5 Tips to manage your relationships so they don’t manage you…and your mood!
I don’t mean presents bought and wrapped, menus crafted or even travel plans secured. I’m referring to the mental mind shift needing to occur prior to your real “holidayitis” taking you by storm…at your workplace!
Thoughts and to do lists can easily distract us from our work responsibilities. First and foremost, as obligations of things you want to do and those other things you need to do start gathering momentum, it’s critical to pull back for a moment. There’s still work to be done!
Become an observer in your workplace and your interactions with others around you.
Here are 5 tips to help focus your attention to lessen any strain with those you work with—even when the others may have their focus elsewhere! These tips will make a huge difference when YOU step up and model behavior that, in turn, can help your office climate warm up!
1. Be in the moment with those you are speaking to. Keep your focus by maintaining eye contact and not letting your mind drift to what else you need to do. People can sense when you are “with them” or a million miles away. Don’t let your mind wander to the next phone call to be made or the next patient or client to bring back. Yes, those things need to be done, so extricate yourself in a way that is not offensive to the other. There’s a huge difference between walking away from someone saying you don’t have time and saying something, such as: “It’s important to me that I give you my full attention, but my plate’s overflowing right now. Can I get back with you when I finish X-Y-Z?” Then keep your word and do it without being reminded!
2. Turn on your politeness button. When everyone around you has STRESS printed on their forehead in red ink, keep your composure by being a calming influence. Remain steady. Remember to say please and thank you. Smile. It’s easy for these little things to slip away, and so important that you don’t let them!
3. Ask if you can help. If you see a co-worker pressed for time or experiencing difficulty completing a task, pitch in! That can be one of the biggest gifts you can give to another. Doesn’t matter if it’s “not your job” per se, but cleaning a treatment room that you see needs it, but your co-worker hasn’t been able to get to it yet… has tremendous rewards that ripple through out the office.
4. Be flexible. Realize that especially at this time of year, different things crop up during the day that can interrupt your usual work flow. Go with it rather than be aggravated by it. People may stop by unexpectedly, cancel appointments or even call asking for emergency appointments for a visiting relative, etc. Expecting the unexpected, as they say, can help you by going with the flow as opposed to fighting to push upstream. Choose your reaction; choose your attitude!
5. When all else fails, breathe! Breathe slowly and deeply. Go to the bathroom or a private area for just 2 minutes, close your eyes and breathe slowly through your nose, hold a moment, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Talk calmly to yourself in the mirror (you’re alone…it’s ok!).
Put a smile on your face….and remember, this too shall pass.
P.S. If you like this post, please feel free to hit the share button….maybe together we can put more smiles on faces and exponentially create more inviting smiles to our lives…and offices!
