Archive for June, 2009
You are currently browsing the AnneOffner.com blog archives for June, 2009.
25
Jun
2009
New job - are you ready?
Believe it or not I know quite a few people who have started new jobs in the past few months. I also know a good number of folks who have been downsized and are still looking for a job, but it’s good to see some positive movement in this slow economy. We all react a little differently to the first day on a new job. Most of us probably experience some degree of anxiety or uncertainty about what we’ve just signed up to do. I think it’s often helpful to do some preparation upfront, before you start the job. Below are some ideas.
Take some time before you start the job to unwind from your old job. Maybe you were burnt out or downsized. Perhaps you’ve been promoted or recruited to a new job across the country. Regardless of your reason for leaving, it’s important to find time to reflect on the past before you embrace the future. Think about the skills you learned, the successes you had, the people you appreciated, mistakes you made, and the lessons you learned. Clear your head of any negative feelings you might have. List the strengths you will be bringing to your new job - and the areas you know you’ll need to improve. The point is to acknowledge your past efforts and recognize the transition you’re about to make.
Next, make sure to schedule a few hours, a day, or a week (or more if you’re lucky!) to enjoy a break from the old job. Stay at home and finish a project you’ve wanted to complete. Enjoy the “guilty pleasure” of going to the gym, a yoga class, the mall, or a movie in the middle of a work day! Take a trip. Do some reading. Plan a party to celebrate your new endeavor - tell your friends to bring gifts if you want to - it’s your party! The point here is to have a little fun, relax, and celebrate “you”. You’ve earned it.
As the “start day” approaches, take some time to picture yourself in the job. Think about the work environment. Will it be different from others you’ve worked in? Picture yourself driving to work. Will the commute be longer or shorter? Prepare for any change in schedule the job will require. Do you anticipate that the new job will require earlier meetings than you’re accustomed to? Will you be able to telecommute? Consider what it will be like to work for the new organization.
If you will be managing a team, put a general plan together for how you’d like to start to work with your staff. Plan to have individual meetings with them to introduce yourself and find out who they are, what their career goals involve, and what projects they’re working on right now. Find out if there are any potential problems they are facing that you need to know about as you step into the first week on the job. Write down questions you’d like to ask your new boss about his or her impressions of your team, their past performance, and his or her future expectations of their efforts.
On “Day One” of the new job, put on a clean, crisp outfit and go off into your new adventure. Take advantage of any new employee orientation or on-boarding program that is offered. It will be helpful for you to quickly get to know the company. An on-boarding program will have some prescribed activities for your first few weeks or months on the job. If your new organization does not offer this type of program, let me know and I’ll try to offer you some tips I’ve learned as I’ve worked with clients to build onboarding programs in their organizations.
Ó Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
16
Jun
2009
What have you changed this week?
This week I’ve had to change how I look at my basement. During the recent heavy thunderstorms in St. Louis, I watched as rainwater poured under my back door and through the porous basement walls, temporarily flooding the basement. Now, if this has never happened to you, I’ll explain the experience. First comes shock and horror, then you slip into a sense of the absurd; I mean water coming into your basement is really not supposed to replicate Niagara Falls. Next, you laugh at the absurdity…and then get busy cleaning the mess, pulling up damaged carpets, scrubbing the floor with bleach, airing out the basement to avoid mold setting in. And I recalled my sister’s rational response to her basement flooding last year, “it’s only water” she said. She’s right, water is manageable. Once my basement guy can get over here to help fix the problem and dig new drainage in my yard, the rainwater will flow once again through my backyard and I can stop pouring bleach across the basement floor to avoid mold and mildew taking over the house.
Disaster? No. Inconvenience, irritation? Yes.
On the bright side, I’ve learned more about drainage. I’ve been out in the pounding rain with an umbrella tracking where the water flows and how it gets into my basement. It’s been a small mystery to solve and I feel more connected to my house - sort of like uncovering someone’s personality; I now know more about the inner operations and hidden secrets of my home!
Change management advice for this week: Observe, breathe, smile, observe, gather solutions, breathe, get out the check book, smile, breathe …relax.
Ó Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
8
Jun
2009
Changing One Thing at a Time
The best time to make a change is when your schedule is unmanageable. Here’s the deal, if you continue to run full-speed ahead, your engines will eventually wear out. If you can’t recall the last time you got 8 hours of sleep, had 15 minutes to yourself, or exercised more than walking to and from the car then, trust me, it’s time to make a change.
I’m not saying the change has to be a big one - a simple change will do. Just make sure the change is easy to manage and that you consistently apply it for the next 30 days.
For example, at home, if you can’t find your car keys in the morning start leaving your keys in one spot each time you walk into the house; or if you’re “too busy” to make your bed in the morning take 30 seconds to make it. On the road, if you are texting and driving at the same time then make a point to do your texting 5 minutes before you start the car or after you arrive at your destination (texting at stop lights doesn’t count). At work, stand up and stretch between phone calls, take a walk up and down the staircase to unwind, invite a coworker to walk with you to get a cup of coffee, or hold a conversation outside if the weather is nice.
The point: it may seem impossible right now, but I can guaranty that if you pick one thing to change, you’ll find a new perspective. If you can take 10 seconds to put your key in one spot or 30 seconds to make your bed…30 days from now you might find you can take 5 minutes to really listen to your co-worker or your child. 60 days later, you may find 15 minutes to build in some exercise or sit and relax with a book.
If your schedule is getting the best of you, it’s time to make a change. Start with something easy, do it for 30 days, and celebrate your ability to take charge of your schedule.
Ó Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
2
Jun
2009
Meet Alexia
Meet Alexia Longacre. An accomplished business owner and manager, she will be providing much needed back-up to me. Alexia builds almost immediate rapport with clients and knows how to get questions answered. If you cannot reach me, she will be available to help address questions or find a time to talk with me. Alexia’s bio is below. You can read her bio on my website in the Contacts tab: http://www.anneoffner.com/contact.htm