by Mike on March 31, 2006
My blog friend Andy Wibbles was kind enough to usher me to a post by Andrea J. Lee.
She’s got a lot of good info that will help you get away from your work, if only for a few minutes. Which, by the way, is sometimes all you need to let inspiration strike.
Here’s some of what you’ve got to look forward to :
1) MOVE -” Little urgent matters that crop up in a day can have a way of keeping you mesmerized by your email, never more than arm’s length away from your computer. Could your laptop be throwing off a magnetic force or something ? ”
2) SHUT OFF INPUT - ” Being too full is one of the most common reasons for feeling like crap, and nothing’s worse than crap except when it overflows, wouldn’t you agree ? ”
3) PLAY A CUTE GAME WITH SILLY MUSIC - ” Overusing my head can make my ‘engine’ run too hot, and just like a car, usually a breakdown is imminent. I spend more time cooling my jets at this site than I might admit to my husband, but sanity is worth it, I tell ya ! ”
4) PULL A COSTANZA - ” If something’s not working, a little or a lot, stop and try heading in the direction of the energy flow, often the opposite of where you’ve been pushing. ”
5) LAUGH AT SOMETHING - ” Purposely looking for something to laugh at can sometimes feel like trying to tickle yourself, but you may surprise yourself if you start creating a routine around it. ”
Andrea’s got a truck load of links and even more office wisdom waiting for you, so don’t wait any longer to read her guide to Uncrapping Your Day !
by Chrispian on March 29, 2006
Everyone who’s worked for someone knows how hard it can be to get things done sometimes. The boss has a vision of what needs to be done and it isn’t always the right way, best way, or the way you want to do it. These issues can be resolved with healthy communication and proper handling of your boss, which I prefer to call it “boss wrangling”, but that’s just me.
10 rules to manage your boss offers up some great tips for getting things to go the way you want them to. Things like “If you ask for her opinion, she will always have one.” is dead on. If you give your boss a choice of ways to do things they’ll almost always pick the one you didn’t want. Present them with the way you want to do it and why you want to do it that way. Options confuse people, bosses included. When I present a client with a design, I give them one to choose from. They are free to suggest changes, but if you present 3 designs you’ll end up creating a 4th with all the bad elements from the previous 3. Great tips and many of them apply to dealing with co-workers and clients too.
via Lifehacker.
by Joi on March 26, 2006
My husband and I are sometimes on different sides of the fence when it comes to our home office - he’s more into the office part of the equation while I’m standing on the home side with a flower arrangement in one hand and scented candles in the other. Fortunately, there’s a gate in the fence, so when he sees his wrongness and my rightness, he can just come right on over to the prettier side.
I’m sure he’d have to admit how beautiful this
Wicker File Box
from The Home Marketplace is. It can hold all of the important necessities that need to be accounted for without looking like that’s what it’s doing. It looks like it’s just hanging around looking gorgeous. Not that Windex doesnt’ make these metal guys nice and shiny - and almost pretty - but this wicker file cabinet is downright handsome. And with handles on the sides, they can be easily toted to the living room, dining room, or patio.
The dimensions are 14″W x 11 1/2″H x 11″D, and they’re actually on sale right now for $26.99. Memo to husband: We might need several.
I won’t break it to him, yet, but they also have a great
Cat Bunk Bed
that’d look great in here.
by Joi on March 20, 2006
There’s a pretty interesting article about workplace etiquette on MSNBC.com. Some you’ll agree with, but there might be one or two that you respectfullly disagree with.
For example, the author recommends not wearing cologne to work, and while too much can cause headaces for owners of functioning noses, I’m not so sure I’d want it cut out all together. A little is kind of nice. Except for those cats who smell like they marinated in the stuff. I walked past a man in the store a few days ago that nearly made me pass out. He was a red-headed version of “Herb Tarlek” (from WKRP in Cincinnati fame) and smelled like ole Herb probably smelled. I was just grateful my husband wasn’t with me, I know, know, know he’d have started singing the theme song.
One of the greatest themes song ever.
Here’s the link to the article: Rude Awakening in the Workplace
Have an awesome week!
by Joi on March 18, 2006
Motivational - Working Together
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautifully mesmerizing photographs I’ve ever seen. I love photography - it’s a talent I’ve always wished I possessed. But, alas, my pictures just look like that - pictures. Great photography (like the image above) moves the viewer. It evokes passion and feelings. The photographer in this instance hit it smack out of the ballpark! The red, white, and blue smoke and the reflection of the planes in the water are absolutely gorgeous and would add drama to any office - at home or away.
