Career Tips: How to become a bartender

So, you want to be a bartender? Looks like a lot of fun does it? You get to meet a whole lot of interesting people who will tell you all their problems and maybe look up to you as a superior being...maybe even fill your pockets with tips that'll make you rich...and you'll have this wonderful romantic job that you don't have to work at? I mean c'mon, it certainly isn't hard standing behind a bar mixing drinks all night...right?...WRONG!

Bartenders work extremely hard! Not only do you have to take care of the wait staff, keep the beer and liquor stock in check, keep the glasses clean, make sure everyone at the bar has what they need, watch out for the boss (he gets real cranky if his drinks aren't just right), make sure you don't serve someone who's underage or almost as bad...someone who's already way too drunk to be drinking any more, listen to yet another drunk guy talk about what a total loser he is or better yet...talk about what a loser his ex-girlfriend/wife was, and do all this with a smile on your face and always ready to listen and help some poor soul feel better about themselves (whew, that was a mouthful eh?...smile). If you don't stay happy and friendly all the time, guess what?...You really don't make any decent tips! If you've had a bad day...set it aside, get over it!...because if you don't, you'll never make it as a bartender.

It may not be all physical, but believe me, stress is just as demanding on your health. Trust me, this is one heck of a stressful job.

Is it fun? Yes, sometimes it is, but you shouldn't romanticize it. Bartending is a whole lot of work, and the amount of fun you'll have isn't enough to cover up the fact that you really will work harder than you think.

Will you meet a lot of interesting people? Yes, only most of them won't be the nice kind of interesting, most people get a personality change for the worse when they're drinking. For the second part of that question...will they look upon you as a superior being? Yes, some will...but remember, these people are in an altered state, and half won't even remember you the next day. If you keep that in mind, it can be somewhat of an ego boost regardless.

Will your tip jars be overflowing with cash? Nope, not unless you're willing to put up with a whole lot more than most people can take, and even then...you'll never make as much as you're truly worth if your a good bartender. Once most people get really drunk, they either forget to tip or they're too wasted to care.

How do you get in? Well, first of all...if you aren't a very easy going person...find something else, bartending isn't for you. If you think you have what it takes and your willing to basically baby-sit some very strange people...give it a try. Just don't go into thinking it's going to be all fun and games. It's hard work and extremely stressful, but also extremely satisfying at the end of the shift. You've been listening to people tell you all night what a wonderful person you are, so what if they won't remember it the next day...you will!

Once you've finally decided that you can handle all these bad points of bartending, start with the wait staff. This is where you can learn drink names and what's in them, watch the bartenders. They can show you how to layer drinks, teach you about what types of liquors and mixers go in the different mixed drinks, and how to interact with the customers on a bartending level. Believe me, there really is a difference between bartender and customer interaction as apposed to waitress/waiter and customer interaction. Pay attention, it's something you need to learn.

If you've been to bartending school, don't put it on your application. Honestly, there's no substitute for experience in a real bar.

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Top Ten Ways to Find Joy at Work

