Simplifying work life

[TxZen]

As I continue to simplify my life, my work life needs a major overhaul. This is going to sound like I am lazy but I am going to do the minimum necessary to keep working. I know. What are you thinking? Here is the thing. I usually go 1000 miles an hour and try to do everything- every committee, volunteering for every work supported event, spending a lot of time socializing with everyone and just trying to do it all. As I mentioned, I reached my enough a few months ago. I still want to contribute quality work but I need to take back some of my time and life. While this may seem a positive attribute, frankly, it’s wearing me out. I want to focus on my true tasks at work, I am allowing myself 1 event a month to attend and I keep socializing to 30 minutes during lunch time, in which I walk around a different area each day and check in. As a manager, I think this is enough. I have realized I am spending too much time not focusing on my work because of all these outliers. I am streamlining and it feels good.
I am also streamlining my office décor. I have 2 pillows, 1 for each chair, a vintage fan (I need circulation), I organized my binders into 2 colors, so it as pizzazz but cleans up my shelves and I removed a rug. I only have 2 pictures I need to frame and hang. I decluttered office supplies, moving the extras to the supply closet. I put my stapler, hole punch, pens, etc, in a larger drawer and it cleaned up my desk greatly. I am also bringing in some plants to add to my window and I have 1 digital picture frame on my desk. Done!!!

[iris lily]

Having a clean, uncluttered work space is essential to me.

And while this is merely anecdotal, I will say that over the years, the people who work for me and who have messy desks which may or may not include all sorts of personal crap spread over the top, are the poor producers. I can think of a couple of exceptions, but for the most part, people who cannot produce cannot even make good decisions on what to keep at their desk. To me, workspace organization indicates ability to prioritize.

Years ago there was a woman of retirement age, well into retirement age, who could not move anything off her desk, both work and physically. She also related long stories about having to clean out her parents house in another town and she was taking years doing it. She saved all kinds of things at her desk area and it was overflowing. Imagine my horror when my boss talked her into staying another year and then quit work, leaving me with the hoarder.

Her replacement took everything and threw it out. It all moved out within 3 days. That replacement person was very efficient. This approach to "things" was not a coincidence.

[pinkytoe]

I simplified my work "ethic" a long time ago. I see too many people, especially women for whatever reason, rushing around like their hair is on fire. I do need to do some tidying so will work on that this week.

[TxZen]

I think it's become cool to look busy but I find most of these people are not being productive. Just a lot of managing of "stuff" with no real outcome. I am getting off that bus.

[catherine]

IL: interesting association between mind and matter in the workplace. I can see that. Personally, I'm kind of in-between. I start out the day pretty simplified, but I am not a "linear" worker. I will start something, then go to something else, and so on, so at the end of the day, I may have paperwork for several different projects all over my desk. It's just the way I work, and I consider myself to be reasonably productive.

In terms of workplace busyiness, it's true that women seem to run around in circles more often, IMO anyway, perhaps because of a need to please, and because the bigger their basket the higher their perceived value to the company. But maybe I'm just projecting myself in that. I once won a big Employee of the Year award, and when they gave the testimonial the example they gave was not of one significant contribution to productivity, or winning a big client, or coming up with a big idea--it was because in one week I had pretty much managed to be in two places at once, spinning out a whirlwind of interviews, reports and presentations for two different clients on two different coasts (and on very little sleep).

GreenMama, maybe considering the Pareto Principle would help: 80% of the results comes from 20% of the effort. So where is that 20% for you? Can you cut out or miminize the low-yield stuff?

[TxZen]

I think part of it is I still have my drive but I refuse to compete anymore, if that makes sense. I am still a go getter but I think I have finally reeled in what I want to truly focus on.

I am letting go of the good ideas but I just don't have time nor the desire anymore. And I am ok with that. I have come a long with letting go of things.

It's funny you mention those awards because the last 2 were winners for being busy, nothing that really contributed. This is an interesting society we live in now.

That is part of my slow down- the busy stuff that is the low hanging fruit. I have tasked some stuff off and the rest, well it's not vital to my job, so I can let it go. This actually includes a pitch I gave to my CEO about 5 months ago. It's a back burner item but until they bring it up to me again or not, I am letting it go. I am also letting go of school. I just can't commit that time amount right now and maybe never. I just don't see it happening so why keep beating my head against that wall? Can I downsize it to a class here or there, yep, sure can. Such a nice place to be in.

[Lainey]

Sounds like you've already reached a pretty good balance, GreenMama. One thing that's helped me is to put a time limit on my participation, e.g., I will be a volunteer member for this association for one year. If at the end of that one year I decide to continue, then I will, but if not, then I'm free to move on to the next thing. Or, just relax.

I've been the object of people trying to guilt-trip me into continuing because most associations/churches/non-profits need as much help as they can get, but I've reminded myself that I've given many hours over the years to various endeavors, and now it's time for the next group to step up. And that's okay.

[iris lily]

We have this thread occasionally here about volunteering for organizations that do not deserve volunteers. So I have to mention this: with plant societies struggling for membership, now someone is trying to start up a national iris society that focuses on odd and unusual iris such as flatties, striped iris, space agers. Keep in mind that there are already all of these national iris societies:

Japanese
Siberian
Historic
Median (for standard dwarf, miniature, intermediates, etc)
Spuria
Louisiana
Tall Bearded
and those are just the sub-societies I can think of off the top of my head

No we do not need another iris society to nag us for article submissions, membership dues, participation at conventions, etc No. Stop the madness.

[Packy]

Iris/lily, I would like to have you Simplify further, when it comes to flowers such as Iris. Kind of in keeping with your practice of maintaining a tidy desk at the lirrrarry. Here's what you do: dig a hole, shove a bulb in, cover it up. Move to the next, and repeat. After that--forget about it. Let the flowers do the work, from now on. Don't waste time obsessing about them, joining organizations, driving alllll the way to shows, etc. They are just yard ornaments, nothing more. All there is to it.

[razz]

Packy, what you may not realize is that irises and lilies are the life blood or soul food for some people who go to great lengths to see the most beautiful hybrids and take great joy in their beauty but never, never just yard ornaments. :D

[iris lily]

Iris/lily, I would like to have you Simplify further, when it comes to flowers such as Iris. Kind of in keeping with your practice of maintaining a tidy desk at the lirrrarry. Here's what you do: dig a hole, shove a bulb in, cover it up. Move to the next, and repeat. After that--forget about it. Let the flowers do the work, from now on. Don't waste time obsessing about them, joining organizations, driving alllll the way to shows, etc. They are just yard ornaments, nothing more. All there is to it.

awww Packy, if only you could see my iris "farm" you'd be awestruck. Same for the lilies. Sure they are yard ornaments but they are better than most.

[shadowmoss]

I came into work last week (I work nights at a computer Network Operations Center) and saw one of the newer bosses (maybe 6 months?) who is my boss's boss office desk was totally cleared. I enjoy kidding with him, so almost went and put a sticker on his desk saying a clean desk is a sign of a misguided career. Later I found he his last day here had been on my days off. So, I was right, in a way. Just had cause and effect backwards.

[Rosemary]

I've been simplifying things to accommodate my new life as a student. Dropped several volunteer activities. One of them I strongly resisted dropping, but after I did it was such a huge relief... I hadn't realized how annoying it had become. Also, when it occurs to me that I could offer to do something, I stop before opening my mouth and think about whether I really want to do it. Usually the answer is no. It's not that I don't help anyone out anymore... I just pick and choose more carefully than I used to.