I also love the motivational message: Teamwork. Formation flying is a perfect metaphor for “working together.” Each pilot HAS to think of the whole rather than the part. The phrase at the bottom sums it up this way: “Individuals play games, but teams win championships.”
By the bye (how old school is that?), if you ever get a chance to see the Blue Angels live - do so. Whatever the cost, wherever you have to go, however long the line. Just go.
When you regain your breath, you’ll be so glad you did.
by Joi on March 15, 2006
Loving the Step Perpetual Calendar from www.UncommonGoods.com
. It would be the perfect desk calendar for American Idol’s Taylor Hicks - he spends most of his time all leaned over anyway. Amazing voice, though, and he’s from the same beautiful state that the greatest idol ever is from - Alabama/Bo Bice. Two of my favorites this year, Chris Daughtry and Bucky Covington, look to be following in Bo’s rockin’ steps.
Wow. My thoughts just totally danced off in a different direction. We might be back now.
The Calendar. Due to the sexy design, this takes up very little room on a desk - and if your desk is anything like mine, that’s a very important concern. The perpetual calendar lets you set the month according to day and date. It’s up to you to remember what month it actually is.
I love the novelty and sleekness of this calendar. I also like the fact that you wouldn’t have to buy new calendars every year - you just shift the days around accordingly. At only $15, I think this little beauty’s a bargain to boot.
Okay, back to what’s really on everyone’s mind….. I wonder if adorable Kevin or lovely Melissa will be sent home tonight?!?
by Joi on March 14, 2006
The following 9 suggestions are from “Insights Newsletter” (Insight for Living). They really don’t require a foreward or an afterward from me, so I’ll just step out of the way.
Nine Insights for Getting Ahead
1. WORK HARD. Follow tasks through to completion.
2. THINK CREATIVELY. See challenges from new angles.
3. SPEAK GENTLY. Consider the impact of your words.
4. COOPERATE FREELY. Meet the need of the moment - even when it’s not yours.
5. ACT WITH INTEGRITY. Be the same privately as you are publicly.
6. HONOR OTHERS. Recognize your coworkers’ contributions.
7. SEE INSIGHTFULLY. Look beyond the obvious.
8. LISTEN THOROUGHLY. Discern what is meant - not just what is said.
9. RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. Deal with mistakes openly and fairly.
by Mike on March 13, 2006
Just found a quick and easy read over at Life Hack about office politics.
” Organizations are social places too. The economic basis for people coming together to work in groups and teams may be to achieve things they cannot do alone, but since people naturally enjoy being with others, the social aspect of work is never far below the surface. “
The post is full of info and has chunk after chunk of behaviorial observations like this :
” Office politics cannot be avoided, however many people regard them with distaste and try to avoid getting involved. Too often they smack of dirty tricks and the use of personal influence in the interests of a few, powerful individuals, conjuring up a picture of secret deals in back rooms and pay-offs in favors given and expected. Ethically, most instances of office politics tend to be dubious. “
And, in case you need more to tease you into clicking thru and reading the article :
” The upper reaches of most organizations are strikingly like golf clubs. There are hosts of unwritten rules of etiquette and behavior that you break at your peril. Being the best player is not always the route to the top positions. “
It’s worth your time and we’d appreciate it if you’d leave a comment and tell ‘em The Freaks sent you !
by Mike on March 9, 2006
My blog friend Andy Wibbels has written a post that only a blogger could love…or understand…or er, whatever.
Something about your brain, your home office, dancing with Prince, anti-depressants, brain cells, neurons, cubicles and the like.
The only way for me to do this fine piece of posting any justice is to point you that way and beg you to click thru and read it.
It’s actually a really fine read, in spite of my trying to parlay all those keywords into traffic.
Thanks, Andy and get us some video of that neuron dance !
by Joi on March 8, 2006
There’s a pretty good article waiting for you on the other side of this link: Clear the Clutter
While in their neighborhood, have a look around. I wandered happily about for about 15 minutes. There are several informative articles and all sorts of things to spend money on. All in all, a good time to be had.