I set out to write a David Letterman-style Top Ten list about finding joy in the workplace in tough times. But recent revelations about how Letterman found joy at work is not what I’m advocating. His extramarital affairs with subordinates were perverse, dishonest, conspiratorial, and exploitative power-mongering — harmful and possibly illegal. No joke. Jobs are not saved nor enhanced by turning workplaces into sleaze factories.
Exploiting others is definitely not on my list for getting more joy out of work. But enlisting others in a great cause tops it.
In researching my SuperCorp book, I saw joy during what I call “Rubik’s Cube moments,” when everything clicks into place for an uplifting accomplishment. “Rubik’s Cube moments” might come after pulling off a complicated food drive for the homeless; collaborating across functions for a creative presentation that wins a big client; flying technology experts to the rescue after a natural disaster to manage relief supplies; convincing bosses to try job-sharing instead of a layoff; or seeing a product prototype work for the first time. Creating collaborative innovation to save the business (and overcoming frustrating drudgery) was how managers Juliana Azevedo and Tarek Farahat found themselves holding hands with workers and customers at a P&G factory as a new product first came off the line – an iconic “Rubik’s Cube” SuperCorp story.
Although some studies report growing employee cynicism, job satisfaction polls show high satisfaction rates for those still employed. Job security has been the most important factor in an 80% satisfied rate for the past two years, followed by compensation and benefits, in Society for Human Resource Management surveys.
Clearly, people report job satisfaction simply because they get a paycheck. But are they getting joy? OK, maybe work was never all that joyous, and that’s why it’s called “work.” But the post-crash daily grind is grinding some people down to a pitiful pulp. Melodramatic, I know, but I’ve heard sad tales from people in numerous cities during my book tour. People in secure jobs they once liked report working harder with fewer resources just to hold their own, like treading water in an endless swim machine. If current economic trends continue, we might face not just a job-less recovery but a joy-less recovery.
Here are some clues about joy. On a recent Gallup Healthways survey of 100,000 Americans, business owners outrank 10 other occupations in overall well-being, despite working longer hours and earning slightly less, on average, than professionals and managers/executives, who rank second and third. The surprising fourth is farming, fishing, and forestry, despite the lowest income of any group. (Maybe not surprising, given how many leaders unwind by fishing or brush-cutting.) More confined service, clerical, transportation, and manufacturing workers are at the bottom, in the low 40s on Gallup’s 100-point well-being index compared to over 70 for business owners.
Autonomy, influence, and a sense of meaning are associated with lower stress and fewer work-related illnesses, regardless of hours worked. Supervisors are better-off than the supervised, and entrepreneurs are the best-off of all.
This suggests that exerting leadership is the surest route to joy (other than going fishing). The key is setting the agenda and starting the pieces moving towards a purpose-driven goal. If 90% of success in life is just showing up, Monster.com founder Jeff Taylor advises that when you show up, you might as well run the meeting.
So here is my list of top ways to find joy at work.
10. Identify long-term personal purpose. Write a personal mission statement, to review often.
9. Be an entrepreneur from anywhere. Even if you don’t start a business (now), imagine starting a project that will improve your current job, workplace, or community.
8. Discuss the idea informally to find others feeling the same way. Enlist them in the quest. Now they’re counting on you not to let them down. Describe it as an experiment that will benefit others. Incorporate feedback so that others hear their ideas in yours.
7. Get a Big Name to endorse giving it a try.
6. Negotiate out of demands that don’t contribute to the goal. Keep doing what you must to keep your job, but simplify.
5. Find every supporter a task, however small. Show that you’re working for their goals, too.
4. Widen the circle of the informed. Involve people not usually included.
3. Remain positive. Smiling takes fewer muscles than frowning and is contagious. Ignore skeptics unless easily converted.
2. As the bits of the cube start moving, keep communicating and coordinating.
1. Celebrate each “Rubik’s Cube” moment of accomplishment. Share the joy to multiply it.
More jobs with more joy – now that’s an agenda the public should rally behind. Let’s not wait for employers to make changes, necessary as those are. A few good “Rubik’s Cube moments” can keep us going – and influence employers to see why joy matters.

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter

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Tips for finding fun careers working with animals (part 2)

Many fun career opportunities exist for those of us who love animals. Some may require a college degree and years of experience, while the qualifications for others may merely be a love and compassion for animals. Whatever career choice you make will prove to be a fun and rewarding experience. In the world of animals there's no such thing as boring and mundane.

ANIMAL TRAINER
Animal trainer is a broad term, as there are many sub categories involved. You may choose to be an obedience trainer and work with domestic pets. You will not only be involved with behavioral training of the pets, but also teaching owners proper techniques for handling their pet. Training animals who perform in shows, perform tricks, or act in movies is another fun job. There are also jobs for training working animals. These may include dogs that work in law enforcement or guide dogs for the visually impaired. These jobs require a lot of patience and understanding of animal behavior. Good communication skills are essential as you will be interacting with people as well as animals.
ZOO KEEPER
A zoo keeper usually works with a certain type of animal or in a specific section of the zoo. You will be responsible for preparing food and feeding the animals. Pens and cages are cleaned and assessed for any damage. Checking for signs of injury or illness and helping to care for sick animals is another aspect of the job. Often, you may be required to answer questions from visitors or give lectures. You may not need any specific qualifications except experience working with animals. A volunteer program may be a good way to get your foot in the door.
PET GROOMER
This has become a big industry. People are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of routine grooming and also want their pets to look adorable. You may have many duties such as, bathing and drying the animals, cleaning ears, trimming toe nails, brushing the coat and actually clipping the fur. Interaction with owners is required, so good people skills are required. You will get to know the regulars that come in for routine grooming and almost feel as if they are your pets as well.
DOG WALKER
This is a business you can start on your own. Many people are at work all day or are physically incapable of walking their dog. This is where you come in, to offer your services. You'd be surprised how many clients you can build up. You can post adds at shopping malls or anywhere there is a community bulletin board. This is also a great way for you to enjoy

