| You've no doubt run into that strange | | | | tasks that really matter. Simple time |
| species, the "workis contentis" - it can be | | | | management strategies will allow you to feel |
| found in almost every organization. They're | | | | a greater sense of accomplishment and |
| the creatures who arrive at work every day | | | | control, which in turn help you love your |
| with a smile on their faces, raring to tackle | | | | job. |
| any challenge that crosses their desk. They | | | | |
| sit in an office, just as you do. They | | | | 5. Do what you like and delegate what you |
| receive a paycheck, just as you. But | | | | don't like. This boils down to focusing on |
| something about them is so radically | | | | your strengths. No one is good at everything; |
| different. | | | | we are all born with individual talents. |
| | | | Spend your work day doing what you love and |
| THEY ACTUALLY LOVE THEIR JOB! | | | | your job won't even feel like "work." If you |
| | | | work on a team, have open conversations about |
| You can see it in the way they walk; you can | | | | how the members can cooperate and collaborate |
| see it in their daily activities and you can | | | | to share responsibilities based on the |
| certainly see it in their productivity and | | | | individuals' strengths. Try to determine how |
| the quality of their work. Why do they thrive | | | | each person can be most valuable to the |
| while others languish? The difference is they | | | | achievement of the team's and the |
| have found a way to live the life they love. | | | | organization's overall objectives. |
| And guess what? You can learn to do the same. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Clean it up. Disorganization is one of the |
| Here are 7½ secrets to living a life you | | | | biggest causes of dissatisfaction at work and |
| love: | | | | at home. Clutter contributes greatly to |
| | | | stress. If you spend many minutes or even |
| 1. Be true to your purpose. Take time to | | | | hours each day locating documents, files, |
| identify your strengths and passions. What | | | | e-mails and so on, your productivity will |
| makes your heart beat faster, your eyes light | | | | suffer. Clutter translates to being out of |
| up with enthusiasm? Do you thrive as a | | | | control; it makes you feel defeated before |
| leader? A listener? An encourager? An | | | | you even start. Make it a top priority to |
| innovator? An implementer? Complete the | | | | deal with everything that crosses your |
| following statement: "My purpose in life | | | | desk-either deal with it, file it or toss it. |
| is..." Once you are able to align your | | | | Believe it-all that mess stands between you |
| passions with your daily activities, your | | | | and a better work experience. |
| productivity and level of fulfillment at work | | | | |
| will soar. | | | | 7. Make a decision to embrace change. When |
| | | | was the last time you mastered a new skill? |
| 2. Talk it over. Have an honest conversation | | | | Consider going back to school or taking a |
| with your supervisor and co-workers. Host a | | | | training course. The more you know the more |
| discussion about the organization's mission | | | | valuable you will become, not only to your |
| and vision. Is it possible you have not fully | | | | company but in your own heart as well. If you |
| understood the real purpose and importance of | | | | want to reignite your passion for work, raise |
| your job? Once you recognize how your talents | | | | the bar on what you expect of yourself. |
| and skills add value to the organization, you | | | | Arrive at the office 15 minutes early to give |
| may quickly regain respect for your work and | | | | yourself time to read professional journals |
| feel a renewed sense of purpose. | | | | and trade magazines to keep up with what is |
| | | | going on in your business. When you read |
| 3. Reestablish written priorities and | | | | about a superstar in your industry, contact |
| boundaries for your life. If you truly want | | | | him or her. Create and maintain a network of |
| to live a life you love you must first | | | | people with whom you can exchange information |
| determine which parts of life you value most. | | | | and advice. Find out who is on the cutting |
| What is most important to you? Is it your | | | | edge in your industry and ask him or her to |
| family, health, financial security, faith, | | | | be your mentor. Consider becoming a mentor to |
| hobbies, and so forth? When was the last time | | | | someone just starting out in your business. |
| you sat down and created a written list of | | | | |
| your priorities? Often we allow some parts of | | | | 7½. Appreciate what you've got. Create one |
| our life to squeeze out our favorite | | | | more list: write down 10 things you actually |
| activities. Making a written list will help | | | | love about your job. Think back to your first |
| you reestablish priorities that, while | | | | day at your company. What were you most |
| important to you, have somehow fallen by the | | | | excited about? How can you recapture that |
| wayside. | | | | enthusiasm? Your job may not be perfect, but |
| | | | like much of life, it's all about what you |
| 4. Reclaim your day. How much of your time | | | | make of it. Focus on the positive and try to |
| each day is spent on accomplishment and | | | | change the negative. |
| productivity? How much time is wasted on | | | | |
| unproductive matters? Time to make another | | | | The moral of the story? When you love life |
| list: write down all of the projects you need | | | | first, you will love everything that comes |
| to complete, then rank each numerically | | | | with it-including your job. |
| according to its importance. Focus on the | | | | |