It’s probably overly judgmental of me to note but: don’t you think there are too many frantic, fake people in the workplace? I run across people every day it seems who have a face for you and probably go home revealing another. Why can’t people be themselves? In my career I have learned that being frantic and putting a happy face only gets you so far. Why not try being quieter and more of a listener? If you blog for a side or full career as I do, an example might be reading blogs of friends you have been neglecting. Your “grandiose” product will wait. ;) Success at work can come through humility.
Eventually, people don’t want to be around you for your frantic profile. You might think you are doing the right things working late hours to get ahead but in reality you are only distancing yourself from the real leaders who are not putting on a face. They don’t respect workaholics. Here’s a crazy idea from the Funny Farm: use your sick days!
I actually have made real advances in my career by simply doing nothing extra. Now, wait just a minute … that sounds really bad. You must always do things at work and strive to do them well. At the same time, you should go home when it’s time to call it a day . The real rewards in life come to those who make their sense of calm and mental well-being a #1 priority. You don’t want people noticing you because you are manic. You want them to observe you over time being calm, cool and collected at work. Eventually they will call on you to solve the problems of work. Of course, we all know that pays better! My dad told me when I was about 18:
Work a lot for a little pay when you are young and you will work less for a lot of pay when you get older.
I have found this to be true. I might also alter it this way:
Do your work well and more will seek you!
Instead of finding a way to impress the boss, find a way to keep your head calm, cool, and collected at work. (Test it with a blood pressure monitor, it’s that important) Create a mantra to remember throught the day and help you focus. She/he will notice.
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Thanks for the shout out, Damien :D You bring a lot of wisdom to this post, as usual.
I too wish people would just relax, let go a bit more and be, well, real. I think part of the reason I sometimes struggle with social things is just that – that people are not being genuine.
Work is great but it’s only one part of the package ‘eh. Taking time to step back and really experience all that can’t hurt.
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You’re welcome. I want to tell the world: “It’s your head stupid.” Hopefully some, like you, will keep listening.
On that note, back to school and back to work!
While I rarely get a vacation as a student, I do find that September, is one of the hectic months, and labor day always marks the last day of summer for me.
I try to make sure that I get a break during the sunny months, even if it means I leave early every friday, otherwise I can’t make it through the cold and snowy months. I just burn out. I think that manic may appear disorganized and flaky, but burned out and depressed is even worse – and rarely can you go to manic without depression. People often forget that when they push themselves in one direction or another, there is always a consequence, like a feedback loop in chemistry or on a thermostat. People are happier when things are left in a range of consistency. Great article – you always have such great and time-appropriate posts.
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Thank you. I like how you talked about SETTING time away to be relaxed. Everyone really needs to be responsible to their own mind and do that. Overworking is highly overrated, even by bosses.
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Calm, Cool, and Collected to Get Ahead?
[...] from the Funny Farm Calm, Cool, and Collected to Get Ahead? – I have learned that being frantic and putting a happy face only gets you so far. Why not try [...]