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Get a Widget for this title Tips for finding fun careers working with animals (part 1)

by Dawn R. Cole



If you are interested in working with animals as a career, there are hundreds of opportunities available in today's job market. Aside from the traditional offerings, new "niche businesses" open up every day. Finding a fun job that involves working with animals will require some time, self-reflection, and research.

Obviously, you care about animals and want to spend your life working with them. The first thing you need to do is evaluate your personal likes and dislikes. Do you want to work with small or large animals? Exotic, wild, or domesticated? Cats, dogs, horses, birds, tigers, bears, or marine mammals? Do you like teaching, working outdoors, in the country, traveling, or do you love the water? Once you determine some of the answers to these basic questions, you can begin to narrow down the wide variety of choices and focus your research in a specific area.

Two of your primary resources will be the library and the Internet, but don't be afraid to contact your local veterinarian's office, game warden, zoo, aquarium, shelter, rescue group, or college. There are also professional associations that are excellent sources of career information. Your local employment office or career center can also be a good resource for local and state job information. Looking through the phone book's Yellow Pages, under "animal or pet services, zoos, aquariums, shelters, etc." will offer you another source of potential contacts. Most business owners, trainers, zoo personnel, rescue groups, clinics, or vet offices would be happy to chat with you about possible careers in this field or allow you to become a volunteer at their facility and gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

TRADITIONAL JOBS:

* Veterinarian, vet assistant, technician, or technologist.
* Shelter, kennel, or rescue personnel.
* Animal control officers.
* Pet-care/store business owner.
* Pet groomer, handler, dog walker or pet sitter.
* Animal trainers: dogs, horses, or marine mammals.
* Animal behaviorist.
* Animal adoption counselor.
* Humane educator or officer.
* Farmer or rancher.
* Game warden or park ranger.
* Wildlife manager.
* Zoo or aquarium personnel.
* Jockey or dog/cat show personnel.

SOME NON-TRADITIONAL JOBS:

* Pet hotel owner.
* Pet bakery shop owner.
* Doggie and kitty daycare business.
* Pet photographer.
* Wildlife photographer.
* Working with organizations, like Helping Hands that provide animal assistants to the physically challenged.
* Designing adaptive devices for disabled animals.

We can't forget the scientific options, if you are so inclined, involving animal health technology, biological, zoological, research, and biomedical careers, or the amusement park opportunities, like Sea World and Disney World.

These examples are only a few of the career choices available for anyone contemplating a career involving the animal kingdom. Make sure that you understand that this type of work is not always glamorous or safe. There is a very good chance you will get dirty at some point, and run the risk of being scratched, kicked, or bitten, at least once, during your career.

A good starting point, to get an idea of the training requirements, job outlook, and earning potential for specific jobs, can be found on-line at: www.bls.gov/oco. (The handbook is also available at most libraries.) The publication also provides updated, quarterly articles on a variety of current, animal-related work topics.

If you have a respect and love for animals, working with them can be a very rewarding, fulfilling, and a fun career path, no matter which one you choose.

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24 Tips for being happy at work

by Gretchen Rubin

Of course, being happy at work depends mostly on how much you like your job. But there are also smaller steps that can boost your happiness, as well.

Your work space:

• Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright.
• Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly. (A friend works at Goldman Sachs, where they have a person who specializes in this, zoikes!)
• Sit up straight—every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
• Think about how your space could be more pleasant. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help stay organized? Could you replace a hideous lamp with something more attractive?
• Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, because it looks so preposterous, but it’s really much more comfortable.
• Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day will mean a weight gain five pounds by year’s end.
• Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.

