Engagement Archives - Page 5 of 11

Curing Procrastination

Engagement, Mindfulness, Productivity / My Holland

You can easily find on the internet a list of seven deadly habits. Whoever made it should have included procrastination. Yes, this habit is deadly because many people treat it as a friend. Procrastination doesn’t strike anyone like lightning. Instead, it’s like the Venus Flytrap that exudes its sweet nectar to attract its victims. But unlike the prey caught in the Venus Flytrap, we can escape the clutches of procrastination. There are many ways to combat this habit but be forewarned – there isn’t one remedy that can cure everyone. What will work for you may not do so for others. Also, you might need to employ a combination of methods to conquer procrastination. Here are some ways which you may find useful. Get Rid of Distractions We are living in an era where there are many distractions. Probably top on the list are gadgets like smartphones and tablets. Even though you store your phone inside your drawer, it takes a lot of willpower to resist the urge to check on your social media or visit your favorite website. You tell yourself that you’re going to browse for only a minute, but before you know it, ten minutes or more has elapsed. The good news is that there are apps and software available to block social media and other similar sites for a length of time of your choosing. Search the internet for these and select the right one for you. If you’re working in an open environment where you can hear people talking at the end of the hall, wearing noise-canceling headphones or earphones is a good idea. If your organization allows you to do so, you can even listen to music while at work. But, choose the right music. Certain types can be distracting too. Set Your Own Deadlines You’re given a task which is due in a week’s time. Seven days is a lot of time so you’re tempted to procrastinate. But, often, when you put off doing something until the last moment, your finished job will be obviously rushed and unsatisfactory. Maybe at school you can get away with it but not with organizations. They might not fire you but they can withhold a pay raise or promotion. Set a self-imposed deadline on everything you do. If it helps, ask a friend or colleague to keep track of your progress. Also, you can reward yourself every time you finish a job before a deadline

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“Do Women Make Good Leaders?”

Emotional Intelligence, Engagement, Goals, Leadership, Motivation, Positivity, Productivity / My Holland

Women are often underestimated in the world of business. Some countries mark the month of March as National Women’s History Month. The UN celebrates the International Women’s Day every 8th of March where the said day recognises and celebrates the achievement of women. So what better way to mark this day than by discussing a popular debate topic – do women make good leaders? At the lowest levels of workplaces across the globe, over half of employees are women, but as you move up the organisational ladder, the number of women drop off dramatically. In fact, at the very top of the tree, as few as 4% of organisation leaders are female. There are lots of discussions and claims out there about the way in which leadership between men and women differs. Traditionally, women are nurturing, empathetic and emotional. How do these traits and qualities translate into the world of business and leadership? Do they set us back or do they drive us forward? One Harvard Business Review (HBR) survey looked at 16 key competencies that make a good leader (including taking initiative, developing others and inspiring/motivating colleagues). The 7,280 results from the public and private sector companies proved the usual stereotypes – women rank higher than men in the so-called ‘nurturing’ competencies, such as building relationships. No surprises there. But what was also interesting, was that women also excelled outside of the traditional ‘female’ strengths. Women were rated higher than men in 12 of the 16 competencies, and were rated overall better leaders by their peers. When it comes to two of the traits – taking initiative and driving for results – men are often assumed to be better at these, but it was women who topped the poll. With the exception of the ‘ability to develop a strategic perspective, ’ in which men trumped women, women are highly regarded in leadership roles, because – not in spite – of their emotional and empathetic tendencies. Women are often underestimated in the world of business. They can face sexism in the workplace, but also a lack of self-belief. Tradition places men at the top of organisational structures, but the tide is changing … slowly but surely. Studies like this, and many more, prove that people within business rate women as strong leaders. Having the respect of those you work with is half the battle. Qualities such as being emotional are not viewed as negative traits by them, but as a positive in forging relationships with colleagues and more importantly, driving and achieving results. Let’s hope that not only the businesses out there take note of this, but women themselves. We need to have self-confidence to be able to go for the big jobs without fear of rejection or inferiority. Our traditionally ‘female’ traits do not have to be a barrier to success – they can be our reasons for success.

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“Eight Best Tips for Career Women”

Engagement, Goals, Happiness, Leadership, Motivation, Positivity / My Holland

It doesn’t matter in what field you may be pursuing your career – the arts, public service, the sciences, business management, information technology, math, engineering or any other male-dominated fields – these following tips should help strengthen your resolve to succeed in your professional life: Never say “You can’t do it.” Take a risk. The noted director of widely popular Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Ellen Stofan says she took a risk when offered her first management job. She didn’t think she was equipped to handle it but took on the job anyway and discovered she had the skills to make a success of it. Always have a plan B – If plan A doesn’t work, plan B or even plan C should give you another crack at making it work. Decide and concentrate on who you’re going to be and what you will contribute. Remember that your career is a path. You will have to think about the decisions you will have to make as part of traversing this path leading towards your development as a person and as a professional. Take note of how you spend your time – Log it down and note the big time-users and work out how you can reduce these so you can put in more time into those activities that increase your income, boost your well-being and strengthen your impact. Find ways to delegate or drop the other unnecessary stuff. Have a mindset anchored on growth – Angela Duckworth, author of GRIT; THE POWER OF PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE says, in essence, that having a growth mindset is important. It’s critical to have a hopeful, optimistic way of viewing your experiences and constantly looking to see what you can learn even during the bad times. Never stop learning. Develop your talent – It’s not a question of either you have it or you don’t. With practice and determination, you can develop a special talent you’re interested in. The trick is to work hard and practice to improve in something that has captured your heart. Learn how to communicate effectively – The Vice President and Global Head Honcho of Diversity and Inclusion for Lockheed, Martin, Rainia Washington say communication is one of her “3 C’s” for career success. Nothing beats having great skills in written and oral communications. Her other “2 C’s” are courage and character. It won’t hurt too to get some expert coaching when you can. Seize the opportunity when it comes up – Taking advantage of opportunities is key to every career woman’s growth and success. In the course of your work, identify the tasks or assignments that promise promotions, then ask for those. You will have to go beyond simply performing in your current position. You have got to show your potential. These are 8 important, tried, and tested tips, that have boosted women’s career in various fields. Try them and don’t worry too much about what your officemates may say, or even about not being liked. Not all successful women are liked.

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Engagement

Curing Procrastination

“Do Women Make Good Leaders?”

“Eight Best Tips for Career Women”

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