On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a problem that everyone faces at one time or another, what do you do when your personal life makes it hard to focus at work? We’ll start with a question from someone who just got promoted into a great new job, but also has to deal with several personal problems — making it hard to focus. We’ll discuss how to stay focused at work and deal with personal challenges at the same time.
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On this week’s My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about returning to work; specifically returning to the office after working remotely. Join them as they consider the pros and cons of commuting as well as whether some people might prefer finding a remote job instead of returning to the office.
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Is fear stopping you from leaving your job? For some people, leaving a job is easy to talk about but not so easy to do. Even if you know it’s time to leave, fear may get in the way. Kathi and Katherine explore the challenge of leaving a job and discuss tactics for managing the fears that come with making this kind of change.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about priority change on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
What happens when life events change your priorities and your job becomes less of a concern?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
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This past Sunday (4/26/2020) Governor Cuomo of New York said, “We are not going back to the way things were, we are going forward.” I have to say I agree with the Governor. Many of my clients are telling me that they see this as an opportunity to do things differently.
Some small business owners want to take their businesses smaller not bigger. Other clients want to continue working from home and no longer want to commute. Several of my clients are saying they want to incorporate real work-life balance — not just pay lip service to it. And some clients are realizing that they need to find a better job/career.
Everyone is thinking about what “moving forward” means. If you aren’t, it’s time to start. We are in a reset. Go inside and listen. Do not disregard your deepest thoughts and feelings; they are telling you something. You are at a point of choice at this time. You can let go of the way you thought work had to be and decide on what is right for you.
What parts of your job/career do you want to move forward? What parts are you unwilling to continue? Consider the following:
Commuting – Maybe you want to work closer to home, or work virtually.
Change industry – If your industry is on hold, you may want to investigate a completely different industry. Maybe you want to go back to school.
Micromanaging boss – This could be a good time to see if you can transfer to another department or find another job.
Doing the work of others – Perhaps you no longer want to compensate for others’ lack of initiative.
Compromising my private life – You may want to establish a hard start and stop time to your workday, creating boundaries around work that protect your private life.
Working with a mean girl/guy – Instead of working with awful people, you may be ready to look for a new position within or outside of your current company
Not getting paid fairly – It may be time to find a position that pays you what you deserve.
Getting rid of troubling employees – Downturns have always been a good time to lay off difficult staff. Perhaps you have some people who could go.
Needing less office space – Going to a more virtual workforce may mean you don’t need as much office space.
Going back to a standard schedule – Instead of returning to your previously regimented work schedule, you may want more flexibility.
Stop eating overpriced unhealthy food – Does your company serve unhealthy, overpriced food at meetings? You may want to bring your own food to work more often.
It’s time for me to not have a boss – You may be ready to start your own business.
Doing work that has no meaning – You may feel that now is the time to make a difference.
Most of us fear change and the unknown. We tend to stay in difficult situations longer then we should for fear of not knowing what better options are available to us. Instead of being scared, embrace change and possibilities. (I know this is easier to say than it is to do.)
During this unusual time, I challenge each of you to examine and come to terms with what you really want to do professionally. Consider your happiness, your purpose, your health, and your legacy.
Kathi Elster – Executive Coach and co-owner of K Squared Enterprises.
Contact us at info@mycrazyoffice.co for any further help around this topic.
As an executive coach, I try to show my clients that with every awful business occurrence there is usually a silver lining. You may not see that lining at first, but with time you can see there was a lesson of value.
Not everyone is experiencing or seeing the silver lining at this time. Some of you are losing cherished members of your family and dear friends. Some of you may have lost your job and much needed income.
Some of you may feel angry because your gym is closed. Most of us desperately need a haircut. With that said, this quarantine and pause from life, as usual, can be a catalyst for each of us to take stock regarding what might actually be the silver lining.
Below is a list of silver lining comments that my clients have made over the last few weeks:
1 – I don’t miss many of my co-workers.
2 – I’m cooking all my meals and I like it.
3 – I’m sleeping better and don’t feel the pressure to get up earlier than needed.
4 – I like the relaxed attire I get to wear while working.
5 – I have so many fewer emails that my job is more doable.
6 – I’m learning that I like being by myself – I like me.
7 – I’m an introvert so I’m OK dealing with fewer people daily.
8 – I don’t have to commute.
9 – I’m hearing from friends and family that I haven’t spoken to for a while.
10 – I’m reading more, cleaning more, and finding it relaxing.
11 – I’m more appreciative of the essential workers in my city.
12 – Spending more time with my cat/dog and family is really nice.
13 – I can hear the birds singing because there are less cars on the road.
14 – It feels like the planet is healing itself.
15 – I have the opportunity to rethink my values.
16 – I’m realizing how important my supermarket workers are.
17 – I can take care of myself on my schedule throughout the day.
18 – I appreciate my job.
19 – I get to take classes for the job I really want.
20 – I’m learning how to connect with people on line.
21 – I like having access to people and places virtually that are not local.
Hard times teach us valuable lessons that help us grow and plan for the future. What are your silver linings? If you don’t see them at this time I promise they are there. You will see them when the time is right.
Kathi Elster – Executive Coach and co-owner of K Squared Enterprises.
Contact us at info@mycrazyoffice.co for any further help around this topic.
Kathi and Katherine talk about priority change on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
What happens when life events change your priorities and your job becomes less of a concern?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about life change on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we discuss whether or not should you embark on a job search if your spouse may be laid off.
Then we discuss how to handle life changes that affect your career.
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Join Kathi and Katherine as they answer real workplace questions with solid advice, and a great sense of humor.
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Bestselling authors Katherine and Kathi use humor and a slue of engaging techniques to mediate solutions for individuals at every level of employment — from executives to managers to frontline employees.
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Please email us at info@mycrazyoffice.co.
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