Your day:

• Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.
• Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
• When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to something just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
• Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing a task that’s really someone else’s job?
• Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
• Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
• Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
• Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.
• Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.

Your colleagues:

• Although some people believe it’s best to keep work life and personal life separate, and therefore avoid making friends with colleagues, for most people, having strong friendships makes work more fun. Science supports this: having close relationships is essential to happiness, strengthens the immune system, and reduces anxiety.
• If you work alone, take time to mix with other people. Socializing boosts the moods of introverts, as well as extroverts.
• Each week, walk around your company and introduce yourself to a few people you don’t know each week. You’ll feel more comfortable socially, plus knowing more people facilitates work flow.
• If a colleague gets under your skin, figure out why. I used to work with a guy who enraged me at every meeting. When I started analyzing his techniques, I became fascinated with the brilliance of his subtle put-downs.
• A friend took a job where she knew she’d have a difficult boss. From the beginning, she told herself, “There is only love.” She doesn’t allow herself to criticize her boss, even in her own mind, and won’t listen to anyone else’s criticism. She says it’s tough to do, but it has made her job far easier.
• Say “Good morning” to everyone.
• Periodically, have lunch with co-workers. This can be a time to talk about personal life, and so become better friends, or to talk about work, so that everyone has a bigger picture of what’s going on in the office—both good results.
• Lighten up.

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Twelve Tips to Create a Happier (and More Productive) Workplace.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

This Wednesday: 12 tips to create a happier (and more productive) workplace.

I just finished First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. I’d heard about it for years, but I didn’t actually pick up a copy until a smart friend told me to read it.

The authors did a study with the Gallup Organization to find a way, among other things, to measure strong workplaces, ones that would attract and retain the most productive employees.

They came up with a list of twelve questions, where, if employees answered “yes” and were happier in their workplaces, they tended to work in business units with higher levels of productivity, profit, retention, and customer satisfaction – which shows that there is a link between how employees feel and how they perform.

This is a good list to use if you’re a manager who wants to create a happier and more productive work environment, or if you’re a job seeker/holder who wants criteria by which to judge a workplace.

Also, if you’re not happy at work, and you’re trying to Identify the problem, take a look at this list. It suggests strategies for improving your situation. Not everything is within your control, of course, but perhaps you could identify for your boss what you need to change #2 from “no” to “yes” or to shift responsibilities so you get #3. Or can you make an effort to gain #10?

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work? [But don’t have an office affair!]
11. In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

The first six questions have the strongest links to business outcomes (productivity, profitability, retention, and customer satisfaction).

I was also interested to see that the study suggested that people’s opinions of their workplaces are more determined by their immediate manager than by the overall company. It was their direct manager – not money, benefits, perks, or a charismatic leader at the top – that was the critical element for people.

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Eighteen Tips for “Little Things” to Boost Your Happiness at the Office.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

This Wednesday: 18 tips for “little things” to boost your happiness at work.
Your happiness at work will depend mostly, of course, on how much you like your job and your co-workers. But, as Samuel Johnson observed, “It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible.”
Here are some little things to consider that have helped me find more happiness at work. A few minor adjustments can give a real boost in mood and comfort. Even if these suggestions don't relate directly to your particular job, you might be able to adapt the strategy for your workplace.

Your work space:

1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright.
2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly. (A friend works at a big company where they have a person who specializes in this task!)
3. Sit up straight and lower your shoulders—every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
4. Think about how your space could be more pleasant. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help stay organized? Could you replace that hideous lamp?
5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, because it looks so preposterous, but it’s really much more comfortable, and it lets me walk around when I'm on the phone, which boosts my energy. I also initially resisted the advice to…
6. Get additional monitors. I now have three monitors, and they make me so happy! The ability to have multiple pages up at once saves me a huge amount of time. (Back to #1: after I got my three monitors, I noticed that my face hurt. I finally realized that my three monitors were all set to maximum brightness, so I’d been squinting all day. Turning down the brightness levels fixed the problem.)
6. Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day will mean a weight gain five pounds by year’s end.
7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I usually do this specifically because I need the shot of the wonderful calm it brings.
Your day:

