Feb 10, 2005 05:13 AM
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(Updated Feb 10, 2005 05:13 AM)
I have heard of a concept in economics ?Higher the risks, higher the profits?. Sure, this is a very positive way of looking at it.
But how practical is it? A wise man said ?it is not hard to work hard, but what is more hard is to get the opportunity to work hard?.
It is fairly true. There are a lot of people who are ready to give more than hundred percent but are unable to find a right job.
There is never a yes/no answer. There is nothing called a perfect job.
Life as a consultant is very strange. You are either completely with no time for your family or you have all the time in the world to go for bowling during office hours.
I guess that is how most of the jobs are. Imagine, being a bus conductor in any of the cities in India. I feel stressed looking at him during the peak hours.
In a city like Mumbai, there is nothing like an off-peak. The best way to reduce stress is:
?Delegation: sounds like your manager! Yes! But do this only if you are in a position to do so else all your work will be delegated to your best friend. Then I will see you selling tickets during peak hours.
?To do list: this will give you an approximate idea as to how your day will look like. There is a chance that you will disappointed right from the time you make that list.
?Learn to say ?no?: this is the trick but make it polite and professional. It is an art that will come only with experience. Do things that your role demands unless you have a lot of time in your hands.
?Enrol for a course: this is my style. I was tired of working for that last 1 year (too short but yes). I informed my manager that I?m enrolling myself for a certification and require time to complete my assignments. I see a relaxed life at office for the next 6 months and also I do only the designated work and increasing my career prospect. This is not a long-term solution. Important question is what if you don?t clear your exam? Then you have neither worked nor certified? Oops! I need to know how to get a job in BEST.
?Call your boss for lunch and family functions: would you do that if you were a boss and how would your opinion about that staff change because he treated you with same old pulav six months back.
None of these are going to reduce your workload and stress. If you are young then slog and learn as much as you can. If you are in the middle age then try doing it. If you are old then retire. Folks, no excuses, if you think you have been working hard for a long time convey this to your boss and he will find a solution. He is paid to do this. I feel we need to work hard where we need to, there is no formula. Another practical way is to go and talk to your girlfriend/family so that they can atleast make your life outside work less stressful. If I ever know a perfect formula I shall let you guys know.
Slog it off baby! When the Going gets tough, the tough gets going!
