Principles for self-renewal
WE ALL know that an exciting working life comes with growing responsibilities and challenges.
In our relentless pursuit of career goals, we may lose sight of priorities we have set for our family and personal life. Without setting aside time to recharge ourselves, we may run out of steam and encounter work-life tension.
But there are people who seem to have found the right formula for work-life effectiveness. What could be their work-life mantra? Have they adopted certain good "Habits" and "Attitudes" we have overlooked? Try the following "Habitudes" for a change:
- The Iceberg (Your character)
Visualise an iceberg. The 10 percent above water is your skill-set. The 90 per cent below water is your character, comprising your values, standards and belief system. Work on your character to enhance your credibility and to build strong relationships at work and in life, for greater personal effectiveness. Remember, it is what's below the surface that sinks the ship.
- The Starving Baker (Feed yourself)
Do not be like a starving baker who spends time baking for others but forgets to feed himself. Identify personal development opportunities to pick up new skills and ideas. Sharpen your saw by taking time out for your personal interests or to be with your family and friends. You might have experienced work-life disharmony fighting for survival during the economic downturn. It is now timely to replenish your emotional and physical reserves, to rise up to future work-life challenges.
- Drivers and Passengers (Be a driver, not a passenger)
Drivers and passengers have totally different perspectives of their journey. Drivers focus on the destination and the route to get there. Passengers pay no or little attention to the direction taken.
Be responsible for your journey and destination in life. Proactively review your life goals, and plan your work-life around your priorities. For example, if you wish to spend more time with your family, you may explore whether there is room for flexibility in your working arrangements in a way that will benefit you and your company.
- Emotional Fuel (Be connected)
People closest to you are your personal network of emotional fuel. Do not run out of "gas"; spend time with your loved ones, mentors, role models and accountability partners to re-ignite your passion for work and life. Your personal network will be a bedrock of support in helping you surmount work-life challenges. They can also be your sounding board and hold you to your work-life commitments.
- Big Rocks First (Prioritise your daily tasks)
Imagine that you are filling a container with rocks - you must put the big ones in first to make room for the smaller ones. Rocks are priorities. At the start of each day, identify your top priorities for that day, and address them before you move on to other activities.
Remember that 20 per cent of your daily tasks will help you achieve 80 per cent of your desired results. Are the items on your calendar mostly time-wasters or urgent tasks? Always plan ahead for important assignments to avoid a reactive, trouble-shooting tendency.
Perhaps one of your New Year resolutions is about achieving greater work-life effectiveness. If so, commit to good self-leadership "Habitudes" for a start. It could be the big rock that makes the difference in jumpstarting your exciting work-life journey.
-This article is partially adapted from "The art of self leadership" by Dr Tim Elmore, contributed by Mrs Helen Lim-Yang, a senior partner of OTi Consulting, a management consultancy specialising in organisation renewal.
WE ALL know that an exciting working life comes with growing responsibilities and challenges.
In our relentless pursuit of career goals, we may lose sight of priorities we have set for our family and personal life. Without setting aside time to recharge ourselves, we may run out of steam and encounter work-life tension.
But there are people who seem to have found the right formula for work-life effectiveness. What could be their work-life mantra? Have they adopted certain good "Habits" and "Attitudes" we have overlooked? Try the following "Habitudes" for a change:
- The Iceberg (Your character)
Visualise an iceberg. The 10 percent above water is your skill-set. The 90 per cent below water is your character, comprising your values, standards and belief system. Work on your character to enhance your credibility and to build strong relationships at work and in life, for greater personal effectiveness. Remember, it is what's below the surface that sinks the ship.
- The Starving Baker (Feed yourself)
Do not be like a starving baker who spends time baking for others but forgets to feed himself. Identify personal development opportunities to pick up new skills and ideas. Sharpen your saw by taking time out for your personal interests or to be with your family and friends. You might have experienced work-life disharmony fighting for survival during the economic downturn. It is now timely to replenish your emotional and physical reserves, to rise up to future work-life challenges.
- Drivers and Passengers (Be a driver, not a passenger)
Drivers and passengers have totally different perspectives of their journey. Drivers focus on the destination and the route to get there. Passengers pay no or little attention to the direction taken.
Be responsible for your journey and destination in life. Proactively review your life goals, and plan your work-life around your priorities. For example, if you wish to spend more time with your family, you may explore whether there is room for flexibility in your working arrangements in a way that will benefit you and your company.
- Emotional Fuel (Be connected)
People closest to you are your personal network of emotional fuel. Do not run out of "gas"; spend time with your loved ones, mentors, role models and accountability partners to re-ignite your passion for work and life. Your personal network will be a bedrock of support in helping you surmount work-life challenges. They can also be your sounding board and hold you to your work-life commitments.
- Big Rocks First (Prioritise your daily tasks)
Imagine that you are filling a container with rocks - you must put the big ones in first to make room for the smaller ones. Rocks are priorities. At the start of each day, identify your top priorities for that day, and address them before you move on to other activities.
Remember that 20 per cent of your daily tasks will help you achieve 80 per cent of your desired results. Are the items on your calendar mostly time-wasters or urgent tasks? Always plan ahead for important assignments to avoid a reactive, trouble-shooting tendency.
Perhaps one of your New Year resolutions is about achieving greater work-life effectiveness. If so, commit to good self-leadership "Habitudes" for a start. It could be the big rock that makes the difference in jumpstarting your exciting work-life journey.
-This article is partially adapted from "The art of self leadership" by Dr Tim Elmore, contributed by Mrs Helen Lim-Yang, a senior partner of OTi Consulting, a management consultancy specialising in organisation renewal.