8. Try never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.
9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to something just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
11. Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone or with colleagues, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing a task that’s really someone else’s job?
12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
13. Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
14. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
15. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.
16. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.
17. This may be the hardest: figure out a way to control technology so you don’t feel distracted and hunted. Turn off your email; turn off your phone; disconnect from the internet; figure out a way to set limits so you can concentrate when you need to, and disengage when you need to. Technology is a good servant but a bad master.
18. Be nice to your co-workers. This is the right way to behave, and it will also serve your best interests, if you need that justification. In situation evocation, for example, we spark a response from people that reinforces a tendency we already have — for example, if I act irritable all the time, the people around me are probably going to treat me with less patience and helpfulness, which will, in turn, stoke my irritability.
What else? What are some other "little things" to boost happiness at work?

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Sixteen Tips for Feeling Happier at Work.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Sixteen tips for being happier at work.
Being happy at work is, of course, quite related to how much you like your job, but there are small steps you can take to boost your mood. Maintaining the comfort of your body, sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day, using your time wisely – a little thought can mean a lot more happiness at work.
As Samuel Johnson observed, “It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible.”

Your work space:
1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright. When I got my three monitors (an investment which makes me ecstatically happy, by the way), I had to turn down their brightness levels because the glare was terrible.
2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.
3. Sit up straight — every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
4. Indulge in a modest spulrge, i.e., consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better?
5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, but it’s really much more comfortable. The phone headset is like the rolling suitcase: yes, you look a little silly, but it makes life a lot easier.
6. Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day might mean a weight gain of five pounds by year’s end. My husband used to work at an office that kept a kitchen fully stocked with treats. When he switched jobs, he dropped about ten pounds, which actually had me a little worried until we figured out the reason.
7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.
Your day:
8. Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.
9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to a task just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
11. Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing tasks that are really someone else’s job?
12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
13. Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
14. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
15. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.
16. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.

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How to Find a Fun Job

Everyone has worked his share of boring and unrewarding jobs. After a few years in a dull career, you may start to consider looking for a fun job. A fun job should be a profession that you find rewarding and also allows you to pay the bills.

Instructions

1.

Step 1

Consider your interests. A big part of finding a fun job is thinking about what type of career will make you happy. For example, if you love to travel, you could get a job as a travel agent. Party-lovers might consider a career as a wedding planner.

2.

Step 2

Take a career quiz. Career quizzes uses your strengths and interests to pair you up with a job that you are likely to find enjoyable. Career quizzes are available online and offered through campus career services.

3.

Step 3

Apply for jobs at places that have a fun atmosphere. An easy way to find a fun job is to look at the places that you consider entertaining. If there is a theme park or boardwalk in your area, look for a job there.

4.

Step 4

Get a job on a cruise ship. Working on a cruise ship is a lot of fun and it also gives you a chance to travel. Look on a cruise line's website to see which openings are currently available.

5.

Step 5

Look through the classifieds to find a fun job. Browse though your newspaper or an online job search engine to get an idea of what jobs appeal to you.

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20 Tips to Become More Productive and Happy at Work - Bagian 2

Pada bagian pertama , telah dibahas 10 tips praktis bagaimana Anda bisa tetap produktif ditempat kerja, sekaligus menikmati tugas-tugas Anda. Pada tulisan ini kembali kami sajikan 10 tips praktis yang selanjutnya.

11. Tetap fokus , ketika konflik terjadi.

Tetap fokus pada pencapaian target Anda. Tetap melangkah maju! Jangan pusingkan “siapa yang benar, siapa yang salah, siapa yang menang, siapa yang kalah”. Tinggalkan semua “sampah” ini, tetap bergerak maju. Jangan ijinkan “timbunan sampah” ini mengganjal perjalanan Anda.

12. Secara rutin, ambil waktu untuk ”meliburkan” diri Anda.

Lakukan sesuatu yang sehat yang belum pernah Anda lakukan. Pergi ke tempat yang belum Anda kunjungi. Cicipi makanan yang belum pernah Anda coba. Alami sesuatu yang berbeda sama sekali. Warnai hidup Anda dengan berbagai warna. Jangan gunakan warna kehidupan yang itu-itu saja! Semua ini akan menyegarkan kembali jiwa dan pikiran Anda.

