About The Blog
What is the anatomy of a dream workday?
If I was to look back at my workday and smile satisfyingly, it would include:
1. Getting Shit Done Under Pressure:
Listing 5-7 core to-dos at the start of the day. Carrying the check-off momentum through the day and ending the day with a fully checked of list. Dealing with the pressure of deadlines positively and not with dread. Getting immersed and enjoying the task at hand and losing track of time.
2. Defeating the Email Monster:
Skillfully treading through the constant stream of emails at set time intervals. Having addressed all important emails and burning issues by day end.
3. Meetings That Bear Fruit:
Holding productive, focused meetings with a clear agenda, meaningful discussions and meaty next steps.
4. Moving Projects Forward:
Driving or contributing substantially to the different workstreams of a project meeting the stated milestone for the day.
5. Peace and Tranquility:
No energy draining conflicts, arguments, scarring debates or bitter differences of opinion with those above me (manager, leadership), those below me (reports) and those at the same level (departmental and cross-functional colleagues).
6. Bond Building and Appreciation:
Strengthened relationships with manager, report or colleagues through meaningful discussions rather than resorting to gossip and the office rumor mill. As a cherry on top, getting a sprinkling of appreciation from either my boss, juniors or colleagues ideally all three.
7. Staying True To My Brand:
Living up to my personal brand through the day. My personal brand is speed, quality and the drive to get shit done under pressure. When instances arise during the day which test these qualities, I stay true to them to not feel guilt at day end.
8. High Day-end Energy Reserve:
My battery is still more than half full at the end of the day. I look forward to doing things after work rather than passing out on my couch watching Netflix due to lack of energy.
9. Tidy Workspace:
Leaving my workstation in a pristine condition for a fresh, clean start the next day. All extra print-outs shredded, all reports neatly stacked, all stationary in the container and a tissue swipe of the desk for good measure.
I have to confess, checking off all 9 items and carrying a wide smile at the end of the day, everyday is as rare as seeing a unicorn in my front lawn. We fail to get a sense of achievement due to distracting, adhoc requests and emails. Projects are slow to gather momentum. Our meetings tend to be rambling and aimless. Arguments and differences of opinions seem inevitable. Our email inbox is a mess and the mess just grows through the day. Gulping down large buckets of coffee seems to be the only way to last the day without a crashing. Feedback from our managers on where we messed up is ever-present and in the craziness of the day our desk is always a mess.
The aim of this blog is not perfection, it is to improve across all nine areas such that we can witness a noticeable improvement which propels our career one step at a time. Each improvement is a stepping stone towards a dream workday and a satisfying career. Lets see how close we can get to it!