Inter-Office Odyssey

Five Questions to Ask Yourself (Before You Leave Work Today)

1. If this was your last day on Earth, and you had to spend a full eight hours at work, what would you do differently?

Perhaps you'd like to unleash a pent-up backlog of caustic comments, but let's try to keep this positive. How would you go about your tasks? What would you do to find meaning in those waning hours? Whom would you talk with? What would you say? Now think about your answers. There's a 99.999% chance that you'll have the gift of another day tomorrow. How will you make the most of it?

2. What did you learn today?

If your work is fairly routine, you might feel like your brain is on permanent standby. So take charge and look for ways to learn. Have a first-time conversation with a customer. Approach a colleague and ask for a quick lesson on the new software. Volunteer for that upcoming project. Walk over to a different department and meet some new people. The opportunities are there, but you have to step forward and seize them.

3. What did you teach today?

Teaching is the best way to learn, and it's also a great way to serve. Right now, think of three things you know that others in your workplace would benefit from knowing. Maybe it's a piece of information. Or an insight. Or a perspective. Or a talent. Don't diminish yourself. What you know is significant, and you can strengthen your workplace by sharing it with colleagues.

4. What stories did you tell today?

People tell stories all the time in informal conversation, even if they don't call it "storytelling." Over months and years, an accumulation of stories does more to build a workplace culture than anything else. If your stories are full of criticism, skepti- cism, or cynicism, you're doing damage. If you're staying silent, you're missing an opportunity. Look for what's going right - and talk about it.

5. Who benefited from your work today?

This is the mission question, and if you're fumbling for an answer, don't feel bad. Many people are so busy with tasks and deadlines that they have trouble getting inspired and engaged. So do this: On your way home from work today, ponder your purpose. Think about the people who ultimately benefit from what you do and how you do it. Keep thinking as tomorrow and the next day unfold. With enough reflection, you'll find your mission - or a mission will find you.

Copyright 2007 Tom Terez. All rights reserved.

My way or the highway: everything you always wanted to know about micromanagement

Four out of five workers say they've been a victim of micromanagement. But what does the term really mean? In his book, My Way or the Highway—the Micromanagement Survival Guide (Berrett-Koehler), author Harry E. Chambers writes, "Basically, micromanagement is the excessive, unwanted, counterproductive interference and disruption of people or things. It occurs when influence, involvement and interaction begin to subtract value from people and processes. It is the perception of inappropriate interference in someone else's activities, responsibilities, decision making and authority." This article offers strategies for dealing effectively with micromanagers—and knowing whether you are one.

Read the full article from the American Management Association here. Read an excerpt from the book here.

Career Burnout?

In the Work & Family Mailbox of Thursday's WSJ, a reader named J.H. wrote in and asked about career burnout. J.H. described symptoms such as being "lethargic", detached and exhausted from work. J.H. also stated that she/he could not get away.

What was Sue Shellenbarger's, the WSJ columnist, solution?

"The No. 1 remedy for burnout, and the belief that you can't take time off is a common self-delusion among burnout sufferers."

Other remedies suggested by Sue:

1. "Seek the perspective of people you love."
2. Set "aside some time each workday for quiet-time rituals such as massage or meditation."

Sue also recommended two books:

• Read Slack to better understand the necessity of having time off.
• Check out Getting Things Done to help "ease your job anxieties".

[ via Kate at 800.CEO.READ blog ]

Retirement 101

Think back to your high school Latin. Tempus fugit, eh? (Translation: Time flies.) Well, if you don't plan for retirement, tempus fudge it won't begin to describe your problems.

The Strong Shall Inherit the Earth

"You may think, 'I use my strengths every day.' Congratulations... The data says you're a rare bird."
~ Marcus Buckingham

When Marcus Buckingham polled workers recently, he asked, Which will help you achieve greater success: Building your strengths or fixing your weaknesses? Only 41% of people believed that focusing on their strengths was the key to success. Bingham was shocked by the number - he sees focusing on our strenghs as the key to distinguishing ourselves and excelling at work.

And the truth is, he says, most people are less interested in deploying their assets than in lessening their liabilities. For example, only 25% of working people say their managers actively coach them in how to use their strengths at work. Even worse, only 17% of working people say that they spend most of their day doing things they really like.

In most companies today, a weakness isn't a "weakness"; it's an "area of opportunity," with the implication that our greatest areas for development can be found in our weaknesses, not our strengths. Similarly, when we're coached, we're often told to focus on our "skill gaps" as though a) plugging our gaps is the secret to career success and b) all skills can be learned if we just work at them long enough.

To find out more, read an excerpt from Now, Discover Your Strengths here.

The Secret To Career Success

From grooming to office politics to meeting manners, there's a right way and a wrong way to act. The wrong move can sink your career. To help you from making a faux pas, Forbes.com spoke with Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute and co-author of the second edition of The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success.

You can also read an excerpt from the book here.