13. Minta masukan positif.

Datangi atasan Anda, atau rekan kerja Anda atau bahkan bawahan Anda. Tanyakan kepada dia, hal-hal positif apa saja yang telah lakukan. Kemajuan-kemajuan apa saja yang telah Anda kerjakan. Jangan pusingkan negative feedback dulu. Positive feedback akan memberikan kepada Anda rasa percaya diri yang lebih tinggi dan pada akhirnya munculkan rasa kepuasan terhadap prestasi Anda.

14. Proaktif untuk kerja sama.

Jangan takut untuk berinisiatif kerja sama dengan rekan kerja lainnya. Jangan menunggu diperintah atasan untuk “connect” dengan orang lain. Kreatifitas seringkali akan muncul saat kita kolaborasi dengan orang lain. Dan hal ini akan memunculkan semangat.

15. Prinsip potong buah nangka

Untuk menikmati buah nangka, Anda harus belah-belah buah nangka besar yang utuh ,menjadi potongan-potongan yang lebih kecil, dan baru kemudian Anda bisa mengambil buahnya untuk dinikmati. Sama halnya, bila Anda mendapatkan masalah, pilah-pilah masalah itu menjadi potongan masalah yang kecil-kecil, lalu selesaikan satu persatu

16. Minta waktu

Bila Anda ditanya suatu pertanyaan berat yang tidak bisa Anda jawab, mintalah waktu untuk mencari jawabannya. Cari waktu untuk bertanya, riset di internet, tanya ahlinya. Praktisnya, katakan,”Saya akan kembali nanti dengan jawabannya”. Hal ini akan menghindari Anda terjerumus kepada jawaban yang Anda akan sesali.

17. Latihan untuk buang kebiasaan negatif

Seminggu sekali, pikirkan secara khusus, satu kebiasaan buruk yang Anda mau buang pada minggu ini dan seterusnya. Misalnya Anda mau latihan membuang kebiasaan menunda. Tuliskan ”STOP MENUNDA” di post-it-note. Tempelkan di tempat yang sering Anda lihat, sebagai alat pengingat, Buat komitmen untuk laksanakan hari itu juga.

18. Belajar sesuatu dari kritikan orang lain.

Bila Anda mendapatkan kritikan dari orang lain, sekalipun orang yang paling Anda benci, jangan cepat-cepat menangkis (defense), Seringkali isi kritikan itu adalah sesuatu yang benar tentang diri Anda. Dengarkan – simak dengan baik – putuskan langkah positif apa yang perlu dilakukan untuk memperbaiki diri

19. Selalu beradaptasi terhadap perubahan

Daya beradaptasi adalah ”survival skill” paling utama didalam kehidupan. Orang yang tidak beradaptasi pada berbagai perubahan, akan mudah stress dan tertinggal. Bersikap terbuka dan selalu mau belajar pada hal-hal baru. Lihatlah perubahan sebagai hal yang menyenangkan dan sebagai obat rasa jenuh terhadap rutinitas yang sama

20. Milikilah target untuk meningkatkan ketrampilan terus menerus.

Jangan lupa, tidak peduli Anda kerja pada orang lain atau bisnis Anda sendiri, harga Anda tergantung pada kualitas keterampilan yang Anda jual. Semakin tinggi kualitas ketrampilan Anda, semakin ”mahal” harga Anda. Oleh karena itu, tingkatkan terus menerus ”barang dagangan Anda

Freddy Liong, MBA, CBA - Success@Work book writer & Coach

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

20 Tips to Become More Productive and Happy at Work - Bagian 1

Apakah Anda terjebak pada pola kerja yang sangat membosankan, yang membuat Anda menjadi jenuh dan tidak bahagia dengan pekerjaan Anda saat ini? Apakah Anda ingin lebih produktif dan mendapat kepuasan dalam pekerjaan Anda?

Berikut ini adalah beberapa tips untuk memperbaiki pola pikir, rutinitas dan gaya kerja Anda. Ikuti berbagai tips ini, dan Anda akan melihat perubahan yang terjadi!

