2014 has been a beautiful year, with all its ups and downs. 2015 will be the better because 2014 happened.
1. Matters Professional.
I learned that putting in more hours does not necessarily translate to you being employee of the month! It is more about getting the work done and when you work smart, 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m is more than enough. You only need to plan out your days and weeks to ensure not everything ends up becoming an emergency.
I also learned that as an employee, the employer is doing you no favours, and that’s why you have a contract to guide your working relationships. None of you does the other favours; it’s more a symbiotic relationship where you both need each other to achieve your shared and personal goals. In light of this, you can respectfully say no to your employer. You need to remember you have a life outside work and as long you are not a shareholder, your employer can spit you out faster than you would care to like once he feels done with you. It once happened to me and when I looked back at what I had sacrificed towards helping the company achieve it’s goals, I felt cheated the way I was treated at the end. Now I know better. Give my job my very best but not my life. Oh, and as an employee you have laws that protect you! Your boss cannot fire you because they don’t like you! Get familiar with those laws and know your rights as people perish due to lack of knowledge.
Always maintain professionalism; at all times. Do not allow for there to be blurred lines. I know I met some of my best friends at a place of work,but be very careful when you mix work and pleasure. If possible, leave your personal life at the office gate when coming in unless it is very general stuff,like your birthday,LOL. Be wise in your dealings,that’s all, but maintain professionalism at all costs!
Do what you love and love what you do. Life is too short for you to be waking up to grumble and drag yourself to work! And there is life after a job; seriously; it may take a while but you can always get another job but what of family or friends? The people we so easily sacrifice in the name of work? Please note, I am not advocating for sloppiness; I just talked about professionalism. God did command that whatever your hands find to do,do it as unto the Lord that is equal to excellence! May you not give people ammunition against you,either in your personal or professional life. Always give your best. Find a balance. It is possible to leave work at 5:00 and catch up with the girls over drinks at 6:00 p.m and be home by 8:00 p.m. Or be home by 6:00 p.m to help the kids with their homework. Planning is at the core of it.
P/s: There is a tool called asana that is awesome for keeping projects on track.
I guess the rest of the lessons will come in a different post. This one feels like it needed to be on it’s own.
Wishing you a professional and satisfying 2015.
Imperfectous
Miss Adoyo 