Some Tips!!!!!!. Review on Dealing with Tough Times at Work / Job

I was really happy when I got job offer and thought WOW.. ALL MY WORRIES ARE OVER NOW. Now I don’t have to get frustrated while doing job search, facing interviews, preparing for interviews etc etc. But I was wrong. I started working with a company which is highly highly cosmo cultural. In my company we have people from Egypt, US, Canada, Iran, Philippines, Hawaii, Guam and myself from India. Not only that, each one has different ethnicity and background. Each one is from different age group.

It is but natural that when you have so much differences, clashes are very normal. Its obvious that you will have difference of opinion with each other and at times even though what you think is perfectly fine, others decide to differ just because they are elder than you or just because of ego problems. These are very very common issues which makes your blood boil and you lose your temper.

I totally believe “THERE IS NO PROBLEM WHICH DOES NOT HAVE SOLUTION.” So here are the tips I think one should know how to control the situation and deal with situations. There are two ways one can avoid tough times at work.

1) Preventive Measures

2) Corrective Measures

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Preventive measures are nothing but tips which will help you to get into trouble. They are as follows:

- Be Professional

When I say be professional, I mean, one should follow the rules and regulations set forth by the company you are working. Try to be on time, follow the dress code and start your day greeting everybody at work. Try to keep your personal emails separate from your office email addresses. Try avoiding taking many personal phone calls during your work timings. Always keep your cell phone on OFF or VIBRATE mode so that ringer does not affect others. Be prompt in responding back to any mails from vendors, suppliers or customers, that have arrived and always keep hard copy of all the communication taking place.

- Keep Notes

Always maintain notes and note down each & every small details discussed with your project manager or colleague with date and time. This will help you in future if anybody back tracks from what they had said, you will have written proof of discussion. This will also avoid people taking unnecessary advantage if you have not taken your notes.

- Notify

Always call up your boss or your colleague, if you are going to be late for work or if you are not going to meet the deadline well in advance. So if they have to change their schedule, they are very much aware of your schedule. If possible, send a email so that you have written proof that you had notify them well in advance.

- Meet The Deadlines

Always try to meet the deadlines that are set forward by you and your partner. If you know you wont able to make it, notify in advance. If asked for your time frame, always give time at least 3-4 days more than actually required by you to finish the project. This will give you time to double check your work as well as it will buy you time in case of any other unforseen problems faced.

- Communicate

Try to communicate on daily basis with your project manager or your colleague and update them on your progress. This will help if any changes needs to be done on your work at early stage and you wont have to redo the full project. This will also eliminate any mis-communication taken place.

- Stay Away from Internal Politics

Always try to avoid indulging into any politics that is going on. Don’t criticize even if you are forced to. Try not taking any sides and be neutral. This will help in getting any negative opinion being formed by others.

- Be Careful

Be very careful in not indulging in discussing general politics and religion, if you have very strong opinion on those issues. These two topics which will create lot of problems if other person is not willing to accept your view point. So stay away from discussing those topics. If you discuss, then try to look at others point of view and accept it.

CORRECTIVE MEASURES

Its not always possible to control the temper. If you get fired up, try to follow the following tips which has always worked for me.

- Control

Try to control your frustration and anger before spitting it onto others. Try to stay calm , making sure you don’t hurt others by harsh words. Drink water. It helps. Try discussing on the topic after everybody is cooled down if it has heated up everybody.

- Go Out for Walk

When angry, try to take a break and go out for 10-15 min walk. Go and have a cup of tea or coffee. This will help you to cool down your temper.

- Talk/Chat

Try talking to people who can understand you and listen to you. Try avoiding those who force their opinion onto you on that situation. Try chatting with your friends and family if they are online. This will help you to divert your attention from the situation.

- Music

Listen to light soft music that you like. Try avoiding playing it loud so that nobody gets disturbed.

I don’t have anything more to say. Hope this helps.

-Rahul