1. Buatlah perencanaan

Mulailah hari Anda dengan memberikan ekstra waktu 15 menit setiap hari untuk menyusun perencanaan. Tuliskan 1 s/d 3 hal-hal yang terpenting yang harus Anda lakukan hari ini. Pikirkan 3 prioritas hari ini yang menunjang kearah target Anda. Dan jangan lupa, orang yang mudah jenuh dan bosan adalah orang yang tidak memiliki "peta kehidupan" yang jelas. Jadi buatlah "goal setting" Anda, baik jangka pendek maupun jangka panjang.

2. Buatlah "Power Question"

Tuliskan di sebuah "post-it-note" atau diselembar kertas, tulisan "Apakah saya sudah gunakan waktu saya dengan maksimal hari ini?" Tulisan pertanyaan ini akan menolong pikiran Anda untuk bertindak produktif dan keluar dari lingkaran malas-malasan.

3. Jangan jadi "Perfeksionis"

Seorang perfeksionis tidak akan pernah puas dengan apa yang dilakukan hari ini. Selalu saja ada kesalahan, ada problem dan ada hal yang tidak beres dengan tugas hari ini. Anda tidak bisa bertindak seperti Tuhan yang bisa menyelesaikan segala sesuatu dengan sempurna. Terimalah kekurangan yang terjadi. Yang penting, hal-hal utama sudah bisa terselesaikan.

4. Jangan langsung cek email

Kecuali apabila memang tugas Anda mengharuskan mengecek email dari menit ke menit, maka letakan urusan email setelah tugas yang paling penting bisa diselesaikan. Sadarkah Anda, berapa banyak orang yang terjebak dengan email dan berlama-lama didepan komputer dan melakukan hal-hal yang bukan prioritas utama?

5. Take a break

Setiap 1 - 2 jam berkonsentrasi didepan komputer atau tenggelam dengan segala macam analisa, ada baiknya bila Anda istirahat sejenak barang 10 - 15 menit. Hal ini akan memulihkan konsentrasi dan fisik Anda kembali .

6. Delegasi atau hapus

Delegasikan segala tugas-tugas yang "remeh" kepada staff Anda ( bila ada ). Fokus & prioritas pada tugas-tugas utama dan yang lebih penting. Bila perlu hapus segala kegiatan yang tidak menunjang target Anda hari ini, misalnya ngegosip, menjawab telpon tawaran kartu kredit, dsb.

7. Putuskan untuk selalu "happy", antusias, selalu mengucap syukur dan berpikiran positif

Menjadi sosok professional yang produktif dan kompetitif, tidak berarti Anda harus serius setiap saat. Buat keputusan untuk "happy all the time" dan latihan berespon positif walau sedang "puyeng 7 keliling". Hindari percakapan negatif yang akan meruntuhkan semangat Anda.

8. Menerima & memahami rekan kerja yang negatif

Orang yang bersikap dan berpikiran negatif, biasanya sedang mengalami masalah atau memiliki latar belakang yang kurang menyenangkan. Belajar untuk memahami mereka. Ketika Anda menjumpai orang yang menyebalkan, Anda hanya memiliki 2 pilihan, yaitu menjadi emosi dan tertular negatif atau tetapkan dalam pikiran Anda,"Dia pasti sedang mengalami masalah berat, saya akan coba untuk memotivasi dia". Intinya, Anda mau tersedot sikap negatif dia, atau Anda mau menebar aura positif kepada dia. Anda yang pilih!

9. Setahap demi setahap , bila Anda sedang banyak masalah

"Go slow!" Jangan terburu nafsu. Selesaikan satu persatu. Seperti melerai benang kusut, lakukan setahap demi setahap. Cari seseorang ( yang berpikiran positif ) untuk bisa bagi cerita masalah Anda. Sekali lagi, jauhi si "negative thinker" dan tukang gossip.

10. Jangan coba menggeser "gunung"

Pernah alami hal seperti ini ? Deadline ketat, boss yang "menyebalkan", pelanggan yang kasar, rekan kerja yang egois, computer yang "lemot" ( lambat ). Hadapi saja semua nya dengan mengucap syukur, jangan coba-coba punya keinginan untuk mengubah "gunung" yang tidak bisa digeser. Cari jalan lain, putar, u-turn, intinya, tujuan tetap harus tercapai. Jangan merengek dan mengeluh dikaki "gunung" dan buang-buang waktu!

Freddy Liong, MBA, CBA - Success@Work book writer & Coach

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy