwent a by-pass and was in a 11hr long operation. When I saw you after the surgery, I just could not see you in pain. It is very difficult to see a person who has always been a part of my pain, in so much pain! I thank God for this day too because it is because of him that I have not lost my PILLAR. Thank You God.
I thank God everyday for the wonderful relationship we share. All my dreams and hopes are for you, and though you might not always see the way I do things now, I know you always trust me to do my best. You know, whenever I feel down and sad, I still go to our own happy place. I remember you talking to me softly and telling me everything’s going to be fine. That’s how much I value your trust in me, Mom. I know you have faith in me so I do my best to get through all my troubles with you as my model of strength. Even when we’re apart, believe me when I say you will always be in my heart. I will never forget the way you held me when I thought I had no one to turn to. Mom, I cannot thank you enough for being there for me.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY AGAIN MOM!!!
Since, I am the eldest in the family, I had the privilege of having the first emotional attachment with you and spending the most time with you. Few incidences that completely overwhelm me are my important years to education that is 10th and 12th. I still remember you at that age taking care of me, milkshakes, water, waking up just to wake me up, in your way telling me "Don't worry Purwa, we are sure that you will do well!". You always gave me the liberty to make my own decisions and trusted me. There are many a times that I did take you for granted and I apologize for that. In-spite of surely not being the best daughter, you always stood by me and never left me alone!
In my Engineering, you had gained complete confidence in me that I would manage my studies with all other things I did very well. You told me in your own way that these are just few years before you get married, so make the most of it now.
Then when I got married, I just hate the memories of parting away with you. I could not see myself without you. I always had a shoulder to cry but when got married, I suddenly found myself all alone. But you gave me the strength and silently told me to take control of my life.
When I entered motherhood, you were the ONLY one who stood by me in all the ups and downs we faced while bringing up Siya. I hate to give myself and Vipul alone the credit for bringing her up. She is this way because she is with you. Me and Vipul can work and enjoy our lives comfortably only because we know that Siya is in safe hands. You never objected the fact that because of just being there for Siya, you would be giving up a good bit of your personal life!
8th Oct, 2009 was the worst and the best day of my life ever. I have never got so scared ever as I did that day when you underwent a by-pass and was in a 11hr long operation. When I saw you after the surgery, I just could not see you in pain. It is very difficult to see a person who has always been a part of my pain, in so much pain! I thank God for this day too because it is because of him that I have not lost my PILLAR. Thank You God.
I thank God everyday for the wonderful relationship we share. All my dreams and hopes are for you, and though you might not always see the way I do things now, I know you always trust me to do my best. You know, whenever I feel down and sad, I still go to our own happy place. I remember you talking to me softly and telling me everything’s going to be fine. That’s how much I value your trust in me, Mom. I know you have faith in me so I do my best to get through all my troubles with you as my model of strength. Even when we’re apart, believe me when I say you will always be in my heart. I will never forget the way you held me when I thought I had no one to turn to. Mom, I cannot thank you enough for being there for me.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY AGAIN MOM!!!
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